Ramblers 3-0 after 35-0 triumph over Trojans Friday night
CHICKAMAUGA, Ga. — The struggles and modest goals of their predecessors hardly seem real any longer. The LaFayette Ramblers have entered a whole new world with some big, shiny new goals in hard.
Showing superior speed and muscle as befits a rising Georgia Class AAAA team, the visiting Ramblers (with a huge overflowing crowd along for the ride) buried Class A host Gordon Lee 35-0 Friday night in one of the long-standing Walker County rivalries. The win was the Ramblers’ third straight under new head coach Paul Ellis — a season win total last achieved in 2011.
Ellis, addressing his players afterward, showed them the carrot and the stick in the same breath, in part because he saw the growing realization in his players’ eyes that they were entering a strange and wonderful new world.
“I’m going to let you enjoy this,” Ellis said. Then, after only a brief pause, he added, “But you can still finish 3-7.”
That doesn’t seem likely with veteran quarterback Vyshonn Daniel. With the line of scrimmage a tough battle zone much of the night, Daniel found success going up top all night long. He completed 17 of 20 passes for 281 yards and touchdowns of 51 and 24 yards to Austin Rodgers and 18 yards for Tyrese Marsh. Daniel completed his last 16 throws, including eight of eight in the second half.
“I’ve only been with him for three months, so that’s not my coaching,” Ellis said with a grin. “He pretty much had it in him all along.”
The Trojans, forced to play athletic junior Tucker Miller at quarterback in place of injured Hunter Hodson, ran a conservative offense much of the night, but they still lost three fumbles that the Ramblers capitalized on with gusto. The Ramblers’ only turnover was painful enough, coming on the 1-yard line.
Otherwise, the Ramblers played mistake-free football, as Alan Hu rushed for a pair of touchdowns and caught three passes for an additional 60 yards.
The Ramblers stay outside their region next week with a battle with pass-happy Christian Heritage. Gordon Lee (1-2) goes on the road to Darlington hoping to avoid a third straight shutout.
Contact David Jenkins at sports@timesfreepress.com.