GAINESVILLE — Nothing has come easy for the Gainesville football team this season -- but the Red Elephants have shown more than their share of fight.
Gainesville battled again on Friday, responding to last week's disappointing loss to Dacula with a rebound, 30-16 win over Winder-Barrow that proved its own microcosm of the Red Elephants' season.
Gainesville dominated a number of phases and put up some impressive offensive plays and defensive stands -- only to see penalties threaten to derail the good work.
The Red Elephants (4-4, 2-1 Region 8-AAAAAA) rolled up 364 yards and held Winder's own explosive attack to just 234 yards -- but were also flagged 15 times for 141 yards.
Yet Gainesville refused to wilt and responded to both an early deficit and the Bulldoggs (4-4, 1-2) climbing within 24-16 with 8:10 remaining to clinch a victory that went a long way toward solidifying a state playoff berth. The victory also kept Gainesville in the 8-AAAAAA race -- though the Red Elephants would have to win out and hope for Dacula to knock off Lanier in those two teams' showdown next week.
Gainesville watched Winder march deep into its territory on the opening drive, only to hold firm in the shadow of its goalpost and force a Jesse Zamora field goal for a 3-0 Bulldoggs lead -- it was the first of three straight field goals for Zamora. But the kicks were not enough to offset Gainesville's offense, which found its rhythm early.
Red Elephants quarterback DJ Irons hooked up with RD Timmons and Jim Barnett for back-to-back touchdown passes to yield a 14-3 Gainesville lead at the end of the first quarter. Irons finished the contest with three scoring strikes, also hitting Tyriq Kabir for a touchdown in the third quarter that made it 21-6.
Irons completed 9 of 18 passes for 155 yards and also ran for 63 yards -- yet the junior also left the game with an injury late in the contest and did not return, Barnett finishing out Gainesville's final possession at quarterback.
Perhaps the biggest difference, however, was the Red Elephants' run game. After watching its ground attack stutter at times this season, Gainesville rolled up 209 yards on the ground, including 17 carries for 129 yards for KD Smith. Placekicker Brandon Reyna also proved his worth, matching Zamora's performance with three field goals of his own.
Meanwhile, the Gainesville defense kept the Bulldoggs off balance, yielding just 74 yards passing -- though running back Jamar Mack got loose for 130 yards rushing on 25 carries, while Nathan Millwood added a short touchdown run. The Red Elephants also picked off one pass and recovered a fourth quarter fumble to end Winder's threat.
"We finally established some ground game," Gainesville coach Bruce Miller said. "We've got to take it one game at a time, and the most important game is the next one."
Gainesville travels to Apalachee next week.
Winder-Barrow will play host to Habersham Central in a must-win game for both teams, as each look jockeys for a playoff spot.
