The junior varsity matchup between the Gilmer Bobcats and White County had no shortage when it came to offensive production.
GHS had a bevy of backs to bolster its option offense, which built leads in both halves. Of course the second mattered most, and Gilmer secured a 20-point lead before the Warriors cut the Cats’ margin of victory to 42-38.
Gilmer’s offense produced 339 rushing yards, but it was slow getting started with a fumble on the opening drive. The Warriors’ offense turned it into a touchdown for a 6-0 lead.
GHS answered with Heath Hice’s 55-yard touchdown and Landon Hamby’s extra point. The Bobcat defense then held on fourth down, and the offense strung together a 10-play, 68-yard drive. Hunter Newhart took the ball across the goal line from 5 yards out, and GHS led 13-6 after a blocked extra point.
Bobcat Brier Jones forced a fumble and snatched it up at midfield. The Bobcats reached the end zone six plays later when Lian Hup broke loose for a 28-yard touchdown run. Kashaine Perigo’s point after pushed Gilmer’s lead to 14.
WCHS drew within seven points before halftime with a jump ball thrown into the end zone. A Warrior came down with it and the Cats led 20-14.
A WCHS 30-yard touchdown pass evened the score in the third. GHS then drove 64 yards and Hice capped the nine-play series with a 3-yard touchdown run. His two-point conversion gave GHS a 28-20 edge.
White went to the air again on its next possession, and a 64-yard touchdown pass drew the Warriors within two after the failed conversion.
Gilmer’s emphatic response came on the next offensive play when quarterback Slade Smith scored on a 76-yard keeper. Silas West punched in the conversion and the Cats were ahead 36-26.
Treven Brown was a menace for the Bobcats, and his third sack resulted in a fumble on White’s next drive. Parker Settel recovered the ball for GHS at White’s 28. Hice reached pay dirt six plays later on a 2-yard dive for a 42-26 advantage.
WCHS continued to fight back and the Warriors scored two more touchdowns. The final was a bomb into the end zone to draw within four by game’s end.
Hice finished with 106 yards rushing on 13 carries, while Smith added 88, West rushed for 63, Hup tallied 43 and Newhart had 21. Brown was in the Warriors’ backfield constantly and made four sacks and seven total tackles.