BETHLEHEM — Gainesville kept its improbable late playoff run alive Friday night gutting out a skinny 7-6 win over Apalachee in what was a critical Region 8-6A contest for both teams.
In a game that saw the two defenses combine to snag six turnovers, it was the Red Elephants special teams that was the difference.
Gainesville blocked a pair of field goals and the Wildcats missed a potential game-tying extra point late in the game that turned out to be the eventual game-winner.
The win was the second straight for Gainesville (2-7, 2-2 Region 8-6A) which is on the verge of extending its 18-year postseason streak less than two weeks after it looked as if it was headed toward its first-ever winless season.
Gainesville coach Heath Webb said it has been a major turnaround in just under 14 days.
“The kids never stopped working and they understood that this was going to be a building process,” Webb said. “That said, we go into every game thinking we can win and to see the kids be able to walk off the field the last couple of weeks with smiles is just a great feeling.”
Walt Dixon’s 17-yard touchdown reception from Gionni Williams to break a scoreless tie midway through the third quarter following a Wildcats turnover was all the Red Elephants needed. Gainesville had blocked a Apalachee field goal in the first half and blocked another attempt late in the third quarter.
The Wildcats, however, used their own special teams to get back in the game when Cameron Hoffman returned a punt 61 yards for a score to pull within 7-6 with 4:46 left in the game. But the extra point was no good preserving a slim margin for Gainesville.
The Wildcats forced Gainesville into a quick 3-and-out but five plays later the Red Elephants intercepted their third pass of the game and ran out the final 1:59 to get the victory.
“Except for the punt return near the end our special teams played well. That group has come a long way this year,” Webb said.
The Red Elephants did not clinch a playoff berth with the win but they are right in the middle of the race. However, they face a tough Lanier squad (6-3, 3-1) next week on the road.
A win clinches a berth while a loss to the Longhorns could send things to tiebreakers depending on Habersham Central’s outcome with Apalachee next week.
