GAINESVILLE — Gainesville's slow start in the first half led to a big finish in the Region 6-7A opener as the Red Elephants scored 21 unanswered points to blow past Forsyth Central, 34-7, Friday night at City Park.
Junior running back Naim Cheeks ran for 151 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns to help the Red Elephants (3-1, 1-0) dig out of the first half funk.
"He's special, he's a dang good football player. Excellent vision, excellent speed." Gainesville coach Heath Webb said. "But of course, none of that happens without those big guys up front, [I] thought our offensive line did a really nice job."
One week after beating arch-rival Flowery Branch, the big win hangover seemed to factor into the sluggish first-half performance. The Red Elephants led by just six points at halftime, 13-7. Several penalties also kept the Red Elephants behind the sticks several times.
Forsyth Central senior running back Malachi McElroy tried to play the role of spoiler in the ball game. He ran the ball 12 times for 82 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown, in the first half of what looked like a career night for the young man.
The Red Elephants' defense adjusted, however, and only allowed him to 25 yards in the second half in what was a dominant defensive effort.
The defense wasn't the only part of the team that adjusted as the offense seemed to wake up in the second half.
After getting the ball back in the third quarter, sophomore quarterback Baxter Wright threw the ball to senior receiver Macere Walker, who fumbled into the endzone, but was recovered by the Red Elephants. After that, Cheeks added his second touchdown of the ballgame.
Wright was 17-of-21 for 172 yards and a touchdown. Walker caught five of those passes for 104 yards and a touchdown.
