MARIETTA - Early turnovers are often hazardous.

Wheeler learned that the hard way Friday night against Lassiter. The Wildcats lost five fumbles at the line of scrimmage - three coming in the first quarter - and the Trojans wasted no time using a short field to run up the score. They were ahead four touchdowns by the end of the first quarter and increased their lead after the first play of the second before securing a 42-7 victory at Corky Kell Stadium.

"I was pleased with the way we came out and played," Lassiter coach Chip Lindsey said. "Wheeler made mistakes and we capitalized."

The Wildcats (0-5, 0-4 in Region 6AAAAA), who have now lost their last 16 games, made changes on offense and had Sentavious Bryant still making his transition as the starting quarterback.

Bryant finished with 63 passing yards and 38 rushing yards and orchestrated a 12-play, 73-yard touchdown drive early in the second quarter, but the game was already well in the Trojans' hands.

Wheeler lost its first fumble on the first play of its second drive after its defense held Lassiter (5-0, 4-0) deep in its own territory. The Trojans answered with an eight-play drive that culminated with a 1-yard plunge by Tyrin Jones.

When the Wildcats got the ball back, they lost another fumble on the first play. Lassiter quarterback Hutson Mason threw the first of his four touchdown passes - a 21-yard strike to Cody Johnson - to give Lassiter a 20-0 cushion after a failed extra point.

Wheeler's ensuing drive resulted in another lost fumble, and the Trojans scored their fourth touchdown of the quarter on the next play when Mason found Trey Graham for a 31-yard touchdown.

On the first play of the second quarter, Wheeler couldn't stop the bleeding. The Wildcats fumbled on a pitch and Lassiter chased the ball into the Wheeler end zone, where linebacker Rip Rowen fell on top of it.

Mason played the first half for Lassiter, going 8-of-14 for 114 yards. Jones led the Trojans in receiving yards with 71 on four catches.

After Bryant drove Wheeler to its only touchdown, he completed a 27-yard pass to Derrick Frye before scoring from 1 yard out on a quarterback sneak, Lassiter capped its scoring two plays later on a 29-yard touchdown pass from Mason to Jones.

The game was on a running clock in the second half and neither team scored.

"We're trying some new (players) on offense," Wheeler coach Tom Flugum said. "We made mistakes, but we started clicking better in the second half and we have to build on that."