It was a debacle in Dalton, as the Gilmer High School Bobcats football team traveled to Dalton to take on the Catamounts of Dalton High School. The home team thoroughly thrashed the visitors, as the Catamounts brought the thunder to the Gilmer “Cats” 35-7. The Catamounts mounted a vicious ground game that saw Gilmer down 28-0 before the Bobcats could respond.

Remembering 9/11
(Photo by LT Melton)

The Catamounts cradled a surprise on side kick by Gilmer to begin the game in Gilmer territory. A few plays later, Dalton running back Tre Beck scored the first touchdown of the night on the ground, putting the home team up 7-0, after the successful point after attempt.

On the subsequent possession, the Bobcats were unable to move the ball and punted back to Dalton after three plays. On the second play of the next Dalton drive, defensive back Connor Webber came within in a cat hair’s breath of causing catastrophe for the Catamounts when he dropped an interception that would have clearly been returned for a touchdown. Never the less, the Bobcats’ defense held and forced a punt.

Gilmer gained minimal yards in three plays, and once again had to put back to Dalton. A holding call on Dalton put them in second and twenty. The penalty proved to be not very costly, because quarterback, Cole Calfee, raced 76 yards for touchdown putting the Catamounts up 14-0 with just under a minute left in the first quarter.

Offense on the Ball
(Photo by LT Melton)

Another Bobcat “three and out” gave the ball right back to the Catamounts at the Dalton 29. Catamount running back, Matt Cobb, busted up the middle of the Bobcats’ defense on a 54 yard scamper that put the ball down at the Gilmer 17 yard line. A few players later, Cobb scored one a one yard plunge, and the home team led 21-0 with 9:24 seconds left in the first half.

On the ensuing kickoff return, Tucker Plouffe briefly brought the Bobcats’ fans to their feet when he raced up the sideline and into the end zone; however, a Bobcats’ block in the back nullified the score and Gilmer offense went out after three plays again.

Bonds beat the Bobcats again, on the next possession with a 54 yard touchdown run, effectively ended the “cat fight” before it actually began. The Catamounts were on top 28-0 with 6:27 left in the first half.

The visitors were finally able to mount some offense on the Catamounts’ defense, moving the ball down the field with a steady drive that saw quarterback, Marlin Hensley, score on a keeper from eight yards out to make the score 28-7 at the half.

The second half opened with the two teams trading short possessions. The Bobcats got the ball back eventually leading to an Eric Chavez field goal; however, the Catamounts were called for a personal foul. Gilmer accepted and took the ball at the Dalton nine yard line. On first and goal, Catamount defensive back, Dante’ Thomas, intercepted Hensley’s pitch out; effectively extinguishing all hopes of a Bobcats’ comeback.

Huddle Up
(Photo by LT Melton)

The Catamounts ground game wasted no time, as Tre Bonds bounded past the Bobcats on a 55 yard carry that gave the Catamounts the ball on the Gilmer 13 yard line. Gilmer’s Will Ralston saved the touchdown; however, it was for not as a few plays later, Calfee scored the game’s last touchdown on a quarterback sneak.

The loss put the Bobcat’s record at 2-1. Gilmer next takes on Ridgeland at home on September 16th.