The Gilmer Bobcats welcomed the Murray Co. Indians into Huff Mosely Stadium for the final pre-season game of 2018 on Friday with hopes of resurrecting a program that has seen a few years where it seemed the football gods weren’t showing them mercy. Coach Wingard and his full coaching staff have worked their players really hard in preparation for the 10 weeks ahead.
At the coin toss on the fifty-yard line, the Bobcat Captains won the toss and chose to receive the ball. This option played out to be right and wrong at the same time. The first play from scrimmage proved to be exciting as Senior Quarterback David Smith kept the ball and ran off right tackle. At about 3 yards downfield it was clean air for him to run in. Smith carried the ball down the center of the field for 65 yards and a Bobcat score. The excitement for the first touchdown of the 2018 football season quickly faded with a Gilmer player lying on his back at the original line of scrimmage.
Senior running back Hunter Bowyer was blocking his defensive opponent when a Murray Co. player was blocked to the ground and rolled into the lower left leg of Bowyer. With EMS on the scene, #14 was loaded onto the cart and transported to Kennestone Hospital for treatment. It was determined after X-Rays that Hunter had broken not one but both the Tibia and Fibula just above the ankle. Bowyer will be evaluated by an Orthopedic Surgeon and a surgery time will be scheduled to repair the broken bones.
As the game continued, Murray would answer with their on touchdown. The Bobcats would score two more times in the first half on a run by Brogdon and a pass reception by Singleton bringing the final Varsity score to 20-14. The Junior Varsity took the field for the second half with both Murray and Gilmer playing two scoreless quarters of football.
The real deal starts on August 17th as the Bobcats welcome the Fannin Rebels to Ellijay for the season opener for both schools.