The Gilmer Bobcats earned their second region win by lambasting the LaFayette Ramblers.
GHS was in LaFayette last Friday, and the winless Ramblers continued their fruitless season. The Bobcat rushing attack hit its stride early, and GHS built a four-score lead at the half.
Over the final two quarters, Gilmer’s offense continued to hum, and the defense forced three turnovers. A running clock was instituted before game’s end as GHS won handily, 48-7.
Head coach Paul Standard was happy to see the Bobcats take care of business against an opponent who is experiencing a rough season.
“I thought our kids played hard. It didn’t take long to figure out their situation is not that strong, and I’m sure they’ll get better as the years go on. It’s easy for teenagers to allow that to affect how they play, but they didn’t. I was proud of them for that,” he said.
“We had some good individual efforts. (Sophomore linebacker) Peyton Chancey had a good game on defense (with two forced fumbles and recoveries, 10 total tackles and a quarterback sack). Hunter Britain played really well on both sides of the ball (with 190 rushing yards and three pass breakups). The offensive line played well and the quarterback (Issac Rellinger) directed the offense. We had a couple interceptions, so it was a good night.”
GHS had another banner rushing day and finished with 382 yards. Five of Gilmer’s eight scoring drives needed four plays or less to reach the end zone. The defense handled the rest and limited the Ramblers to 132 yards of total offense while forcing four turnovers.
Britain’s 190-yard day came on just seven carries and could have been even more explosive. On the third play of the game, Britain took an option pitch for what appeared to be a 64-yard touchdown. A penalty erased the six points from the scoreboard, but it was not nearly enough to slow GHS.
Two plays later, Britain broke loose on the option for 28 yards to move into LHS territory. Fullback Wyatt Stokes and wingback Douglas Callihan were there for 16 yards apiece on the ground. Stokes’ 8-yard touchdown run capped the nine-play, 75-yard series.
Carter Gearhart converted his first of five extra points for a 7-0 GHS lead.
LaFayette’s best drive while starters were on the field came next. The Ramblers gained three first downs, but their 37-yard field goal attempt was wide left.
Gilmer’s lone punt of the game followed, and LHS was back on offense at the Cats’ 35-yard line. After a tackle for a loss by Jack Puckett and Memphis Lewallen, Chancey made his impact on the game. Immediately following a shotgun hand-off, Chancey hit a LaFayette running back to jar the ball loose. He picked up the ball and returned it 45 yards to LaFayette’s 21.
Two plays later, Rellinger passed to a wide open Rhett McGregor down the seam. The senior receiver was uncovered on the 19-yard touchdown grab for a 14-0 lead less than a minute into the second quarter.
LHS punted and Gilmer’s offense took over at its 21. GHS needed just three plays to score, and Britain scorched the defense for a 57-yard option around the right edge on first down. Runs of 4 and 7 yards by Stokes followed, and the latter put six more points on the board.
Trailing 21-0, LHS found a glimmer of offensive success, but the drive stalled at Gilmer’s 35. With just 1:44 on the clock, GHS put together its second nine-play drive of the half. The Cats went back to the air to reach the end zone, and this time Callihan hauled in a wheel route for a 34-yard touchdown reception.
The second half was much of the same, and LHS punted to begin the third quarter. Britain broke another long run on first down, and no one caught him this time. He took a hand-off to the right and cut through the line and into the heart of LaFayette’s defense. As he made his way downfield, he picked up a block from receiver Riley Duggan before waltzing into the end zone for a 69-yard touchdown.
Down 35-0, LHS head coach Ethan Thompson did not permit a running clock, and the Rambler offense promptly fumbled again. Chancey was the culprit with his second forced fumble and recovery, and Gilmer took over at the Ramblers’ 30.
With mostly junior varsity players on offense, Gilmer scored in four plays. Sophomore fullback Landon Ledford moved GHS ahead 42-0 with a 7-yard run.
LHS starters strung together a 10-play, 62-yard touchdown drive against GHS reserves. The score trimmed Gilmer’s lead to 42-7 with 1:46 remaining in the quarter.
The Cats were held on downs, but took nearly eight minutes off the clock. LaFayette’s offense ended its night with two more turnovers. GHS linebacker Chaz Curtis was there for an interception, and safety Jett Burrell picked off the Ramblers’ final pass of the game.
Following Curtis’ interception, Gilmer’s last touchdown drive covered 18 yards on four plays. Ledford’s 4-yard touchdown accounted for the game’s final points.
Next up for the Bobcats is No. 8 ranked Calhoun, who is 4-3 overall and undefeated against region opponents.
“They have a really good football team,” Standard said. “They’re well-coached, play hard and have good size. They have things moving in the right direction, and it’s going to be a great challenge and great opportunity for our guys.
“They haven’t played anyone like us (offensively), which I think is an advantage for us. Hopefully, we can keep doing what we’ve done the past couple weeks without turning the ball over. Defensively, we’ve gotten better, and we’ll have to be on our toes. They have some good skill guys who can really go.”
Friday’s kickoff at Huff-Mosley Memorial Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m.