Gilmer High welcomed the Wesleyan Wolves to the region by handing them a loss.
The GHS Bobcats hosted Wesleyan last Friday to begin their Region 7-3A football schedule. Gilmer’s offense could not be stopped as it piled up 339 rushing yards. The Bobcats extended their lead to 21 points before a late Wesleyan touchdown made the final 35-20 in Gilmer’s favor.
The runaway victory improved the Cats’ record to 4-1 on the season.
“I felt like it was a complete game tonight,” said head coach Paul Standard. “We didn’t play perfect, but we won all three phases (offense, defense and special teams). You think if you win two (phases) you have a really good chance. We won all three against a well-coached team. I know they’re a little down for them, but that’s a good football team and coach (Franklin) Pridgen is a great coach.”
Like Gilmer, Wesleyan did not play a week prior following a decisive loss.
“They’re coming off a tough loss like we were. They were off last week, so two weeks ago we both got thumped pretty good,” Standard said. “We both had to lick our wounds. I’m so proud of our kids because they came in Monday after the Ringgold loss knowing it was an off week and we practiced hard.”
Gilmer’s running game had plenty of yards to go around. Halfbacks Will Kiker and Hunter Watkins rushed for 133 and 64 yards, respectively, while fullback Brock Titus hit the middle of Wesleyan’s defense for 88 more. Quarterback Issac Rellinger added 51 rushing yards and 27 through the air as GHS eclipsed 350 yards of offense for the third time this season.
“I thought Issac operated and read the option really well,” said Standard. “Our three backs ... wow. And that offensive line, I thought they took over.”
Wesleyan quarterback Ben Brown threw for 207 yards, but the Wolves were held to 25 rushing yards on the night. Bobcat linebacker Kendall Sanders was there for a pair of quarterback sacks, and defensive backs Watkins, Kyle Cowart and Mason Smith each broke up two passes.
“It was great preparation by the staff and the kids,” Standard said. “I thought our defense played tremendous. We’re a little undersized on defense, but our guys fight like crazy. I thought Jeff Nelson and his guys had a great game plan. Coach (P.G.) Standard and the offensive guys had a great plan, too.”
Wesleyan punted to start the game and pinned GHS at its 2-yard line. The Cats put together a 14-play, 98-yard scoring drive that took 6:08 off the clock. The Wolves received a steady dose of Titus, Kiker and Watkins, and Rellinger connected with the latter on a 20-yard pass for a third down conversion early in the drive.
GHS then faced fourth down and 2 from its 45 before Titus burst through the line for a 31-yard run. Following runs by Kiker and Watkins, Rellinger kept the ball for a 15-yard run to advance to the Wolves’ 2.
Watkins scored from a yard out, and Connor Seim made his first of five extra points for a 7-0 GHS lead.
Wesleyan’s shotgun spread attack found most of its success through the air. Its second drive needed seven plays to cover 65 yards, and all of the positive yardage came via passing. The biggest completion was a 29-yard pass to Jamie Tremble to advance to the Cats’ 12. They scored two plays later on a 12-yard pass to Thomas Cook.
GHS led 7-6 after the failed extra point, but the Wolves’ offense would soon be back on the field. On Gilmer’s second play of its next series, Watkins fumbled and Wesleyan took over at Gilmer’s 1. It took them three plays to score, and they enjoyed a 14-7 lead at the start of the second quarter.
Kiker returned the ensuing kickoff to the Wolves’ 47. GHS needed nine plays this time, and Watkins breached the goal line from 2 yards out off the right side to even the score.
Wesleyan was forced to punt after three offensive plays, and the Cats were in business at their 48. GHS only needed three plays this time. Kiker took a pitch off the left edge and got a block from Watkins before racing for a 37-yard touchdown.
Wesleyan put a 10-play drive together as it quickly passed down field. However, a missed 45-yard field goal saw GHS enjoy a 21-14 halftime lead.
Possessions were limited in the second half as the Bobcats’ two scoring drives ate up valuable time. On another threatening Kiker kickoff return, the Wolves were flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct and GHS started at their 35.
It took nine plays, and this time it was Titus who scored from 3 yards away for a 28-14 edge.
Wesleyan punted back to GHS, and the Cats had 75 yards between them and the goal line. Gilmer embarked on a punishing driver that included 17 runs and one pass. The march took 11:28 off the clock, and Kiker scored a 1-yard touchdown as the Cats’ extended their lead to 35-14 with 7:34 left in the game.
The Wolves completed six passes to move 72 yards on their ensuing nine-play series. Tremble hauled in a 10-yard pass for the Wolves’ final points.
GHS got the ball back and drained the final 5:02 off the clock as the offense refused to be stopped.
The Bobcats will continue region play Thursday at West Hall (1-4). The game was rescheduled from Friday, and kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.