The Gilmer Bobcats’ playoff hopes were all but dashed last Friday.
GHS traveled to meet the West Hall Spartans and the Bobcats were tasked with trying to slow a well-balanced attack. West Hall found success through the air but kept GHS honest with a pair of capable running backs.
The Cats trailed by a touchdown at the half and were shut out over the final two quarters. West Hall added three more touchdowns including two in the fourth quarter for a 35-7 victory.
Gilmer coach Kevin Saunders discussed the loss and the Bobcats’ play, which appeared uninspired at times.
“I’m to blame. We wanted more effort than what we saw, but that’s my fault,” he said. “I don’t know what it was; maybe the long bus ride? We haven’t recovered from Dawson (two weeks prior). They beat us so bad (35-0) it’s carried over. We lost all our confidence, and we don’t want to listen a whole lot.
“I’m not making excuses, but the offseason hurt us not having a spring or full summer. Those things hurt way more than I thought they would.”
West Hall ran its offense out of the shotgun and had four receivers on the field most plays. They attempted 27 passes compared to 26 rushes, and when running back Alijah Porchia went down with an injury on the opening drive, Josiah Henriques filled the void.
Tilil Blackwell gave the Spartans a one-two punch on the ground while quarterback Clayton Jenkins proved to be dependable through the air.
The Bobcats stuck to the ground for most of the night and that is where they gained all 148 yards.
The teams traded punts to begin the game before the Spartans put a 82-yard, 16-play drive together. They mixed the run and pass and converted three of four third downs on the drive.
When facing fourth down from the 14, Henriques ran for 6 yards and a first down. Blackwell scored from 5 yards out two plays later to cap the possession that lasted 5:08.
GHS responded with a 14-play scoring march. Wingbacks Kobe Stonecipher and Spenser Smith and fullback Ashton White were Gilmer’s weapons of choice. GHS gained five first downs on the drive, and one came when quarterback Seth Darling kept the ball for a 3-yard sneak on fourth down from the Spartans’ 39.
Stonecipher carried three more times on the drive for 27 yards, and the final 6 were needed for Gilmer’s lone touchdown of the night. Adolfo Bautista converted the extra point to tie the score at 7-all with 5:02 left in the half.
Gilmer’s defense forced West Hall to punt after three offensive plays. However, Smith could not corral the punt after signaling a fair catch, and the Spartans took over at Gilmer’s 30. A 14-yard completion was followed by two Blackwell rushes for 8 yards each and the last carry resulted in a touchdown.
GHS was forced to punt on its next drive, and Darling was intercepted on the Cats’ last possession of the half.
Gilmer punted on its first three drives of the second half. Its last three ended with a fumble and pair of turnovers on downs. On those six possessions, Gilmer gained four first downs.
West Hall received a GHS punt and started its opening drive of the half at its 22. WHHS picked up four first downs and the seven-play drive concluded with a 20-yard touchdown run by Henriques.
West Hall led 21-7 with 10:54 left in the game when it began its next scoring drive. Following a 17-yard pass to tight end Andrew Malin, Jenkins connected with Rodrigo Lopez in the corner of the end zone for a an 11-yard touchdown.
Behind 28-7 with 9:59 on the clock, White fumbled on Gilmer’s first play of its ensuing possession. Jenkins completed a second down pass to Nick Strum, who broke two tackles down the sideline for a 41-yard touchdown and 35-7 lead.
There was still 9:14 left in the game, but Gilmer was unable to cut into the Spartans’ lead.
GHS has two games remaining. It will wrap up its region schedule Friday against White County. The Bobcats will host Union County the following Friday to end their season.
When asked what he can do to get the team motivated over the final two weeks, Saunders said, “I don’t know. I thought they’d be going tonight. I don’t know.
“This is a different bird than I’m used to. They wait for something bad to happen, and that’s on me. That’s my job (to fix). I have to do a better job coaching somehow. I love them to death, and I’m just going to have to do a better job coaching.”
Kickoff Friday is set for 7:30 p.m.