Rabbs fall to a tough Gilmer Buckeyes team

Varsity

Atlanta traveled to Gilmer last Friday night to take on the Buckeyes at Jeff Traylor Stadium.

The Buckeyes had a 34-0 lead at the break and went on to win the game, 48-6.

Rabbit quarterback Justin “Catfish” Pierce connected with Ahmani Jackson on a 62-yard touchdown strike in the third frame for the Rabbs.

Pierce had 93 yards passing and La’Randion Dowden recorded 44 yards on the ground.

The Rabbits are back in action this Friday night as they host rival Liberty-Eylau on Homecoming night.

Kickoff is slated for 7:30 p.m.

Seventh Grade A

Courtesy of Coach Matt Johnson

The Atlanta seventh grade A team played a hard fought game last week, but fell just short versus Gilmer as the Buckeyes won the game 20-14.

In the first quarter, Atlanta’s first drive stalled and Gilmer answered with a long drive to go up 6-0. On Gilmer’s next drive they scored on a fake punt to go up 14-0 after the 2-point play.

In the second quarter, the Rabbs got on the board after nice runs from T.J. Hamilton and Kaigen Loyd. Hamilton capped the drive with a 1-yard jaunt to cut Gilmer’s lead to 14-6.

In the third quarter, Atlanta’s defense made a big stand on fourth down to open the half, but the drive ended with a pick-6 from Gilmer to make it 20-6.

In the fourth quarter, the Rabbs finally picked up some momentum on the ensuing drive. Hamilton busted a nice run to set the Rabbs up in Buckeye territory, but the Atlanta fumbled on the next play.

The Rabbs’ defense stood tall and stopped Gilmer on fourth down. On the ensuing drive Liam McKinney found Easton Owens from 16 yards out to close the gap. Hamilton added the 2-point run to make the score 20-14.

On the ensuing kickoff, Andres Campos kicks a perfectly executed onside kick recovered by McKinney.

The Rabbs drove the ball deep into Buckeye territory but fell just short as time expired.

Jalen Finley and Eddie Smith were defensive standouts.

Eighth Grade A

Courtesy of Coach Matt Johnson

Atlanta’s eighth grade A team won a 28-20 thriller over Gilmer last week in comeback fashion.

In the first quarter the Rabbs turned the ball over on the opening drive and the Buckeyes capitalized making it 6-0.

On the next drive, Jayden Riley busted a huge run to set the Rabbs up and two plays later he capped the drive with a 10-yard TD run to tie the score up at 6-6.

In the second quarter, the Buckeyes answered the Rabbs on the ensuing drive pushing the ball down the field to go up 14-6.

The Rabbs answered right back on a 56-yard dash from Riley. Eli Mitchell made a nice catch on the 2-point play and the score was tied at 14-14 going into the break.

In the third quarter, Gilmer put together another long drive to go up 20-14. The Rabbs drove the ball inside the red zone but suffered another costly turnover later in the quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Rabbs’ defense forced a Buckeye punt.

Atlanta answered with a long drive with nice runs from Riley and Marshawn Woodberry who had a big night.

The drive was capped off by Riley from a yard out. The score was then tied 20-20.

Later in the fourth, Riley forced a Buckeye fumble, recovered by Aiden Bolt.

The Rabbs took advantage of the gift and later punched it in on a 2-yard run from Riley who also added the 2-point play to put the Rabbs up 28-20.

Riley intercepted a Buckeye pass on the next drive to end the game.

Eli Mitchell had a great game on both sides of the ball. Toddy Webster and Kayden Linwood also stood out.