GAINESVILLE — Pinecrest Academy’s offense struggled to reach the end zone Friday night. The defense did not.

The Paladins’ secondary returned two interceptions for touchdowns, keying a 21-14 victory against Riverside Military Academy in the season opener at Maginnis Field.

Pinecrest (1-0) forced five turnovers in the game.

"One of the strengths of our team is our defensive back corps," Pinecrest coach Charles Wiggins said.

"They just played outstanding tonight. They took over the ball game."

Pinecrest junior Jimmy Strom put the visitors on top in the first quarter using his hands and legs instead of his arm.

With the Eagles (0-1) pinned deep in their own territory, Strom — the Paladins starting quarterback — showed his skills as a defensive back, intercepting a pass from Riverside quarterback Colin Pettell and taking it 17 yards to the end zone. Chris Birozes’ extra point gave Pinecrest an early 7-0 lead.

It looked as if the Eagles would recover well from that mistake, quickly tying the game on a 63-yard touchdown pass from Pettell (17-of-34, 202 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT) to Adrian Humphery. Humphery, who joined the team just three days before the first game, finished with 75 yards on four receptions.

But the Paladins reclaimed the lead for good late in the first half, after Strom (10-of-18, 136 yards passing) connected on a 26-yard deflected pass on third down to put the ball at the 1 yard-line. Running back Jacob Carr punched it in and Birozes added the point after to put Pinecrest ahead 14-7.

The Paladins churned out 105 yards on the ground — led by J.P. Metz (22 carries, 59 yards rushing) — but were largely limited on offense. The Eagles’ defense allowed just 220 yards and came up with three sacks and three forced fumbles.

"I wouldn’t say we were out-matched, but they have a good defensive line and we just couldn’t move the ball," Wiggins said. "We stayed ahead of the game and tried to not make stupid mistakes."

Metz, a linebacker on defense, tacked on an insurance touchdown in the third quarter, mimicking Strom’s first quarter pick-six with a 24-yard interception return for a touchdown which boosted the lead to 21-7.

That score proved critical, as Pettell added another touchdown pass to Quinton Young — a 28-yard score — early in the fourth quarter, pulling the Eagles within seven points.

Young led the team in receiving with 83 yards.

John DePalma was Pinecrest’s top receiver with three catches for 74 yards.

For Pinecrest, the season-opening victory was a dramatic change from 2010. It took six tries for the Paladins to earn their first win last season — their first in the Georgia High School Association.

"Last year’s team is basically the same team that’s here this year," said Wiggins, who lost only four seniors to graduation.

"They got a lot of playing time and got beat up a lot [last season], but they know what it’s about now and they know how to handle the pressure. They seem to be enjoying themselves and they’re playing good football."

Pinecrest returns home to face George Walton Academy on Friday.