GAINESVILLE — For much of Friday night's contest it seemed as if Gainesville football was a completely different team from the one that took the field in last week's season opener.
The Red Elephants held the advantage for much of the night against North Forsyth and rolled up 391 total yards of offense to make Week Zero's shutout defeat seem a distant nightmare.
A late drive from the Raiders returned to haunt Gainesville, however, as North Forsyth scored a touchdown with less than a minute remaining to snatch a 24-21 victory at City Park.
The Red Elephants (0-2) mounted a furious late drive of their own, but saw the contest come to a close in Raider territory.
There were plenty of bright spots for Gainesville, including 193 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 23 carries from Quintavious Hayes, while quarterback Walt Dixon completed 11 of 17 passes for 148 yards and a score -- including a 65-yard touchdown strike to Justice Johnson.
But after holding the Raiders (1-1) to a turnover on downs with 2:21 remaining, the Red Elephants could not gain a first down and punted the ball back to North Forsyth with 2:06 to play. It was all that North Forsyth quarterback Carter Mullikin needed, as he drove the Raiders 52 yards and connected with Charlie Aiken with just 29 seconds remaining to pull in front 22-21. North Forsyth tacked on a 2-point conversion run and then held on despite a trick play from Gainesville and a defensive pass interference call that moved the Red Elephants into Raiders territory.
Mullikin also a had a 1-yard touchdown plunge, while Thor Billstrom connected on field goal attempts of 30, 30 and 36 yards for the visitors.
Gainesville will look to bounce back next week against Lambert at City Park.
