Bobcats Beat Bruins: Nips Northwest 33-30

The Gilmer High School Bobcats football team hosted the Northwest Whitfield Bruins in the third game of Region 7-AAAA play. Both teams entered the game 1-1 in the region, the home team “Cats” clinched the clutch victory, with a 33-30 win, secured by a late Garrett Ridgon touchdown catch.The game began with the “Cats” taking over on offense from the Gilmer 20 yard line after a touchback on the opening kick-off. Gilmer marched down the field all 80 yards, with a heavy dose of the run game. The drive ended with a one yard touchdown run by Chad Watkins with 8:13 left in the first quarter that put the Bobcats in front 7-0 after a Rodrigo Casas extra point.

The ensuing drive saw Bruins move the ball into Gilmer territory before a second down sack by Levi Seabolt followed by an incompletion on third down led to Northeast Whitfield punt that gave Gilmer the ball on the Bobcats’ 11 yard line.

The “Cats’” offense was held to a three and out and forced to punt the ball back to the Bruins; however, the defense held, giving Gilmer possession on the Bruins’ 43 yard line with just under five minutes left in the first quarter.

Cochran started the drive with a nine yard run that saw him “truck stick” a defender when finishing the run. After picking up 9 yards on third and one, Cochran set up another first down on the Bruins’ 25. Quarterback, Chris James, then hooked up with Rigdon for a 25 yard touchdown pass and catch that doubled the Bobcats’ lead, 14-0, with 2:59 left in the first quarter, after another successful Casas extra point.

The Bruins responded by cutting the lead in half with a 69 yard touchdown pass and catch with 2:06 left in the first quarter. The score remained the same as the quarter came to a close.

The Bobcats increased the lead early in the second quarter after driving down to the one inch line, the Bobcats scored on a fourth and goal Chris James quarterback sneak that put the “Cats” up 20-7 after a missed extra point with 10:25 left in the second quarter.

The Bruins bounced back, aided by a quick screen pass that went 54 yards, and set up a first and goal on the five yard line, Northwest was able to cut the lead to 20-14 with 7:19 left in the first half after a five yard touchdown pass.

Gilmer responded with a touchdown drive of its own. Aided by a short field due to a pooch kick, the Bobcats bullied the Bruins, with a heavy dose of Cochran and the “Cats’” run game, finally scoring with a Cochran carry from the one that gave Gilmer a 26-14 lead with 2:47 left in the half. The “Cats” could not capitalize on the conversion.

The two teams traded punts to end the half with Gilmer in the lead 26-14.

The second half began with the Bruins receiving the kick off. The Bobcats’ stifling defense forced a three and out, leading to Victor Ramirez blocked punt; however, an interception off a tipped pass on the ensuing Gilmer possession gave the Bruins back the ball.

Despite the Bruins’ drive being aided by a questionable catch, that many on the Gilmer sidelined believed to be an incomplete pass, the Gilmer defense forced a punt, after an Austin Lacy sack forced a fourth and forever.

The “Cats” claimed possession on the Gilmer 15 yard line, but the Bobcats picked up only one first down and punted back to the Bruins.

The Bruins drove the short field to the end zone, eventually scoring on a 15 yard quarterback draw up the middle to cut the Gilmer lead 26-21 at the start of the fourth quarter.

An interception on the next Bobcats’ possession gave the Bruins the ball on the Gilmer 27 yard line. The despite the aid of a questionable pass interference call, the Northwest offense had to settle for a field goal, cutting the lead again, this time to two, 26-24, with 9:08 left in the game.

Disaster struck on the following Gilmer possession as a fumble recovered by the Bruins’ defense led to a 26 yard Northwest touchdown pass that put the Bruins in front for the first time, 30-26 with 7:18 left in the game.

After the two teams each traded three and out offensive possessions, the Bobcats took over for what turned out to be the Gilmer’s game winning drive. Cochran opened with a bruising punishing first down run that saw him break more tackles than Turbo and Ozone in a bait shop dance off.

A couple off offsides penalties, some clutch receptions from Ridgon and Kris Reece, and a heavy dose of Cochran carries set up Garrett Ridgon’s game winning touchdown catch that put the “Cats” up 33-30 with 1:18 left in the game.

The Bruins last chance ended when Ramirez recovered a fumble giving Gilmer back the ball allowing for the “victory formation” as the “Cats” clutched the three point 33-30 victory.

James completed nine of 20 passes for 106 yards two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also added 11 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown. Cochran led on the ground with 32 carries for 154 yards and a touchdown for a 4.8 yards per carry average. Rigdon led the receiving core with five catches for 80 yards and two touchdowns.

Ridgon spoke to FYN about the catch and the game briefly afterward.

Noble Zuchslag led the defense with 10 tackles, five solo. Levi Seabolt got the lone sack for the “Cats” and Ramirez the lone fumble recovery and punt block.

Gilmer next takes on Southeast Whitfield on the road Friday October 17th at 7:30pm.