Bobcats Bumrush: Ramblers Routed 62-27

Featured Stories, Team FYN Sports

The Gilmer High School Bobcats football team hosted the Lafayette Ramblers on “Senior Night.” The Ramblers entered the game 2-6 on the season and 0-4 in Region 7-AAAA. Conversely the home team was 6-1 and 3-1. The “Cats” cruised to victory, lambasting Lafayette 62-27, largely on the legs of Russell Cochran who rushed for a school record 319 yards and five touchdowns.The “Cats” scratched early as Garrett Rigdon took an opening “pooch” kick to the house, scoring on the first play of the game. 11 seconds into the game and Gilmer led 6-0 after a missed extra point.

After a short squib kick the Ramblers took over on offense; however the drive did not last long, as Thaddeus Bowers picked off the first pass of the game on the first offensive play of the game.

The Gilmer offense was unable to capitalize after picking up one first down, and had to punt back to the Ramblers.

Despite starting in shadow of the Lafayette end zone on the seven yard line, the Ramblers moved the ball down to the Gilmer 35 yard line before the Gilmer defense forced a punt. Jake Ingram blocked the punt and Chad Watkins returned it for a touchdown, putting the Bobcats in front 13-0 after a Rodrigo Casas extra point.

On the ensuing drive, the Ramblers rumbled 76 yards in seven plays, scoring on a 41 yard quick screen pass that cut Gilmer’s lead to 13-6. The lead stayed at seven, thanks to the defense stuffing the Ramblers’ two point attempt.

The Gilmer offense took over on its own 35 after a fair catch on the kick return. After picking up a quick first down and moving into Rambler territory, via the no huddle attack, the Bobcats’ stalled again after a holding call, bringing the punt team onto the field.

The Rambler returner muffed the punt, which Lucas Bramlett recovered on the four yard line. Russell Cochran punched the ball in on the next play, putting the Bobcats up 20-6 with 2:06 left in the first quarter.

The quarter ended with the score the same and the Ramblers moving into Gilmer territory. Lafayette was able to keep the drive alive and scored on a nine yard touchdown pass and reception to cut the Gilmer lead to seven, 20-13, with 10:30 left in the first half.

28 seconds of game play later, the lead was back up to 14, 27-13, as Cochran broke out again, this time for a 60 yard touchdown run.

The Gilmer defense forced a three and out and punt; however a fumble recovered by Lafayette gave the Ramblers the ball back with 8:08 left in the first half. A post play personal foul called on Gilmer gave the Ramblers the ball on the Bobcats’ 15 yard line.

The Gilmer defense held strong, aided by back to back sacks, the first coming from the combination of Bramlett and Noah Wilson, the second coming from Austin Lacy. An incompletion on third down followed by a missed field goal gave Gilmer the ball back on the Bobcat’s 20 with 5:19 left in the half.

Two plays and 27 second of game play later, the “Cats” clutched a 34-13 lead as Cochran raced 74 yards, some might say he moved to fast for focus, to the end zone.

The Ramblers of Lafayette refused to lay down. Taking over on offense on the Lafayette 37 after a squib kick, Lafayette marched the 63 yard to the end zone scoring on a four yard touchdown run to cut the lead back down to 14, 34-20 with 2:35 left in the half.

After a touchback on the kickoff, the Bobcats’ offense took over, and despite not having any time outs, came out committed to the run game. After three straight Cochran carries, the Bobcats had a first and 10 on the Gilmer 43.

An encroachment call, followed by a personal foul (facemask) penalty on the defense gave Gilmer a first and 10 on the Ramblers’ 34 yard line with just under a minute left in the half. A pass caught by Rigdon in the end zone was ruled out of bounds and the Bobcats faced a second and 10 with 51.5 left in the half.

Quarterback, Chris James, raced 28 yards around the right side, going out of bounds at the Lafayette six yard line and stopping the clock with 15.9 left on the clock.

On the next play, James connected with Rigdon for a six yard touchdown pass and reception that gave Gilmer a 41-20 half time lead.

The Ramblers, aided by a long kickoff return that started the offense on the Lafayette 45, quickly moved into Gilmer territory on the first drive of the second half; however, the drive came to a screeching halt when Wilson picked off a pass and returned it to the Lafayette 34 yard line.

Three plays later, James connected with Bowers for a 33 yard touchdown pass and reception that put Gilmer up 48-20 with 9:14 left in the third quarter.

The next Lafayette drive saw the Ramblers again moved the ball deep into Gilmer territory all the way to the Bobcats’ 20; however, after four straight incomplete passes, the Ramblers turned the ball over on downs with 5:37 left in the half.

The ensuing drive was one play long, as Cochran once again raced to the end zone, this time on an 80 yard scamper that increased the lead to 55-20 with 5:18 left in the third quarter.

The Gilmer defense again answered the call on the next drive, as Bowers picked off his second pass on the night on a third and 17, giving Gilmer the ball on the Bobcats’ 47 with 4:09 left in the third.

Fittingly enough, five plays later, Cochran scored his fifth touchdown of the day, to put Gilmer up 62-20 and usher in the back ups and younger players as the third came to a close.

The fourth quarter saw a running clock and the Ramblers score once more for the final score of 62-27. The win puts the Bobcats at 7-1 on the season and 4-1 in Region 7-AAAA and guarantees Gilmer a spot in the playoffs.

After the game, head coach, Wesley Tankersley and Cochran spoke with FYN about the win.

Gilmer next faces Pickens High School, who sports identical overall and Region 7-AAAA records. The winner of that game is likely the Region-Runner Up and a host of a home playoff game.

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