Jackets win big over Gordon Central, 61-0
McClain finished the game with 95 yards on a mere four carries.
The Yellow Jackets didn’t have to air it out often, but quar-terback 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,” Rock-mart head coach Biff Parson said.
However, perhaps the most explosive play of the night oc-curred 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.
“That special team play was huge,” Parson said. “It’s a criti-cal third of the game, and I felt those guys were resilient and very coachable tonight.”
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-of13 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.
“We knew we had to take advantage of turnovers and use our defensive speed,” Parson said. “A lot of credit goes to our defensive staff who had our guys stunting, blitzing and tack-ling very well tonight.”
Rockmart will hit the road for a clash with the Model Blue Devils this Friday. The Warriors will welcome the Coosa Eagles for Senior Night and the final game of the season.