The Gilmer Bobcats, looking for their first win of the season, traveled to Union County to face the Panthers this past Friday, August 25. The two teams have not played each other in a regular season game since 1997, where the Bobcats beat the Panthers 33-7.

The Bobcats won the toss and chose to defer to the second half.

Coach Galt and the Bobcats tried to mix some things up to start the game. The Bobcats tried an onside kick, but were unsuccessful when the  Panthers recovered the ball around the 46-yard line. Gilmer’s defense picked up, forcing the Panthers to go three and out after the unsuccessful onside kick.

The Bobcats, looking to light a fire after a slow start the last two weeks, started their first series with a three and out.

The Panthers second series, quarterback Cole Wright scampered into the end zone for a 13-yard run. The PAT by Slade Thompson was good, putting the Panthers up 7-0 against the Bobcats.

Bobcats offense still not showing any life, went three and out for their second series of the night.

Late in the first quarter, the Panthers began to drive down the field. As they were about to score, running back Bo Lynch took a carry from quarterback Cole Wright and fumbled on the 2-yard line. where the Bobcats would recover the fumble.

After the Bobcats recovered the ball, quarterback Tyler Buntin dropped back, but was smothered by the Panthers defense. The Panthers gained a safety, putting them up 9-0.

The Panthers drove the field again after receiving the kickoff, but the drive ended with a missed field goal from Slane Thompson.

During the second quarter, the dark clouds rolled in, and the lightning was not far behind. We saw the first spark of lighting with a little over six minutes left in the second quarter, causing an hour and a half delay of the game.

After the delay, the Panthers found themselves in a fourth down situation and tried again for a field goal. Slane Thompson again was unsuccessful, the ball going just left of the goal post.

With no luck on the Bobcats’ offensive side, the team continued to go three and out. The defense, however, recovered another fumble by Bo Lynch at the 32-yard line late in the second quarter. The Bobcats finally saw some ball movement, driving to the 4-yard line. With 1 second left, Galt called a time-out, sending the field goal unit onto the field. Rodrigo Casas made a 20-yard field goal at the buzzer, ending the first half and making the score 3-9.

The Bobcats got the ball to start the second half, looking to get on the board, but the Panthers defense once again forced them to three and out. The Panthers offense drove down the field where Cole Wright would find Erik Strayer in the end zone for a 20-yard touchdown. The Panthers offense stayed on the field to try for the two-point conversion, but failed, making the score 15-3.

The Bobcats were once again held at a three and out in the next series, but a high snap on the punt went into the end zone where Bobcats punter Damian Mccue picked it up and ran it to the 14-yard line.

After the failed punt, Sean Dobbins of the Panthers scored on a 14-yard reverse. The PAT from Slade Thompson was good putting the Panthers up 22-3 with 4:50 left to play in the third quarter.

After another stop by the Panthers defense, the Bobcats tried to go for it on fourth down, but were unsuccessful. The Panthers took over with 1:36 left in the third.

In the next series, the Bobcats defense showed some life, shutting down the Panthers offense. The Bobcats drove down the field, with Tyler Buntin finding Griffin Cagle for a 51-yard touchdown. Rodrigo Casas was unsuccessful on the PAT, making the score 22-9. Coach Galt then sent his kickoff team out to try a onside kick, but failed. The Panthers got the ball with 6:27 left in the fourth quarter.

The Panthers drove the field where quarterback Cole Wright scored from 5-yards out. The PAT by Slade Thompson was good, giving the Panthers an hefty 29-9 lead over the Bobcats with 3:47 left in the fourth quarter.

Needing to score quickly, the Bobcats responded to the Panthers with an 80-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tyler Buntin to wide receiver Griffin Cagle. The PAT by Casas was good, making the score 29-16.

On the following kickoff,  Zach Stone returned the ball for another Panther touchdown. The PAT by Slade Thompson was good, putting the Panthers up 36-16 with 3:10 left to play.

The Bobcats tried to drive the field, but were not successful. The Panthers broke up the pass on the fourth down conversion and sent their offense in to run the clock down, sealing their 36-16 win against the Bobcats.

Gilmer will play at home next Friday, September 3, facing the Cedartown Bulldogs.

Region Scores:

Gilmer(0-2) vs. Union(1-0) 16-36

Heritage(1-1) vs. Ringgold(1-1) 34-40

Southeast(2-0) vs. Gordon Central(0-2) 42-0

Northwest(2-0) vs. South Atlanta(0-2) 54-7

Cedartown(1-1) vs. Rockmart(1-1) 35-7

Layfayette(1-1) vs. Trion(1-0) 20-43

Pickens(1-0) Bye

Ridgeland(1-0) Game cancelled