Gilbert dominates Batesburg-Leesville, wins second in a row in series
Gilbert coach Chad Leaphart saw what a win over Batesburg-Leesville did last season for his team. He said he hopes Friday’s resounding 37-13 victory over the Panthers at Leonard Price Field will have the same effect on his young team.
A 16-point third quarter for Gilbert turned the tide. Leading 14-6 at the half, the Indians scored on three consecutive possessions after a safety on the Panthers’ first possession of the second half started things.
The safety came when the snap went over the punter’s head and out of the back of the end zone.
On the ensuing drive, Cody Temples capped a 10-play, 64-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown run to increase the lead to 23-6. After holding Batesburg-Leesville (1-1) to a three-and-out series on the next possession, Temples scored his second touchdown on a 13-yard run to increase the lead to 30-6 with 18 seconds left in the third quarter.
Josh Strickland added a 1-yard quarterback sneak for a score on the next series and the lead was 37-6 with 8:54 remaining.
“That was the turning point of the game,” Leaphart said. “It was one score that separated us for a long time. We needed a score and stop and it ended up working out with the safety.”
KEY PERFORMERS
DeAndre Cook: The sophomore running back ended with 128 yards on 21 carries and one touchdown. He left early in the third quarter with an injury.
Bishop Cannon: The Batesburg-Leesville QB was almost a one-man show. The senior ran for 150 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. He went 7-for-13 through the air for 86 yards.
KEY NUMBERS
2: This is the first-time in series history against B-L that Gilbert has won back-to-back games. It won 32-24 last year to help springboard it to nine consecutive wins to open the season.
11: The number of penalties for 80 yards hurt Batesburg-Leesville. Several drives stalled because of untimely holding or procedure calls.
THEY SAID IT
“Anytime you beat Batesburg, it’s a big deal. It’s a big game for our kids and for our community.” – Chad Leaphart, Gilbert coach
“Our miscues came at a horrible time, especially in special teams. We have to realize it’s not the end of the season. We have to regroup on Monday and fix the things that need to be fixed. ” – Gary Adams, Batesburg-Leesville coach
HOW THEY SCORED
1st Quarter
G – DeAndre Cook 4 run (Tanner Watson kick) 4:44
BL – Bishop Cannon 59 run (kick blocked) 4:17
2nd Quarter
G – Gage Sease 21 pass from Josh Strickland (Watson kick) 10:26
3rd Quarter
G – Safety, ball snapped out of end zone 8:00
G – Cody Temples 4 run (Watson kick) 5:32
G – Temples 13 run (Watson kick) 0:18
4th Quarter
G – Strickland 1 run (Watson run) 8:54
BL – Cannon 68 run (Wells Hallman kick) 8:30
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing: BL – Bishop Cannon 18-150, Tay Wilson 11-31, Jalik Oakman 3-9. G – DeAndre Cook 21-128, Cody Temples 13-78, Jy Tolen 8-34.
Passing: BL – Cannon 7-13-1-86. G – Strickland 9-11-0-104, Tolen 7-10-0-58.
Receiving: BL – Jaylen Derrick 3-35, Keshoun Williams 1-9, Shauntrell Hendrix 2-27. G – Gage Sease 3-48, Manny Bright 6-37, Matt Reed 3-23.
This story was originally published August 25, 2017 at 10:59 PM with the headline "Gilbert dominates Batesburg-Leesville, wins second in a row in series."