Bobcats Fall To Eagles Of Rabun Gap

In Week 2 of the 2018 season the Bobcats made the 2+ hour bus ride to Rabun County to face off against the Eagles of the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School.  Rabun Gap is a Private Day and Boarding school that is represented by 10 countries.  Being a private school in the tip of Northeast Georgia, one would not expect the level of athletic ability represented on the field.  With that being said, the Bobcats came in with an excellent chance at leaving with the first victory of the year for Coach Casey Wingard and the new staff at GHS(Gilmer High School).

Rabun Gap scored really quick after winning the coin toss and electing to receive the ball first. On just four plays, the Eagles punched the ball in to the end zone to put the first points on the board.  The offensive squad for Gilmer strapped on the helmets and moved the ball very well against a very talented defense.   Having to overcome several circumstances through out the game the Bobcats Head Coach Casey Wingard was removed from the game after receiving a Sideline Interference flag and an Unsportsmanlike Conduct flag late in the second quarter.  The Bobcats trailed the Eagles of Rabun Gap 17-13 at the half.  The team didn’t lose their focus until late in the game when some extra activity started immediately in front of Gilmer’s team box.  David Smith(starting quarterback) and Mack Towery(defensive back)  were disqualified from the game after pushing and shoving the Rabun Gap players.  Two Eagles were also removed from the game for the same incident. Under the GHSA Fighting Rule both Smith and Towery are scheduled to sit out their upcoming game on 8-31 against Gordon Central.

The Bobcats offense played well matching every score point for point through out the first 47 and 1/2 minutes of the game.  Quarterbacks Senior David Smith and Freshman Seth Darling methodically took the offense down the field putting up 19 points in the game against a big and fast RGN defense.  Smith had a really good game both on the ground and in the air with double digit completions, over 50 yards rushing and a touchdown (Complete Stats were unavailable at time of article).  Darling, who came in after Smith’s ejection saw his first action as a freshman. Wearing a #1 on his jersey, Darling played as if he was the number one starter for the Bobcats.  Poised and focused, he had a twenty-seven yard run on a designed keeper and led the offense down the field for a touchdown that brought the Bobcats within one with just three seconds left in the game.  Gilmer attempted a 2 point conversion for the win but came up just short of the goal line to end the game 20-19 in favor of the Eagles

Avery Bertolini(Team FYN Sports Sportswriter Player of the Week) had an excellent day both on offense and defense.  Bertolini had multiple receptions and carried the ball for close to 100 yards with a really big pass break up in the end zone to keep the Eagles from putting 7 on the board.  Also having a really big game for the Bobcats was Senior running back James Dover.  Dover played the role of work horse in the game.  #35 carried the pigskin for a season high in rushing yards. Next up for the Bobcats will be Friday August 31st as the welcome in Gordon Central.