It was the battle of wing-T offenses when Gilmer and North Hall met last Friday.
The GHS Bobcats hosted the Trojans, and the region matchup had playoff implications as both are looking to advance to the postseason.
Gilmer was able to grind it out on the ground while North Hall used explosive plays to reach pay dirt. The Cats trailed by a touchdown at the break but were held in check in the second half.
The Trojans added two more scores to come away with a 33-13 victory.
North Hall racked up 372 rushing yards on 39 carries and continually attacked the outside for big gains. Wingback Clark Howell led the way with 232 yards rushing and four touchdowns on 22 attempts.
“They couldn’t run inside and got everything outside,” GHS coach Kevin Saunders said. “We just couldn’t get the edge set against them and my hat’s off to them.
“Our kids played really hard and did a lot of things well but couldn’t catch a break. We’re trying to build a program, not a team. We have to keep getting better and we will.”
Gilmer unveiled some offensive changes versus the Trojans. Seth Darling replaced Spenser Smith at quarterback, and fullback Ashton White moved to guard for an injured Will Bradburn. Smith made the switch to one of the wingback positions, which shifted Gray McClure to fullback.
“I thought it really helped,” Saunders said. “We got some kids banged up so we had to move some around the best we could. I thought they did a good job on offense and did a lot of things well.”
GHS achieved 11 first downs in the game and nine came in the first half. Gilmer embarked on a 13-play march from its 33-yard line to begin the game. The quartet of wingback Kobe Stonecipher, McClure, Smith and Darling handled the carries.
After crossing midfield, McClure had rushes of 10 and 16 yards, and Smith ran for 12 more to set up first down from the 16. Another 10-yard pickup by Smith was followed by a 3-yard run by McClure to give GHS first and goal from the 3.
Stonecipher received the ensuing carry for a touchdown. Adolfo Bautista’s extra point gave GHS a 7-0 lead and the drive took 6:57 off the clock.
The Trojans answered with a two-play, 73-yard possession. Quarterback Bradford Puryear slipped through Gilmer’s line on a belly keeper and raced 72 yards to the end zone.
GHS moved the ball 52 yards on nine rushes on its next drive. A 27-yard run by Stonecipher was a highlight, but Gilmer stalled at the Trojans’ 21.
Howell began to gash GHS when North Hall took over. Gilmer was flagged for 20 yards in penalties while Howell had rushes of 17 and 15 yards to move into Bobcat territory. On the fourth play, Howell took a quick pitch around the left edge before making a defender miss for a 29-yard touchdown.
The drive covered 79 yards and North Hall led 14-7 1:30 into the second quarter.
After the teams exchanged punts, GHS took over at its 20. The Cats faced third down and 12, and Darling found Stonecipher down the left side line where he made a leaping catch for 20 yards and a first down. Gilmer crossed midfield when the Trojans committed pass interference, but a holding penalty moved the Cats back to their 39.
Darling dropped back once again on third down, and this time he connected with Kanaan Walker, who also out jumped a defender before racing to the end zone. The 61-yard completion capped the six-play drive.
Bautista’s extra point attempt was blocked, and GHS trailed 14-13 with 2:15 left in the half.
North Hall went back to its quick pitch off the left edge. Howell rushed two more times, and his final carry covered 44 yards for a touchdown. The score capped the 63-yard possession.
North Hall led 21-13 at halftime and received the ball to begin the third quarter. The Howell show continued, and he handled all four carries on the 61-yard drive. A 47-yard quick pitch around the left side once more concluded with Howell in the end zone. The Trojans led 27-13 after its scoring drive that lasted 1:10.
North Hall’s second possessions of the half ended with a 33-yard missed field goal. Their ensuing drive added six more points. It covered 46 yards on nine rushes. Howell tested the outside while fullback Kevin Rochester found success up the middle.
The Trojans scored the final touchdown of the night with a power run by Howell off the right side for a 5-yard touchdown. North Hall led 33-13 with 9:24 left in the game.
GHS was held to two first downs in the second half. The Cats were forced to punt twice and turned the ball over on downs two more times to end the game.
Darling did however hit another big gain through the air on Gilmer’s final drive when he connected with Smith out of the back field. The completion gained 66 yards and Smith was brought down at the 5, but GHS was held on fourth down from the 1-yard line.
Gilmer is currently in fifth place and will need to finish strong to have an opportunity to reach the postseason.
“If we win the next two we have a shot at making the playoffs,” Saunders said. “Who would have thought in two years we’d be talking about making the playoffs after going to a new region that is really good? I’m proud of the way our kids played and I love them to death. They did a good job tonight.”
Kickoff at West Hall Friday is set for 7:30 p.m.