GAINESVILLE — It was far from the usual Gainesville style, but boy did it prove effective.
The Red Elephants went all old fashioned on Friday night, using defense and the running game to notch its eighth straight first round state playoff win, knocking off Alexander 25-14 at City Park.
The Red Elephants (8-3) forced six turnovers and rushed for 331 yards and four scores -- making up for three giveaways of their own.
“Just about every time they got close seemed like we made a play,” Gainesville coach Bruce Miller said. “The secondary played so well all night.”
The victory moved the Red Elephants into the Class AAAAA second round, where they will travel to take on top-ranked Stockbridge, looking for their fifth straight state quarterfinal berth. And while the Red Elephants won't be able to guarantee six takeaways again, they will enter the contest with some confidence after watching their defensive playmaking abilities.
"This is huge, especially being a senior" said Gainesville defensive back Chris Lyles, who picked off a pass and recovered a fumble in the win -- Tae Turner and Chris Byrd also nabbed takeaways. "We're not ready to be finished with this season."
Neither were Gainesville senior quarterback Messiah Dorsey and running back Chris Byrd. Dorsey rushed for 208 yards and two scores, while Byrd added 119 yards on the ground and two scores, as Gainesville rolled up 534 total yards. Dorsey also completed 16 of 34 passes for 204 yards -- including four receptions for 71 yards for Martavius Davis -- but it was the ground game that proved the difference.
Meanwhile, the Red Elephants yielded 378 total yards to Alexander (8-3) -- including 149 yards rushing to Daetrich Harrington, as the running back did find one crease for a 58-yard score. Quarterback Baylor Whitfield also passed for 195 yards -- 46 of that to state-leading receiver Justin T Hall. But the Red Elephants' defense also helped him go 0-for-12 to open the second half.
Gainesville looked set for a big night from top to bottom in the opening exchanges, forcing a turnover on downs from Alexander at the Red Elephants 29 before storming into the lead on its first possession.
The Red Elephants marched 71 yards before Byrd leapt into the end zone from 1 yard for a 7-0 lead. Dorsey and receiver Rodarius Timmons set up the touchdown with a 35-yard completion.
Seconds later, Gainesville’s Chris Lyles picked off an Alexander pass for the first turnover of the night. The Red Elephants could not take advantage of the takeaway, however, as Alexander blocked a 27-yard field goal attempt.
It was more indicative of the rest of the half, as turnovers and miscues took control of the contest.
Gainesville forced three more Cougar turnovers -- Lyles and Byrd each pouncing on fumbles, while Turner pulled off an acrobatic interception. Yet Alexander kept pace, picking off two Red Elephants passes of their own to help keep Gainesville from adding to its lead. Five penalties also helped offset the Red Elephants’ takeaways.
Despite the turnovers Gainesville moved the ball through the first half and continued to do so after the interval -- but again the kicking game failed the Red Elephants, as they fired wide on a 26-yard field goal attempt on their opening possession of the third quarter.
Alexander also kept the ball moving in the third quarter, however. After notching their third interception of the night, the Cougars exploded on offense, as Daetrich Harrington ripped off a 58-yard touchdown run to knot the score at 7-7 with 4:21 left in the quarter.
Gainesville refused to panic, however, turning to the run game -- and it paid off as Dorsey and Byrd began to churn up yardage and find the end zone.
Dorsey broke away for a 28-yard touchdown run with 1 second left in the third quarter, giving the Red Elephants a 13-7 advantage after the point after attempt sailed wide. Next up was Byrd, as the running back took an option pitch 21 yards for a 19-7 Red Elephants lead -- a two-point conversion attempt failing -- with 10:02 left to play.
Alexander finally got its passing game going on the next drive, moving 77 yards in nine plays before Jalen Thornton scored from 1 yard to pull within 19-14.
But Gainesville was not about to let go of its advantage. Toddrick Turner covered the ensuing onsides kick and two plays later Dorsey brooke loose on a 52-yard scoring run that saw the Red Elephants offensive line cave in the left side of the Alexander front en route to a 25-14 lead. For good measure Gainesville picked off one last Alexander pass as it sealed yet another state playoff win.
SCORING SUMMARY
ALEXANDER......0....0....7.....7 -- 14
GAINESVILLE....7....0....6....12 -- 25
First Quarter
GHS -- Byrd 1 run (Staton kick) 7:09, 7-0
Third Quarter
AHS -- Harrington 58 run (Billups kick) 4:21, 7-7
GHS -- Dorsey 28 run (kick failed) :01, 13-7
Fourth Quarter
GHS -- Byrd 21 run (run failed) 10:02, 19-7
AHS -- Thornton 1 run (Billups kick) 1:35, 19-14
GHS -- Dorsey 52 run (run failed) 1:16, 25-14
