GAINESVILLE -- It was flashback night at City Park on Friday.<br />
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Deshaun Watson was on the sidelines, and the Red Elephants put up the type of score their fans grew accustomed to during Watson's four-year stint as quarterback, as Gainesville slammed Winder-Barrow 46-6.<br />
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Watson was only an observer this time, but the Clemson signal caller had to be impressed by what he saw from the Red Elephants offense, which put up 475 yards and found a nice balance between the run and pass.<br />
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"This was a huge confidence boost," Gainesville coach Bruce Miller said. "But we've got to keep getting better."<br />
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Mikey Gonzalez proved deadly efficient in his second start for Gainesville (1-1, 1-0 Region 8-AAAAA), completing 23 of 29 passes for 276 yards and four touchdowns. The senior spread the ball around to seven different receivers, including six catches each for Rodney Lackey and Messiah Dorsey.<br />
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"Mikey's just as efficient as they come, and he kept making great decisions," Miller said. "And then Chris Byrd made some great plays, and the defense came up and played really well."<br />
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Byrd flashed his big-play ability, ripping off a 74-yard touchdown run and knifing through the Winder defense for a 32-yard touchdown reception -- though it took some special teams magic to get things going for the Red Elephants. <br />
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Toddrick Turner opened the scoring with an 83-yard scoop and run after blocking a Winder-Barrow field goal attempt on the Bulldoggs' opening possession. <br />
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"Coming in our confidence was a little fragile at that point, and that really pumped us up," Miller said.<br />
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From there it was almost all Gainesville -- despite a one hour and 10 minute lightening delay -- and it was just the kind of performance the Red Elephants needed after a tough season-opening loss at Grayson.<br />
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"Our confidence had been shot a little down at Grayson," Miller said. "So this was huge for us."<br />
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Gainesville denied an impressive opening drive from Winder with one explosive play -- as Turner blew in off the left end to block a 32-yard field goal attempt. The ball slammed off Turner's chest and bounced perfectly for the Red Elephants junior, who scooped it up and sprinted untouched for the opening score with 8:21 left in the first quarter.<br />
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The score came in direct contrast to the rest of the quarter, as the two teams slugged it out, trading punts and field position -- until the Red Elephants found their big-play touch again.<br />
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This time Gonzalez uncorked a 50-yard bomb to Chris Williamson, streaking wide open down the middle. The receiver cruised into the end zone for a 13-0 Gainesville advantage with 11:04 left before the half.<br />
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Byrd took over from there.<br />
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First the junior gathered a short swing pass and broke four tackles en route to the end zone and a 20-0 lead with 9:20 remaining in the half.<br />
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Seven minutes later, Byrd one-upped himself -- taking a handoff before cutting back, breaking two more tackles and out-running two more defenders for a 74-yard scoring run and a 26-0 advantage.<br />
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By the time Mesiah Dorsey lofted a 62-yard end-around touchdown pass to Rodney Lackey the Red Elephants had the game well in hand and were already looking toward next week's game at Apalachee -- though Lackey and Gonzalez hooked up for a seven-yard scoring pass with 5:33 left in the third for a 40-0 advantage.<br />
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Cece Green ran hard throughout the night for the Bulldoggs, rushing 19 times for 83 yards and a late touchdown, as Winder rushed for 173 yards. Yet Gainesville's defense kept the Bulldoggs in check through the air, allowing just 8 completions in 21 attempts for 79 yards.<br />
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Winder will look to rebound next week at home against Loganville.<br />
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-- NOTE: Gainesville High athletics honored longtime public address announcer Walt Snelling during the game. The much-loved veteran, who had the press box at City Park named in his honor, retired from his duties last season.<br />
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<b>SCORING SUMMARY</b><br />
<b>WINDER-BARROW</b>....0....0....0....6 -- 6<br />
<b>GAINESVILLE</b>............7...19...14....0 -- 46<br />
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<b>First Quarter</b><br />
GHS -- Turner 83 fumble return (Staton kick) 8:21, 7-0<br />
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<b>Second Quarter</b><br />
GHS -- Williamson 50 pass from Gonzalez (kick failed) 11:04, 13-0<br />
GHS -- C. Byrd 32 pass from Gonzalez (Staton kick) 9:20, 20-0<br />
GHS -- C. Byrd 74 run (kick failed) 2:03, 26-0<br />
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<b>Third Quarter</b><br />
GHS -- Lackey 62 pass from Dorsey (Staton kick) 9:55, 33-0<br />
GHS -- Lackey 7 pass from Gonzalez (Staton kick) 5:33, 40-0<br />
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<b>Fourth Quarter</b><br />
WB -- Green 7 run (run failed) 7:59, 46-6
