Three Gilmer teams hit the gridiron for the Mountain Football League’s semifinals, and one will play for a title this week.
Last Saturday’s semifinals were held at Fannin County and Gilmer high schools. The 10-under Bobcats topped the Union County Panthers 28-12 at Huff-Mosley Memorial Stadium and will make a return to the MFL’s Super Bowl.
Gilmer’s 8U and 9U teams played in Fannin and both were defeated. The 8U Cats lost to Pickens 32-0, and Gilmer’s 9U dropped its game to Union, 30-0.
The 10U Bobcats did not waste any time in their victory. Blake Grizzle and Peyton Chancey gave Gilmer a punishing rushing tandem while A.J. Callihan kept the Panthers honest on the edge.
Gilmer’s first drive began at its 40, and a 26-yard run by Grizzle set the Cats up at Union’s 1-yard line. Chancey scored on the next play and Gilmer led 7-0 after a successful conversion.
The Panthers’ first two drives stalled on downs in Gilmer territory. The Bobcats’ second drive concluded with a punt. Gilmer’s third possession ended quickly when Chancey took a handoff 82 yards to paydirt.
Gilmer led 13-0 with 3:48 to play in the half, and Union went to the air to cut into the Cats’ lead. The Panthers’ 49-yard drive culminated with a 40-yard touchdown pass.
Chancey returned the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, but penalties negated the score, and Gilmer led 13-0 at the break.
Union received possession to begin the third quarter, but could not field the onside kick.
Gilmer recovered at the Panthers’ 49. Following a pair of Callihan runs that moved Gilmer farther into Union territory, Grizzle raced 27 yards to the end zone. Chancey’s conversion increased the Cats’ lead to 21-6.
The Panthers went back to the air and completed two passes on its next drive, and the latter was an 8-yard touchdown. Bobcat Riley Duggan intercepted the conversion pass, and Gilmer held on to a 21-12 advantage with 2:36 left in the third.
The Cats fumbled on its next drive, and Union started at its 44. Following a pair of first down passes, Union went to the air once more. But this time, Chancey intercepted the pass and returned it 42 yards to the Panthers’ 48.
Chancey and Grizzle swapped carriers to drain the fourth-quarter clock. A Chancey rush progressed Gilmer to the three, and Grizzle covered the final yards needed for the touchdown and also took the conversion across the goal line for a 28-12 lead with just 1:47 to play.
Gilmer will face Chestatee Saturday at White County High School to decide the 10U championship.
Pickens seized control of the 8U game at the end of the first quarter with a 24-yard touchdown run. The Dragons’ next score was a 42-yard gallop, and following a Bobcat fumble, Pickens surged ahead 19-0 with a 37-yard run.
Bobcat Heath Hice broke loose for a 70-yard touchdown run when Gilmer took over offensively. However, a Bobcat was flagged for a block in the back during the run even though it appeared the Dragon defender fell on his own without any contact.
The penalty erased the score, and Gilmer fumbled moments later as Pickens led 19-0 at the half.
A 26-yard touchdown added more points to the Dragons’ tally in the third, and a running clock was initiated. The Dragons scored a final touchdown in the fourth.
The 9U Bobcats were tasked with stopping the Panthers’ quarterback and running back, who proved to be a formidable tandem. A 73-yard touchdown run gave Union a 6-0 edge just minutes into the game.
The Cats had troubles offensively and punted for the first time when they received possession. Union responded with another score and led 12-0 at the start of the second quarter.
Union added a third touchdown and led 18-0 at the half. The Panthers tacked on six more points with a 47-yard touchdown pass to begin the third quarter.
Ahead by 24, Union scored a final touchdown in the fourth.