MARIETTA - Hutson Mason accounted for five touchdowns, and his Trojan defense supported him with a pair of timely interceptions, as Lassiter completed its regular season undefeated and with a Region 6AAAAA title following a 42-25 victory over Roswell on Friday at a jam-packed Frank Fillmann Stadium.

Mason said that when he was named the Trojans' starting quarterback as a junior in 2008, he never imagined finding such success. The senior was 22-for-29 in the air for 272 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran 11 times for 50 yards, including a game-capping 29-yard touchdown run.

Coach Chip Lindsey praised the quarterback's performance, but said it was the defense that made the difference for ninth-ranked Lassiter (10-0, 9-0), which has won 13 straight regular-season games.

"Hutson did what he usually does," Lindsay said. "Rip Rowan made a great run on the interception. I can't say enough. It was just a great team effort.

"Really, our defense played great. We put them in bad positions to give up touchdowns twice on short fields, but they did great. Really, it's just a total team effort."

Mason, who connected with seven different receivers, said he settled in after the Trojans got the first score.

"That first drive we didn't get the ball, but we got a turnover and that was absolutely huge," he said. "Our defense was absolutely lights-out, and that's what we expect from them, because they are one of the best defenses in the state. It's just like how they depend on us. That's part of the bond and unity of this team. It was nothing that wasn't expected."

Lassiter will open the playoffs next week by hosting North Forsyth, the No. 4 seed from Region 7AAAAA, in the first round.

Roswell (9-1, 8-1) won the coin flip Friday and elected to receive to open the game. After three short runs, Hornets quarterback Brian Hickman put the ball in the air on third-and-long, only to have it picked off by Coray Carlson, giving Lassiter possession on the Roswell 30.

Going for it twice on fourth down, the Trojans moved the ball to the 6-yard line. From there, Mason needed just one attempt to find Jimmy Mayer in the end zone. The extra point by Alex Hanks made it 7-0.

Lassiter's defense did its part on Roswell's next series and forced a punt. The Trojans' offense took over on their own 20, but promptly turned the ball back over to the Hornets with a fumble on the first play.

Roswell needed just one play to even the score as Duvall Smith charged 27 yards for a touchdown. Richie Leone's point after made it 7-all.

Trying not to be outdone, the Trojans quickly made another strike. A pair of passes moved the ball to the Lassiter 45 and from there, Mason connected with Griffin Roelle on a short pass that the running back turned into the longest play of the night - a 55-yard touchdown.

On a possession that bridged the first and second quarters, Roswell failed to even the score and settled for a 24-yard field goal by Leone. Lassiter had a chance to add to its lead before fumbling on the Roswell 1-yard line and the 14-10 score held through the first half.

Lassiter added a touchdown just 3 minutes into the second half. Three straight completions - including a 44-yard pass to Roelle - set up the Trojans' score. It was once more Roelle, who finished the night with five catches for 136 yards, on the receiving end of the 7-yard pass from Mason.

"I tried my best to make sure (Mason) looks good," Roelle said, "and I think I did that. It was fun. I loved every minute of it. I just did everything I could."

Roswell responded with a touchdown of its own just 5 minutes later. Keegan Hughes took a pass from Brian Hickman to the end zone to bring the Hornets within striking distance, 21-17. Furthering the pressure on the Trojans, Roswell attempted an onside kick, but the ball went out of bounds and the Trojans took over on the Roswell 42.

After a pair of incompletions brought up third-and-10, the Trojans got a little help from Roswell. A late hit out of bounds, combined with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, moved Lassiter up 30 yards for a first down on the 12. One play later, the Trojans were celebrating in the end zone as Mayer pulled in his second touchdown pass of the game.

With Roswell fighting to stay in the game early in the fourth quarter, Lassiter's defense nearly wrapped up the game. Hickman forced a pass through the middle and it was Rip Rowan who came away with the ball - taking it 50 yards for a touchdown that made the score 35-17

The Hornets were able to add another touchdown off another Lassiter fumble, but the game was over when they failed to recover their second onside kick attempt. Instead, it was the Trojans who tacked on a late touchdown with Mason's 29-yard scamper with 48 seconds left in the game.

Tyrin Jones was also key to the Trojans' success. The freshman caught seven passes for 57 yards and carried the ball 10 times for another 56 yards.

Lindsey lauded the first 10-0 regular season in school history, as well as the region title.

"I'm excited for these guys," he said. "This is the first time they've ever experienced anything like this. I'm just proud of them."