When the game was on the line, the Gilmer Bobcats performed.
While the varsity was on a bye week, the junior varsity Bobcats continued their season versus Union County. GHS hosted the Panthers last Thursday and trailed throughout, but the defense continually made plays in the second half to spark the comeback.
A Union fumble gave GHS the ball in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, and the Bobcats reached the goal line and added the conversion for a 14-13 victory.
The Bobcats focused their offensive efforts on their patented rushing attack. Halfbacks Memphis Lewallen and Rhett McGregor and fullback Landon Ledford received the bulk of the carries and were finally able to reach pay dirt in the second half.
Union led 7-0 at halftime, and the Cats got on the board with a 6-yard Lewallen touchdown run. The score was set up by defensive lineman Kenneth Balanno, who sacked the Tiger quarterback, stripped the football loose and recovered it.
Union held on to a 13-6 advantage entering the fourth. The Panthers lost the ball once more with three minutes left in the game, and Bobcat defensive lineman Jack Puckett pounced on it.
GHS took over at the Panthers’ 16, and Ledford was the one to breach the goal line from 3 yards out. He added the two-point conversion for a one-point lead with 1:56 left in the game.
The Panthers were able to move down field, and advanced to Gilmer’s 20-yard line with 12 seconds remaining. The Bobcat defense rose to the occasion and got the stop needed to secure the win.
Lewllan was the top ground gainer for GHS. He finished with 117 yards on 16 attempts. McGregor carried eight times for 69 yards, and Ledford added 62 on 18 rushes.
Gilmer is 2-1 and hosts Lumpkin County Thursday at 5:30 p.m.