For nearly three quarters, it seemed like it was going to be Gilmer’s night.
The Bobcats hosted Ridgeland for senior night last Friday, and the explosive Panthers were held in check for much of the game. However, RHS clawed its way back from a 14-point deficit and scored 24 unanswered points in the second half. Ridgeland added a late field goal for three insurance points and came away with a 31-21 victory.
GHS coach Kevin Saunders discussed the Bobcats’ performance afterward and what they were up against.
“Ridgeland is the most athletic team we’ve played all year, and we played them tooth and nail,” he said. “We battled for four quarters, and I can’t fault our kids and how hard we played.
“Our kids played as good as they could have. We did our best not letting them get in space, and defensively, we played really hard. This team (Gilmer) gave up 401 points in 10 games last year. We have given up (206) this season.”
Last year’s game against the Panthers was a track meet as they raced up and down the field and beat GHS by 50 points.
Ridgeland may have sensed it was up against a different team shortly after kickoff. Bobcat Kobe Stonecipher returned the opening kick deep into RHS territory, but a holding penalty at midfield brought the ball back to Gilmer’s 40.
Seth Darling got the start at quarterback after Spenser Smith was injured against Northwest Whitfield a week prior.
Fullback Ashton White and wingbacks Gray McClure and Stonecipher handled the carries on the first drive as GHS gained two first downs and progressed toward the end zone.
But on fourth down and one from the nine, the Panthers stopped White for a short loss. GHS forced a Ridgeland punt and began its first scoring drive from its 33.
On the drive’s third play, Stonecipher broke a 39-yard run to the Panthers’ 24. After a 5-yard penalty, Darling dropped back for a pass. His toss was pulled down by a leaping Braden Jenkins, who broke a tackle and reached the end zone for a 29-yard score.
The four-play drive was capped by Adolfo Bautista’s successful extra point to give GHS a 7-0 lead with 4:38 left in the opening quarter.
The Panthers fielded three running backs on most downs and preferred to keep the ball on the ground. Their second possession was a four-play scoring drive and aided by a 15-yard Bobcat penalty. Jordan Blackwell raced 41 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter to even the score.
Gilmer’s next drive began at its 20, and the Cats picked up three first downs. The Cats converted two third downs on the drive, which included a 21-yard completion to Stonecipher. But on first down at Ridgeland’s 38, GHS fumbled and lost the ball.
The Panthers’ third drive began at its 33, and they soon lost one of their top players. On the drive’s sixth play, Blackwell was injured, left the game midway through the second quarter and did not return.
Panther seniors Terrance Roberts and Torrance Roberts stepped in during Blackwell’s absence and proved to be a capable duo. Torrance Roberts broke a 42-yard touchdown run on the ensuing play after Blackwell’s injury, but the score was negated because of a holding penalty.
The infraction was costly as Gilmer’s defense held and RHS turned the ball over on downs at the Cats’ 28.
GHS needed eight plays for its second touchdown. McClure rushed four times for 46 yards, White totaled 24 on four attempts, and Gilmer moved downfield and gained five first downs. On first and goal from the three, White took the ball across the goal line.
Bautista’s extra point made it 14-7 in the Cats’ favor entering halftime.
RHS started to run a no-huddle offense to begin the second half. The Panthers moved into GHS territory, but the Cats’ defense dug in, and Ridgeland turned the ball over on downs at Gilmer’s 39.
McClure churned out 16 yards on first play of the drive to move the Cats across midfield. Facing an eventual fourth down and two, Ridgeland jumped offside, and Gilmer got a first down at the Panthers’ 32.
Darling then converted the second fourth down of the drive when he ran around the left end for 11 yards. After White’s 13-yard run to the nine, Stonecipher scored three plays later on a 6-yard rush where he broke a tackle around the right edge.
The 12-play drive took 5:49 off the clock, and GHS led 21-7 with 3:17 left in the third quarter.
RHS then started its comeback and scored on each of its last four possessions while limiting Gilmer to one first down over the remainder of the game. The Cats’ final three full possessions ended with two punts and a fumble.
The Panthers needed just three plays and a 15-yard GHS penalty to traverse 62 yards. Terrance Roberts lined up a quarterback and took the shotgun snap into the end zone for a 3-yard score.
Down 21-14, Ridgeland’s next drive took eight plays, and the Roberts twins did all of the running. The 67-yard possession ended with a 4-yard touchdown by Terrance Roberts.
The score tied the game at 21-all with 9:19 to play.
The Panthers’ final touchdown drive lasted six plays and began at Gilmer’s 48. Terrance Roberts reached paydirt once more with a 24-yard burst through the heart of Gilmer’s defense.
RHS led for the first time with 4:26 left in the game, 28-21.
On the third play of the Cats’ next possession, Darling was feeling the effects of a hand injury and could not gather the snap and Ridgeland recovered the fumble. Darling played much of the second half with the injury, and the turnover was his final play of the game.
The Panthers’ last drive lasted eight plays as time ticked away. They eventually settled for a 41-yard field goal by Connor Middleton, and GHS could not do anything once it received possession with 42 seconds to play.
“It was a great effort,” Saunders said. “Our guys come to play, and we’re not an easy game by any means. We were physical and just have to keep getting better. We’ve laid a great foundation for this football program, and I think the future looks great.”
Though the playoffs are out of reach, Saunders is confident Gilmer will come out ready Friday.
“We just have to keep playing,” he said. “Our kids are going to come out and play hard. There’s not a doubt in my mind; that’s just how we are. They’ve laid the foundation down the way it’s supposed to be done and they take pride in it.”
Injury update
Neither Darling or Smith will play Friday, and freshman Will Kiker is expected to start at quarterback.
Defender Kyle Allison, who missed two games earlier in the season because of a shoulder injury, re-aggravated it against Ridgeland and is doubtful to play Friday versus LaFayette.
Lineman Patrick Danforth is expected to return to action. He has been sidelined since he was injured in week two against Towns County.
Friday’s kickoff at LaFayette is set for 7:30 p.m.