In a decisive performance, Gainesville secured a spot in the Class 5A finals with a commanding 37-6 victory over Roswell at Barron Stadium in Rome, Georgia. This triumph comes after a challenging playoff journey for Big Red, who faced significant hurdles, including suspensions that affected nearly half their roster prior to facing Hughes, the state’s top-ranked team.
Big Red’s Playoff Journey
Gainesville’s playoff saga has been marked by resilience. After narrowly defeating Hughes in the previous round, they returned to the field unencumbered by pressure. This time, the Red Elephants displayed exceptional skill, particularly on defense.
Defensive Dominance
- Kadin Fossung, a senior defensive end, recorded three of Gainesville’s six sacks.
- The team achieved 13 tackles for loss (TFLs), preventing Roswell from scoring a touchdown for the first time in 37 games.
- Rome’s offense managed a mere 15 rushing yards on 31 attempts.
Offensive Performance
Gainesville’s offense was equally impressive. Sophomore PJ Lewis starred with a career-high 228 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Despite typically being a secondary option behind junior Nigel Newkirk, Lewis stepped up after Newkirk sustained a knee injury just two plays into the game.
Coach Josh Niblett emphasized the importance of controlling the run game. “If you want to win, you’ve got to win the run totals on both sides,” he stated with pride in his team’s performance.
Key Game Highlights
- Gainesville led 7-0 after the first quarter, with Lewis scoring on a 35-yard run.
- They expanded their lead with a 9-yard touchdown run by Lewis, a 46-yard pass from Kharim Hughley to Cameron James, and a 39-yard field goal by Logan Gailey, ending the first half 24-0.
- In the second half, Hughley added a 4-yard touchdown run, while Lewis completed his hat trick with a 56-yard scoring run.
- Rome’s only points came from two field goals by Jason Cruz-Reyes.
Looking Ahead
The victory sets Gainesville on course for the Class 5A finals, where they will face Thomas County Central, who defeated Roswell 49-28 in the other semifinal. Niblett noted the significance of reaching the finals but reminded his players of their ultimate goal: securing the championship title.
With strong performances on both ends of the field, Gainesville is poised for a challenging but promising matchup ahead, aiming to claim victory on December 6 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
