WINDER — Winder-Barrow entered Friday's showdown with a seven-game win streak and No. 8 Class AAAAAA ranking to its name.
Thanks to Gainesville playmakers like Keith Harris and Tre Luttrell, the Bulldoggs left the contest tied with the Red Elephants in a Region 8-AAAAAA playoff race that took an unexpected turn thanks to Gainesville's 38-16 victory in Winder.
The Red Elephants (3-5, 2-1 Region 8-AAAAAA) took a 7-0 lead late in the first quarter and never surrendered their advantage, sprinting in front 28-3 at the half and then fending off a third quarter charge from the Bulldoggs (7-1, 2-1) to draw level with Winder and Lanier as three teams tied for second in 8-AAAAAA.
Gainesville rolled up 459 total yards, including 254 passing, as Luttrell completed 13 of 23 attempts for two scores. He also rushed for 111 on 27 carries and scored twice more. A three-yard Luttrell plunge put the visitors in front in the first quarter before the junior quarterback hooked up with Trey Blackwell for a 36-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the second quarter. The Bulldoggs kicked a field goal to pull within 14-3, but Luttrell and Jared Rosser responded with an 81-yard touchdown pass before Luttrell ran in from four yards to complete Gainesville's first half domination.
Winder did not go quietly, however, converting two touchdown drives in the third quarter -- Brock Landis hooking up with Trace Wells and Lamonta Mack on quick-fire drives. Christian Jaimes countered with a 22-yard field goal, but Gainesville saw momentum shifting as it held a 31-16 advantage at the start of the fourth quarter.
Yet the Red Elephants crushed the Bulldoggs' hopes via a one-yard Montavious Tabor touchdown run and then let its defense do the talking, as the Red Elephants forced a turnover on downs inside their own 5-yard line and then picked off a pass to seal the win. Winder finished with 354 total yards, including 263 yards passing for Lanids, who completed 16 of 29 attempts.
Harris snagged the interception, part of a big night for the senior, who also rushed for 47 yards -- all in the first half -- to help kickstart Gainesville's offense.
The Red Elephants return home next week to face Apalachee.
Winder will look to bounce back at Habersham Central next week.
