The Gilmer Bobcats deployed a ball control attack and were still in the football game late in the second half.
GHS made its way to Cherokee Bluff High School last Friday to meet the undefeated Bears for a rainy Region 7-3A opener.
Possessions were limited as rushing attacks took center stage and the clock ran for most of the night. CBHS took a one score lead into the break and GHS drew within a point midway through the third quarter. However, the Bears added touchdowns over their final two possessions to notch a 21-6 victory.
“We did a really good job with our game plan,” said GHS coach Kevin Saunders. “The coaches came up with a good game plan, offense especially, and the kids followed it. We can be pretty good when we do things the right way. We played a really good team undermanned and had a chance to win.”
Gilmer was missing four starters, which included offensive lineman Dylan Shope and two-way players Cameron Weaver (defensive lineman and tight end), Gray McClure (wingback and linebacker) and Will Bradburn (offensive and defensive line).
Both teams were content with keeping the ball on the ground under soggy conditions. Just four passes were attempted on the night, and the Bobcats only threw it once.
Gilmer maintained possession for over 32 of the game’s 48 minutes, and its opening possession took 9:51 off the clock.
Wingback Kobe Stonecipher had another 100-plus yard rushing performance with 128. He and fullback Ashton White handled all of the carriers on Gilmer’s first drive, which lasted 14 plays. However, GHS came up empty-handed as Adolfo Bautista’s 33-yard field goal attempt was short.
The Bears relied on running backs Jayquan Smith and Charles Tolbert, who accounted for 117 and 138 rushing yards, respectively. Cherokee Bluff’s heralded receiver and cornerback Shad Dabney left the game on Gilmer’s first possession and never returned.
Cherokee Bluff’s first drive began at its 20, and it hit a snag after crossing midfield. A holding penalty and a quarterback sack by Bobcats Kyle Allison and White resulted in a 14-yard loss.
CBHS punted, and Gilmer’s next drive milked 7:34 off the clock. GHS ran 11 plays and gained three first downs. The drive was highlighted by a 33-yard rush by Stonecipher and a 25-yard scamper by quarterback Spenser Smith.
The drive stalled when Smith was brought down for an 8-yard loss on fourth down and six from the 17.
The Bears took over with 2:56 to play before the half. CBHS used seven plays to reach the end zone and break the scoreless tie. After crossing midfield with four rushes, a play action pass resulted in a 33-yard completion from quarterback Sebastian Irons to tight end Eric Gohman.
Smith scored from 4 yards out to cap the 64-yard drive.
CBHS led 7-0, and Bobcat senior Kanaan Walker returned the ensuing kickoff all the way to the Bears’ 39. GHS took the field offensively with 1:11 to play before the half and one time-out. Saunders opted to rush twice before letting the final 30 seconds of the half tick away.
He later discussed his reasoning, saying, “We were playing really well, and I just didn’t want to risk a turnover right there. They’re very explosive, and I just didn’t want to take a chance. We were playing well, and I felt good about where we were.
“Maybe if things had been different we may have taken a shot, but the ball was wet and you’re playing on a wet field, and I just didn’t want to throw an interception. We were having a hard time beating their DBs. They were manned up on us and very physical.”
Cherokee Bluff received the ball to begin the second half and achieved one first down. Bobcat senior Dawson Stephens was there to make a tackle for a loss and the Bears also suffered a 10-yard set back with a penalty to stall the possession.
CBHS punted, but the snap sailed over the punter’s head for a 15-yard loss. GHS took over at the Bears’ 10 and scored from 4 yards away when Stonecipher ran into the end zone. The extra point attempt shot under the crossbar and Cherokee Bluff led 7-6 with 7:43 to play in the third quarter.
Smith and Tolbert swapped all nine carries on the Bears’ next drive, which covered 65 yards. The final rush was a 5-yard touchdown run by Tolbert up the middle.
Down 14-6 in the wanning minutes of the third, GHS took over but was forced to punt after taking 4:48 off the clock.
It took the Bears three plays to score the game’s final touchdown. Tolbert took a first down hand-off around the right side for a 64-yard gallop to conclude the 75-yard drive.
Trailing 21-6 with 8:19 to play, GHS went to work once more. Isaiah Sharp joined Stonecipher, White and Smith in the rushing game and picked up 19 yards on four attempts. The 13-play possession drained 7:49 off the clock but GHS was held out of the end zone once more as the drive ended at the Bears’ 16.
CBHS killed the clock after regaining possession.
“The physicality we played with was really good,” Saunders said. “We were very physical, and I was pleased with that. We need to learn to stay on blocks longer on offense. Defensively, we have to do a better job of setting the edge and not get caught peeking into the backfield.
“We played fairly solid. We still have to do a better job with our kickoff and our kicking game wasn’t terrible. Our return and punting game were good, we just have to do a better job of kicking.”
Gilmer will host Lumpkin County Friday for homecoming. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.