Lumpkin County won the opening coin toss and not much else.
The Gilmer High Bobcats hosted the Indians for homecoming last Friday and put the game away immediately. GHS scored touchdowns on all seven of its offensive possessions in the first half and added two more scores defensively.
A running clock greeted both teams in the second half as GHS reserves took the field and completed the Bobcats’ 62-7 obliteration of the Indians.
While Gilmer was the favorite, the Bobcats exceeded head coach Kevin Saunders’ outlook.
“I didn’t expect it to be like that,” he said after the game. “We played really fast. We came out and got after it and were physical and played really well. Kobe’s (Stonecipher) first two carries were for more than 100 yards. Last week, I thought we did some really good things (versus Cherokee Bluff) and it just keeps carrying over.”
GHS was a model of efficiency on both sides of the ball. On five occasions, the Bobcats scored a touchdown on the first play of the possession.
Two Lumpkin passes were intercepted and returned for GHS touchdowns. When Gilmer’s first team defense was on the field in the first half, it allowed just 12 yards of total offense and forced a punt after three offensive plays five times.
Gilmer’s first offensive play concluded with Stonecipher standing in the end zone after a 73-yard touchdown run. The Bobcats’ next offensive play saw Stonecipher race 45 yards to pay dirt to give GHS a 14-0 lead just 2:14 into the game.
Gilmer’s next two drives required the most plays on the night. The first was a 38-yard drive that took eight plays and ended when quarterback Spenser Smith kept the ball for a 5-yard score through the middle of the Indians’ defense.
The Bobcats’ next scoring drive lasted five plays and started at Lumpkin’s 26 after a solid punt return by Smith. Stonecipher capped the possession with an 8-yard touchdown run. Adolfo Bautista’s extra point made the score 28-0 in Gilmer’s favor a mere 16 seconds into the second quarter.
On the first play of the next possession, Smith found receiver Seth Darling across the middle for a 50-yard touchdown toss. On the third play of Lumpkin’s ensuing drive, Bobcat linebacker Braden Jenkins intercepted a pass and returned it 21 yards for a touchdown.
Down 42-0 with eight minutes to play in the half, Lumpkin punted for a fifth time. GHS fullback Ashton White then burst through the middle of Lumpkin’s defense on first down. He outran a pair of defensive backs for a 69-yard touchdown jaunt.
LCHS then turned the ball over on downs. Bobcat wingback Isaiah Sharp took a first down hand-off 34 yards and across the goal line for Gilmer’s final offensive touchdown. It made the score 55-0 with 7:16 still on the clock.
A good kick return set up the Indians with threatening field position at Gilmer’s 39. However, a fourth down pass from the 16 was intercepted by GHS safety Hunter Watkins and returned 91 yards for a touchdown and 62-0 Bobcat lead.
“We needed a game like this,” Saunders said. “When was the last time Gilmer scored 62 points in a half and that’s something to be said. We really weren’t even trying (to run up the score), we were just doing our thing. It’s something good for our kids.”
The clock ran continuously in the second half and LCHS scored against GHS back-ups. They put together a 10-play drive that covered 64 yards.
But on the Indians’ final possession, the Bobcat defense held strong on fourth and goal from the 2-yard line to deny Lumpkin anymore points.
Stonecipher topped 100 rushing yards for the fourth time this season and finished with 140 on five attempts. He did not run the ball after the first quarter.
GHS held Lumpkin to 148 yards total offense with 136 coming in the second half.
Gilmer will travel to Dawson County Friday. The Tigers were one of the favorites to win the region at the start of the season and have won two games in a row after playing a nonregion schedule against schools from larger classifications.
“We’re looking forward to it ... king of the mountain,” Saunders said. “All next week is, is an opportunity.”
Kickoff in Dawsonville is set for 7:30 p.m.
JV Cats down East Jackson
The JV Bobcats hosted East Jackson last Thursday and earned a 12-8 victory.
Turnovers plagued the Bobcats and they committed five on the day. However, GHS was still able to garner a 6-0 halftime lead and its touchdown was scored from a yard away by Brock Titus.
East Jackson finally scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter and an ensuing Bobcat safety allowed them to take an 8-6 lead.
GHS recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff. The Cats drove 40 yards but were stopped on the goal line. Gilmer recovered another fumble with 55 seconds to play and drove 60 yards for the win.
Bobcats Bryson Daniel and Mason Smith both hauled in receptions for big gains and GHS benefited from a pass interference. Titus scored the go-ahead touchdown for a 12-6 Bobcat win.