Three Gilmer rec football teams will continue their seasons in the playoffs.
The regular season concluded last Saturday, and the 11-under Bobcats remain undefeated at 6-0. Their latest win came against the Dawson County Tigers, 37-0.
Gilmer’s 6U wrapped up its season with a 39-0 pasting of Copper Basin. Remaining Gilmer teams suffered losses, which included 7U versus White County (37-0), 9U against Union County (28-0) and 10U versus Union County (22-0).
11U still perfect
The 11U Bobcats notched their win over Dawson by attacking on the ground and through the air while playing opportunistic defense.
Gilmer scored touchdowns on four of six first half possessions and added a defensive score. By the second half, a running clock was used because of point differential.
A.J. Callihan recovered the opening onside kick for Gilmer. Following a Peyton Chancey rush for 16 yards, Bubba Callihan burst through the middle of the Tigers’ defense for a 28-yard touchdown run.
Gilmer led 7-0 before both teams had drives that ended on downs. Gilmer’s third drive needed just one play. Chancey motored around the left edge and cut inside a defender for a 57-yard touchdown, and Gilmer quickly led, 13-0.
A.J. Callihan was there again to secure the onside kick, but Gilmer’s possession stalled at Dawson’s 40. Gilmer’s offense quickly returned to the field when Bubba Callihan stripped the ball from a Tiger running back and Chancey recovered.
The Bobcats put together their longest drive of the day, which covered 69 yards on six plays. Gilmer completed three passes on the drive prior to A.J. Callihan’s 19-yard touchdown run.
Gilmer led 19-0 with 2:08 in the half but still had more scoring in mind.
After holding Dawson on downs, Gilmer took over at its 49. On the first play of the drive, quarterback Jace McCollum hit Bubba Callihan in stride out of the back field. The 51-yard touchdown pass moved Gilmer ahead, 25-0.
When Dawson went to the air before the half, cornerback Mason West snagged an interception and returned it 57 yards for another Bobcat touchdown.
The second half began with Gilmer leading, 31-0. The Cats’ three-play drive ended when Bubba Callihan bulled his way through the Tigers for a 31-yard touchdown.
The conversion failed but Gilmer’s 37-0 lead was plenty. The Tigers’ next drive was halted by a McCollum interception, and the clock quickly ticked away over the remainder of the game.
The 11U Bobcats will host Dawson once more Saturday in the opening round of the playoffs at 12:30 p.m. at Huff-Mosley Memorial Stadium.
Also at home will be Gilmer’s 10U, who is seeded fourth and will meet top seeded White County at 11 a.m. The fourth seeded 7U Bobcats will make their way to Lumpkin County to take on Chestatee at 11 a.m.