MARIETTA, Ga. — The long weather delay at Northcutt Stadium in Marietta benefitted the visitors more than the home team.
Leading 14-3 at halftime, Gainesville (1-0) exploded for 27 unanswered points after the extended delay to blow past Marietta, 41-3, on Friday.
Big Red scored all 27 points in the third quarter, including a beastly 67-yard touchdown catch by Jeremiah Ware. Ware ended the night with six catches for 118 yards and a touchdown.
Carmelo Byrd scored two third-quarter touchdowns on a four and two-yard run. He finished the night with 16 carries for 111 yards and two scores. Shane King hauled in 9 passes for 127 yards to lead Gainesville's receiving corp.
Meanwhile, Kharim Hughley was 14 of 18 passing for 228 yards and two touchdowns. He added a rushing touchdown in the third quarter. Gainesville racked up 371 yards of offense.
In the first half, Gainesville's Taz Smith put Gainesville on the board with a 21-yard run with 9:18 left in the first quarter, and Dacien Cohen rushed in from 3 yards out for a 14-3 lead.
Big Red's defense held Marietta under 200 total yards.
Gainesville travels to Moody High School in Alabama on Thursday.
