The Gilmer Bobcats hosted Dawson County last Friday, and the visiting Tigers proved to be unruly homecoming guests.
Dawson had a capable running and passing attack that kept GHS off balance all night and scored on six of seven first-half possessions to build a formidable lead. Gilmer was tasked with playing from behind all game and were unable to catch the Tigers in a 52-21 defeat.
“I think our defense is giving us everything they’ve got. We’re just a little out-manned right now in some areas,” said head coach Paul Standard. “We’ve got the best boys playing, and I’m proud of them. I can promise you this isn’t from a lack of effort from the kids and coaches.”
The Bobcats continue to go through some growing pains and were bolstered Friday by the return of injured starters. However, Dominic Tarantino, the team’s leading receiver and tackler, missed the game with an illness.
“We got some guys back. They were probably a little rusty but made some plays. We didn’t have Dominic, but we just got beat by a better team tonight. Hopefully, we have everybody back next week,” Standard said.
“We just have to keep battling and keep working. I don’t know any other way to go about it. I’m practicing them the same way I have teams in the past. I know our kids are working, they’re putting in the time and they’re putting in the hours. We just have to eliminate some mistakes.”
Dawson’s hurry-up offense was operated by quarterback Zacchaeus Holtzclaw, who was an accurate passer with dependable targets. DCHS attempted 24 passes but kept GHS honest with 22 rushes.
The Tigers’ size and experience on its front lines gave GHS issues. Dawson plugged the middle of the Cats’ offensive line, and quarterback Seth Darling was Gilmer’s leading ground gainer with 89 yards.
Dawson was only forced to punt once in each half and began the game by scoring 17 unanswered points. Their first drive covered 66 yards on six plays and ended with a 2-yard touchdown run by tailback Conley Dyer.
The next drive was three plays and 44 yards and concluded with a 31-yard touchdown pass for a 14-0 lead with 6:56 left in the first.
DCHS received a short field next when Darling was unable to handle the snap from his punter position. Gilmer’s defense held, and the Tigers had to settle for a 35-yard field goal.
Gilmer’s third drive was set up at its 47 after a good kick return by Hunter Watkins. Fullback Brock Titus hit the middle for runs of 2 and 4 yards before Darling gained 7 to the Tigers’ 40-yard line. On the ensuing play, Darling kept the ball through the right side and raced to the end zone.
Talyn Curtis’ extra point cut the Tigers’ lead to 17-7 with two minutes left in the opening quarter.
After a pair of completions by Holtzclaw when the Tiger’s offense returned to the field, running back Jackson Grindle ran for a 49-yard touchdown on the drive’s fifth play. The possession spanned 63 yards and DCHS led 24-7 to end the first quarter.
GHS answered with its second touchdown that began at its 31. The drive was highlighted by a 44-yard run by Darling that advanced GHS to the Tigers’ 12. Two plays later on the sixth play of the possession, Darling completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to tight end Blake Reece.
Gilmer trailed 24-14 with nine minutes left in the half, and Dawson added 14 more points. The Tigers’ next drive needed seven plays to move 65 yards and ended with a 28-yard touchdown catch by Dominic Leblanc.
Ahead 31-14, Dawson’s final score culminated with a 38-yard touchdown pass to Bailey Dameron. The drive needed five plays and tallied 67 yards for a 38-14 lead at the half.
DCHS opted for an onside kick to start the third quarter. GHS recovered but punted and Dawson took over at its 45. On the drive’s seventh play, a 19-yard Grindle run added six more points, and DCHS led 45-14 following the extra point.
The Tigers were still out for blood, and pelted a line-drive kick at a Bobcat in Gilmer’s front line. The kick met its mark and Dawson recovered. The Bobcat defense held, and the teams exchanged punts. Dawson’s final score needed seven plays, and the 41-yard drive ended with a 7-yard touchdown run.
Gilmer’s last possession of the game got underway at its 31. GHS moved across midfield with a 38-yard pass to Bryson Daniel. The eight-play drive was capped by a 4-yard touchdown run by Kobe Stonecipher.
With a running clock in place, the final seconds ticked away before GHS was able to kickoff.
The loss dropped GHS to 0-3 in region play and 2-4 overall.
“One of my biggest concerns is how we’ve come out in the second half the last three weeks and haven’t been very good. That’s not good and not the norm, so I’ve got to figure that out,” Standard said.
“The bottom line is, and this sounds like a cliche, but it was just the way I was taught. You get up and go to work no matter how bad things are. Our kids aren’t going to quit, and we’re not going to let them. In the immediate though, we’ve got to stop making the same mistakes. That’s my job as a coach, and I’ve got to figure that out.”
Gilmer will travel to region leading North Hall (5-2) Friday for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.