Gainesville overwhelms Apalachee to move to 2-0 in 8-AAAAA

BETHLEHEM -- Don't look now, but Gainesville is getting its swagger back -- and at just the right time.<br /> <br /> The Red Elephants rolled to a second straight Region 8-AAAAA victory on Friday, swatting Apalachee 48-7 in Bethlehem -- an outcome that netted Gainesville coach Bruce Miller his 200th career victory.<br /> <br /> Gainesville (2-1, 2-0 Region 8-AAAAA) never gave the Wildcats a chance, sprinting to a 41-7 lead at halftime, Mikey Gonzalez and his receiving corps doing much of the damage, as the senior completed 12 of 18 passes for 168 yards and three scores -- one each to Chris Williamson, Rodney Lackey and Mesiah Dorsey. Gonzalez also added a rushing score in the early onslaught.<br /> <br /> Chris Byrd also scampered for a touchdown for Gainesville.<br /> <br /> The Red Elephants finished the night with 327 yards -- 93 of it on the ground. Byrd led the way with 11 carries for 49 yards.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, Gonzalez completed 17 of 25 passes for the game, finishing with 226 yards through the air. Lackey proved his top target with six catches for 50 yards. Dorsey also caught four balls for 31 yards, while Williamson had three catches for 86 yards.<br /> <br /> Apalachee (0-4, 0-3) managed 190 yards -- 113 of that in the first half.<br /> <br /> Gainesville will play host to Heritage, Conyers in a huge 8-AAAAA showdown next week at City Park.<br /> <br /> Apalachee will play host to Clarke Central next week.