The White County Warriors did just enough to escape Ellijay with a junior varsity football win over the Gilmer Bobcats.
GHS hosted WCHS last Thursday and while the Bobcats won the turnover battle, they fell short on the scoreboard. Gilmer led by six at the half. The teams combined for touchdowns on three straight second half possessions, and it was the Warriors’ successful two-point conversion that made the difference for a 14-12 win.
GHS received the ball to begin the game and punted. White spread the field with receivers but stuck to the ground to do most of its damage. The drive started at their 4-yard line after a good punt, but a fumble ended the brief drive and Tyler Kirkland was there to recover for the Cats.
It took Gilmer three plays to score from White’s 6 and Hunter Watkins took the ball across the goal line for a 2-yard score. The two-point conversion failed, and GHS led 6-0 with 2:47 left in the first quarter.
White’s next drive was short-lived as well and ended when Will Kiker made an interception on a deep pass. After exchanging punts, GHS fumbled on its last drive of the half and went into the break ahead, 6-0.
GHS punted on its first two drives of the second half and White scored a touchdown on its second possession. From its 40, the Warriors needed three plays to reach pay dirt. Facing third down and 12, White’s quarterback kept the ball on a 62-yard option read through the middle of the Cats’ defense.
The Warriors’ next drive ended with a Bryson Daniel interception, and GHS took over at its 25. Watkins rushed six straight times to move Gilmer to White’s 37. Mason Smith then gained 2 yards to set up fourth down and five before Watkins ran for 6 yards and a first down.
Three plays layer, Watkins took the ball into the end zone around the right side for a 17-yard score. The 12-play drive moved GHS ahead, 12-6. The conversion failed and there was still 4:32 left on the clock.
White needed four plays to cover 76 yards. A Warrior running back took a jet sweep around the right edge and raced 61 yards for a touchdown. The successful conversion made the score 14-12 with 3:15 to play.
GHS was held on downs and received a final possession starting at White’s 38 with 13 seconds left in the game. Watkins moved from wingback to quarterback and after a pair of incompletions, he connected with Smith for a 14-yard gain as time expired.
The JV will be back on Pettit Field Thursday to take on Union County. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m.