Fourth-quarter kick lifts LaFayette past Gilmer
The LaFayette Ramblers got a goahead field goal from freshman kicker Max Studdard on the first play of the fourth quarter and made it hold up as the Orangeand-Black sent the senior class off in style with a 10-7 road win at Gilmer on Friday.
“It was a nail biter for sure, but an awesome game to be a part of,” LaFayette head coach Chad Fisher said. “Gilmer is a really good team. I don’t see how they came in at 0-9.”
The first half was dominated by the defenses. LaFayette picked off three Gilmer passes and recovered a fumble, but still found itself in a 7-7 deadlock after the first 24 minutes of action.
The Bobcats (0-10, 0-6) scored on a long touchdown pass early in the second quarter. However, LaFayette (37, 1-5) would finally get on the board late in the half.
After Andrew Pendergrass returned an interception just inside the Gilmer 10yard line, KaDarrin Ramsey capped the short drive with a 4-yard run and Studdard’s point after would send the Ramblers to the locker room with the tie, despite not gaining a first down in the opening two quarters.
Gilmer took the opening possession of the second half and drove into LaFayette territory, but a high snap was recovered by Jake Russell and the Ramblers would take over with eight minutes left in the third quarter.
They held the ball for the remainder of the period before Studdard’s kick gave them a 3-point cushion to begin the final period. LaFayette then surprised Gilmer with a successful onside kick and chewed up nearly five more minutes off the clock before having to punt it away.
The defense would force the Bobcats’ third punt of the night and the Ramblers would take over near midfield with six minutes remaining. They would drive deep in Gilmer territory, looking for a touchdown to put the game away. But the Ramblers would cough up the ball inside the Gilmer 1-yard line with just 90 seconds to go.
Gilmer would move the ball out to their own 40, but Ramsey would seal the victory with the fourth pick of the day for the LaFayette defense with 33 seconds to play.
Colton Lane led the way with 20 carries for 123 yards, while Ramsey had 13 rushes for 76 yards in his final game as a Rambler. Pendergrass and Grayson Blaschke each had 7.5 tackles. Wallin and Bryson Smith each recorded a sack, while Logan Teasley and Dakota Cathey also had interceptions.
“It was great to send out the seniors with a win,” Fisher continued. “We controlled the tempo and the time of possession and we were able to capitalize on some Gilmer mistakes with 10 points. The kids were really resilient and it was just a great way to end the year.
“With the kids we have coming back and with the success our JV team had this season (6-2, winning their last six in a row), this is a nice stepping stone for us to build on in the offseason.”