Gilmer Routes Raiders: 28-7

Featured Stories, Team FYN Sports

The Gilmer High School Bobcats football team traveled to Southeast Whitfield High School to take on the Raiders; however, it was the Bobcats who pillaged and plundered, as Gilmer got a 28-7 road victory.The game began with Raiders receiving the opening kick-off and starting on SEW nine yard line after a penalty on the return.

The Raiders moved the ball to midfield before the GHS defense forced a punt that Garrett Ridgon returned to the Gilmer 38 yard line.

The Bobcats took over with a heavy dose of the run game as Russell Cochran four straight times, including a 24 yarder that Gave Gilmer a first down on the SEW 18 yard line.

After SEW sack was wiped out by an offsides penalty, Cochran picked up a first down then an eight yard touchdown to put Gilmer up 6-0 with 5:05 left in the first quarter after a missed extra point.

On the ensuing possession the Gilmer defense forced a three and out and the Bobcats’ offense took over on the Gilmer 20 yard line.

The offense again moved the ball, easily, this time through the air as Thaddeus Bowers hauled in a 37 yard bomb from quarterback, Chris James, on second and four that set up a first down on the SEW 42 yard line.

Cochran followed with a first down run that put Gilmer on the SEW 26. Bowers scored on a 26 yard quick screen on two plays later; however, it was called back due to holding penalty. Bowers was undeterred as he pulled off an amazing one hand grab for a 29 yard touchdown that put Gilmer 13-0 with 1:20 left in the first quarter after a Rodrigo Casas extra point.

The next Raiders’ offensive drive saw the home team move the ball deep into Gilmer territory; however, a sack from Lucas Bramlett on third and seven from the GHS 14 set up a fourth and 24 for the SEW offense.

The Raiders tried a fake field goal that ended in an incompletion, that was followed by an unsportsmanlike penalty accessed on SEW, giving Gilmer possession at almost midfield. However, the “Cats” could not capitalize punted back to the Raiders.

The Raiders took over possession on the SEW 20 yard line with 4:33 left in the first half of play. The Raiders on the legs of dynamic quarterback, Will Swantic, moved the ball again deep into Gilmer territory before back to back sacks from Bramlett and then the combination of Kameron Engler and Jake Ingram set up a third and long for the Raiders.

A quick screen that was destroyed by Bramlett, set up a fourth and 19 from the GHS 34 with 37 seconds left in the half. The Raiders tried a reverse pass on fourth down that was picked off by Chad Watkins, securing Gilmer’s 13-0 half time lead.

The Gilmer offense began the second half on the Bobcats’ own 35 after the opening kick-off went out of bounds; however, fumble deep in Raiders’ territory set up SEW on its own 20 yard line. The Gilmer defense responded with a three and out, allowing Gilmer to take over possession a few yards short of SEW territory.

After a hold put Gilmer in a second and 19 situation, Bowers came up big again, with a 20 yard reception that gave Gilmer a first and 10 on the SEW 42 yard line.

Garrett Ridgon’s 28 yard reception on third and eight set up a Gilmer first down on the SEW 11 yard line.

Two plays later, a Chris James ball bounced off the defender’s back and into Bowers’ hands giving Gilmer an eight yard TD pass and reception and a 21-0 lead with 5:57 left in the third after a successful two point conversion saw Watkins rush in for two.

The ensuing drive saw the Raiders mount an offensive attack, as SEW drove 80 yards eventually scoring on a 24 yard touchdown run, that cut the Gilmer lead to 21-7 with 4:15 left in the third quarter.

The quarter closed with the score the same and Gilmer moving the ball, aided by a pass interference on fourth down, the Gilmer drive ended with a Watkins 16 yard scamper that put Gilmer up 28-7 with 9:33 left in the game.

The next Raiders’ possession saw SEW move the ball down to the Gilmer eight yard line, before a huge sack by Shane Bowman set up a second goal on the GHS 18. Two incompletions later, resulted in the Bobcats’ offense taking over with 5:40 left in the game and running out the clock, securing the 28-7 win.

After the game, head coach, Wesley Tankersley, offensive lineman, Garrett Sellers, Rigdon and Bowers all spoke to FYN briefly about the victory.

Wesley Tankersley Post Game Interview

Garrett Sellers Post Game Interview

Garrett Rigdon Post Game Interview

Thaddeus Bowers Post Game Interview

The Bobcats next face Lafayette in the last regular season home game.

Back to Top