Warriors dominated at Rockmart
— The Rockmart Yellow Jackets demonstrated an impressive level of execution in all phases of the game and dominated both sides of the ball in a 61-0 victory over the Gordon Central Warriors on Friday night.
The Yellow Jackets (7-2, 5-1) stuffed the offensive stat sheet all night, repeatedly slicing through the Gordon Central (0-9, 0-6) defense for chunk gains in front of a large Senior Night crowd.
Rockmart’s Zabrion Whatley capped off the team’s first drive with a five-yard rushing touchdown to set the tone early.
Whatley also broke free on a 49-yard touchdown run in the second half. He made the most of his three carries, compiling 52 rushing yards.
Yellow Jackets running back Markus Smith followed that with an elusive six-yard touchdown midway through the first quarter. The Warriors didn’t have any answers for Smith, who gained an electric 112 yards on just eight carries.
Smith’s encore came in the form of a 19-yard touchdown scamper late in the first quarter. He tacked on another 22-yard score with ease before halftime.
Rockmart running back D’lante McClain functioned as the thunder to Smith’s lightning. He powered through the defense for a 36-yard rushing touchdown before the clock expired in the first quarter. He also utilized a few excellent blocks en route to a 38-yard score in the opening minutes of the second quarter.
McClain finished the game with 95 yards on a mere four carries.
The Yellow Jackets didn’t have to air it out often, but quarterback Dylan Bailey completed all four of his pass attempts for 60 yards. Dawson Sanders led the team in receiving with two catches for 27 yards.
“On offense, we have just been focusing on taking care of what we can control and applying the fundamentals,” Rockmart head coach Biff Parson said.
However, perhaps the most explosive play of the night occurred on special teams. Rockmart’s Morgan Sims snagged a punt off the bounce and knifed his way through the Gordon Central defenders for a 74-yard touchdown return before the half to add an exclamation mark on the win.
Sims also rumbled his way to a five-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
Gordon Central didn’t fare as well on the offensive side of the ball against a quick and stout Rockmart defense.
It wasn’t for a lack of effort, but lead running back Branson Towe was hit in the backfield early and often. He totaled negative 29 rushing yards on 17 carries. Towe’s backfield mate Gauge Giddens mustered 14 yards on seven rushes.
Gordon Central signal-caller Martavius Harris found a little more success passing the ball, completing 6-of-13 passes for 53 yards.
Warriors receiver Corey Dixon snagged two passes for 24 yards, and receiver Jordon Green managed a late 13-yard grab.
Gordon Central actually won the turnover battle, forcing Rockmart to fumble three times. However, Rockmart made the most out of the Warrior mistakes, eventually turning a Harris interception and botched hand-off resulting in a fumble into quick scores.
The Yellow Jackets also busted through the offensive line and blocked a short Gordon Central field goal attempt in the fourth quarter.
Rockmart will hit the road for a clash with the Model Blue Devils next Friday. The Warriors will welcome the Coosa Eagles for Senior Night and the final game of the season.