GAINESVILLE -- Gainesville clinched a spot in the Region 8-AAA title game after routing newcomer Walnut Grove 55-6 Friday night at City Park Stadium.
The Red Elephants (7-1, 4-0 Region 8B-AAA) piled up nearly 600 yards of offense, more than 350 in the first half, behind Devon Pierce and Deshaun Watson. Pierce finished with 155 yards and two touchdowns on the ground while Watson added 165 yards passing and two touchdowns through the air.
Gainesville will close out the regular season next week at home against West Hall before traveling to White County, which clinched 8A-AAA with a 56-14 win over Chestatee Friday, in two weeks for the region title.
Despite the offensive explosion, the Gainesville defense set the tone holding Walnut Grove to one first down, forcing six punts on all six Warrior possessions, and just 32 total yards in the first half.
The Gainesville offense, meanwhile, scored on its first five first half possessions, including a 74-yard bomb from Watson to Stephens Mason. Pierce would follow with a 37-yard run on the Elephants final possession in the second quarter for a 34-0 halftime lead.
Walnut Grove's only score came early in the third quarter following Gainesville's only turnover of the game on a 31-yard run.
Gainesville answered with an 80-yard drive, highlighted by a 59-yard run by Ray-Ray Thomas, who capped the drive with a 1-yard TD run. Lahius Leverette finished the scoring with a 15-yard run on the Elephants' next drive.
Friday
January 31st, 2025
2:52AM
