Lumpkin County led for 35 seconds, and that is all the Indians needed.
The Gilmer High Bobcats hosted LCHS last Friday for homecoming, and its high-octane offense was on display once again. However, a costly penalty and turnover helped keep Lumpkin in the game. The Indians were able to put a drive together in the waning moments to come away with a 31-28 win.
“We had a great football game between two pretty good teams, and we unfortunately came out on the short end of the stick in a hard-fought game,” said head coach Paul Standard. “I thought our kids played their hearts out, and their kids played their hearts out. It was an ugly game in a sense because there were a lot of penalties. Some were warranted and correct and some were not.”
The game was chippy in the first half and Standard voiced his displeasure to officials on two occasions after plays happened right in front of Gilmer’s bench. One play left linebacker Aspen Hataway on the ground for several minutes. In the second quarter, receiver Bryson Daniel was ejected for a hit that appeared to be clean.
Standard said, “Officiating did not cause us to lose the game. (It came down to) our inability to make some plays at certain times and obviously we have to secure the football. Like I told our young men, they’re winners. We’re playing the ultimate team sport, and one play does not decide a game.”
GHS had another stellar offensive night with 348 rushing yards on 49 attempts. Halfbacks Hunter Watkins and Will Kiker led the way with 158 and 146 yards, respectively.
Gilmer drove downfield to begin the game, but Connor Seim’s 38-yard field goal attempt was wide. After an Indian punt, Gilmer’s quick strike offense took center stage.
GHS scored on three straight possessions, none needed more than three plays, and they spanned 63, 69 and 73 yards. Those drives ended with a Watkins’ 62-yard touchdown gallop followed by Kiker’s touchdown runs of 62 and 58 yards.
Lumpkin’s shotgun offense responded with a score of its own on each occasion. Its first was a seven-play, 72-yard drive that ended with a 20-yard touchdown run by tailback Mason Sullens.
Cal Faulkner hauled in a 19-yard touchdown pass to cap a two-play, 25-yard series following a kickoff return deep into GHS territory. The Indians’ third scoring drive was 11 plays and just 15 yards. LCHS benefited from another threatening kickoff return but settled for a 35-yard field goal.
Leading 21-17 with 5:52 left in the half, Gilmer’s offense returned to the field. On first down, Daniel landed a big hit with his shoulder on LCHS linebacker’s chest, which sent him to the ground. The hit drew a flag from the line judge farthest from the hit. A few seconds after the Lumpkin player hit the ground, the head referee threw his flag as well.
After a brief discussion, Daniel was ejected. Gilmer’s offense gathered itself, and on the seventh play, Kiker broke loose for a 57-yard touchdown. However, a Bobcat block behind the play resulted in a personal foul, and the touchdown was nullified. GHS eventually punted and led by four at the half.
LCHS received the second half kickoff, and Kiker was there for an interception. He returned it 42 yards to Lumpkin’s 30, and Gilmer needed just five plays to score. Watkins added his second touchdown from 8 yards out. Seim’s fourth successful extra point moved GHS ahead, 28-17, with 5:45 left in the third quarter.
Lumpkin answered with a touchdown. The biggest play of the drive came on fourth down and 18 at Gilmer’s 41. Quarterback Cooper Scott completed a 29-yard pass to the 12. Sullens scored a 6-yard touchdown on third down to cap the 12-play, 67-yard drive.
Leading 28-24, GHS was forced to punt. However, Sulllens soon fumbled and Blane Banks recovered for GHS. Gilmer took over on Lumpkin’s 45 with 5:34 remaining in the game. After picking up a first down and advancing to the Indians’ 29, Bobcat Brock Titus fumbled and Lumpkin recovered.
The Indians returned the fumble to Gilmer’s 41 and LCHS rushed 10 straight times. The final carry was a conversion on fourth down and one from Gilmer’s 16. Sullens scored on the draw play for a 31-28 lead with only 35 seconds on the clock.
GHS desperately tried to move downfield on its final possession. Quarterback Issac Rellinger scrambled for 18 yards before GHS had a final play remaining from its 43. Rellinger completed a pass to Kiker, and after advancing into LCHS territory, he fumbled and Lumpkin recovered with no time left on the clock.
The loss dropped the Cats’ record to 5-2 overall and 2-1 in region play.
Players of the game included Mason Smith (defense), Kyler Norton (offense), Kiker and Watkins (two-way players), Seim (special teams) and scout team players Jackson Martinez, Hunter Britain, Noah Davis and Will Bingham.
“I thought we played with tremendous heart and emotion, we just came up on the short end,” Standard said. “There were a series of things that we did that helped us to not win the game, again, starting with the head coach. On the other hand, there were some great things that happened in the game that really gave us a great chance to win.”
Standard added, “Bottom line is, if we want to win a region championship, I want our guys to believe in that and not just give it lip service. You can get in with one loss, but I don’t think you’re going to be a region champion with two losses.”
GHS travels to Jasper Friday to face rival Pickens (1-5) at 7:30 p.m.