GAINESVILLE — Dacula came to City Park on a mission to defend its two Region 8-6A titles, while Gainesville was simply looking to jumpstart its season on Friday night.
The Falcons got exactly what they wanted, while the Red Elephants must wait another week to find their way into the win column after a 37-7 Dacula victory.
The star for Dacula proved junior running back Trenton Jones, who rolled up 131 yards rushing on 17 carries and also added a touchdown for the Falcons’ powerful ground attack, which rumbled for 269 yards.
The Falcons (4-2, 1-0 Region 8-6A) scored touchdowns on their first two possessions in the first quarter and never looked back. Dacula opened the game with an eight-yard passing touchdown from junior quarterback Jarrett Jenkins, linking up with senior receiver Jalen Perry to give the Falcons a 7-0 advantage with 6:07 remaining in the opening quarter. Jenkins then banged in a 1-yard run to push the lead to 14-0 late in the first.
Jenkins finished the night 8-of-11 with 115 yards and two passing touchdowns, while also adding 12 yards on three rushes and one touchdown.
The Red Elephants encountered tough sledding against a swarming Dacula defense, mustering 142 total yards of offense, 98 of those yards on the ground. Senior running back Quintavious Hayes led the Red Elephants rushing attack with 56 yards on 17 carries.
Gainesville showed promise late in the game, as sophomore quarterback Gionni Williams got his first passing touchdown in a Red Elephant uniform. Williams, making his first career start at Gainesville, dropped a 35-yard strike to junior defensive end Makius Scott, who lined up as a tight end on the play.
Williams finished his first game for Gainesville 2 of 7 for 44 yards and a touchdown, while also adding 43 rushing yards on nine carries.
The Red Elephants (0-6, 0-1 8-6A) hope to learn from the loss as they travel to Habersham Central next week in Mt. Airy.
Meanwhile, the Falcons look to keep rolling in region play when they host Apalchee.
SCORING SUMMARY
DACULA.............14....6....10....7 -- 37
GAINESVILLE......0....0......0....7 -- 7
First Quarter
DHS - 8-yard pass from Jenkins to Perry (Gerks kick) 7-0, 6:07
DHS - 1-yard run by Jenkins (Gerks kick) 14-0, 2:04
Second Quarter
DHS - 37-yard run by Jones (Gerks kick no good) 20-0, 5:16
Third Quarter
DHS - 24-yard pass from Jenkins to Scott (Gerks kick) 27-0, 9:30
DHS - 33-yard field goal by Gerks, 30-0, 1:29
Fourth Quarter
DHS - 7-yard run by Edwards (Gerks kick) 37-0, 7:21
GHS - 35-yard pass Williams to Scott (King kick) 37-7, 4:50
