The Gilmer High School Bobcat junior varsity football team traveled to Dawson County to take on the Tigers. In a closely contested game, the Tigers took the victory, winning 14-12.The game began as a defensive battle, with neither team getting on the scoreboard in the first half. The beginning of the first half saw that change quickly, as the Tigers took the kick off back to the house to take a 6-0 lead, after a missed extra point, 20 seconds into the second half.

The Bobcats on the ensuing drive. A 23 yard reception on third and seven by Josh White put the Bobcats’ offense on the Gilmer 42 yard line. After converting a fourth down, the Bobcats continued to move the ball, and aided by a pass interference, saw the offense with a first and ten on the Dawson County 22.

Quarterback, Tyler Buntin, gave Gilmer a first and goal from the three, with a 19 yard scamper. Running back, Matthew Waddell, scored the game tying touchdown. The score remained 6-6 with 3:00 minutes left in the third after the extra point attempt was blocked.

The Tigers got tamed by Gilmer’s defense on the next drive, as the “Cats” allowed only one first down and garnered a sack from Buntin and a big third down stop from Bryson Totherow.

The ensuing drive saw the Bobcats take the lead, on Buntin’s four yard keeper on fourth down that capped a 70 yard drive. With 5:09 left in the game, the “Cats” led 12-6 after an unsuccessful conversion attempt.

The Tigers took the lead for good with a 55 yard touchdown run on the next drive with a successful two point conversion that put Dawson up 14-12 with 4:20 left in the game.

The “Cats” could not convert on fourth down, as the Dawson defense held strong. The Gilmer defense responded with a three and out that gave Gilmer the ball back with 48.3 left in the game; however, after the Dawson punt team downed the ball at the Gilmer six, and the “Cats” could not come back.