Cedartown shuts out Gilmer in 63-0 Homecoming blowout

CEDARTOWN — Homecoming was a statement game for the Cedartown Bulldgos, ending the night early with a 63- 0 finish over the Gilmer Bobcats.

The Bulldogs finished with 346 total yards and only few mistakes before a running clock shortened the game in the second half where the Bulldogs were able to put two more touchdowns on the board before putting away the Bobcats.

“It seemed like everything we were doing, we were hitting on all cylinders,” said head coach Doyle Kelley.

Kelley’s first season has started off big with a 3-0 start for the Bulldogs, but gives credit to the talent on the field for doing the heavy lifting.

Senior quarterback Trevon Wofford went 2-4 for 54 yards with a touchdown pass to Tony Mathis Jr., and ran in for a score of his own in a team effort where plenty of others got to touch the ball and get into the end zone.

Mathis finished with a 120 yard night included a 26 yard touchdown pass in the first quarter, a 50 yard score two possessions later and one of two second half touchdowns from 1 yard out. Big plays also came from Chadriq Neal, who scored on the second play of the game with a 55-yard run, and later on a 23- yard run. The Bulldogs featured their younger players in the second half, who sought to show off their talents as well.

Taji Hudson came in as the second string quarterback as the clock was running down in the third and fourth quarters, and with 7:39 left in the game ran for a 24-yard touchdown of his own.

“We wanted to get them in more than what we did, but we have a JV game coming up so they’ll get plenty of playing time against Coosa,” Kelley said.

Gilmer ended the night with only 120 yards in total offense, getting only 73 yards on the ground and losing the ball on three fumbles on the night in their scoreless trip to Cedartown.

For now, the Bulldogs are looking ahead to tackle the Dragons in Lindle when they face a 1-1 Pepperell coming off a 39-28 win.

“It’s going to be a dogfight,” Wofford said. “But if we keep our heads right and practice hard all week then we’ll show up on Friday.”

Kevin Myrick / Standard Journal Cedartown’s Tony Mathis Jr. makes a Gilmer defender miss and jets in for a first quarter score after completing a pass.

Contributed by Gail Conner Cedartown’s Dakota Mason gets a big tackle on Gilmer’s Joseph Goodwin.

Contributed by Gail Conner Cedartown’s defense gave no running room to the Gilmer offense on Sept. 1 during the Bulldogs homecoming game.