The Gilmer High School Bobcats football team hosted the Murphy (NC) Bulldogs on homecoming night. The “Cats” clobbered the Bulldogs 49-10 in front of packed raucous Huff Mosley Stadium.The Gilmer offense took the field first on a first and ten from its own 20 yard line. The “Cats” marched down to the 19 before an interception in the end zone ended the drive. The Bobcats’ defense forced a three and out and Gilmer took possession back on its own 40 yard line.

60 yards later the “Cats” scored the first touchdown of the game on a two yard Russell Cochran run that gave Gilmer a 7-0 lead with 1:55 left in the first quarter after a Rodrigo Casas extra point. After a second straight three and out, the Bulldogs punted again back to Gilmer.

Garrett Rigdon closed the quarter with a long punt return that, after a horse collar tackle added on 15 yards, gave Gilmer’s offense a first down on the Murphy 20 yard line. Cochran carried the ball two times to hit pay dirt, the second saw a two run touchdown run aided by offensive lineman, Jake Ingram, who willed Cochran into the end zone for the 14-0 lead.

With 11:40 left in the first half, Gilmer lead by two touchdowns; however, a 95 yard Murphy kick return for a touchdown cut the lead in half a mere 15 seconds later.

The “Cats’” offense was undeterred as Chris James and company took over on the Gilmer 20 yard line and proceeded to move the ball right down the field. Cochran’s carry on third and four, gave Gilmer a first down on the Bobcats’ 42 and saw him running through defenders like a hot knife through butter.

The “Cats” continued to churn out yardage until Chad Watkins scored on an 18 yard touchdown run that put Gilmer up 21-7 with 8:04 left in the first half. Yet another three and out from the Murphy offense ended with a Bulldogs’ punt on fourth and 23.

Chris James led another long touchdown drive. This one commenced with 16 yard touchdown pass caught by Rigdon that put the Bobcats up 28-7 with just over four minutes left in the first half. The score remained the same throughout the rest of the half.

The Bulldogs bit into the “Cats’” lead with a 55 yard field goal on the first drive of the second half that cut the lead to 28-10 with 10:22 left in the third quarter. That was the last time the Bulldogs scored on the night.

Thaddeus Bowers answered almost immediately with two touchdowns in 17 seconds of game play. The first was a 53 yard touchdown catch that pushed the lead to 35-10. The second was a 37 yard “pick six” interception return that gave Gilmer a 42-10 lead.

Victor Ramirez scored the last touchdown of the night, a two yard run that gave Gilmer its final lead of 49-10.

Afterward, head coach, Wesley Tankersley, spoke briefly about his team’s performance.

The Bobcats begin Region play Friday September 26th with a home game against Cartersville. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30.