Thursday, April 25, 2024
Gatesville utilized a big advantage in turnovers and quarterback Wesley Brown scored seven touchdowns in Friday’s 49-30 regular-season football finale road victory over the Jarrell Cougars.
Brown is leading the 4=6 Hornets into the playoffs for a 7 p.m. bi-district clash Friday against the unbeaten No.1 state-ranked Carthage Bulldogs at Athens High School.
“We had a good thing going and we just kept with it,’’ Brown said after scoring on runs of three, 14, two, nine, three, nine and three yards.
Brown finished with 26 carries for 179 yards on the ground. His longest run was 20 yards.
He completed five of nine passes for 34 yards.
“I am proud of our kids getting it done,’’ Gatesville coach Luke Howard said. “We did not play our best game, but we made the plays needed to win and get in.’’
Brown said Friday’s battle with Jarrell was a matter of sticking with the team’s strengths.
Gatesville jumped out to an early 14-0 lead and held a two-score margin throughout the game.
The Hornets led 28-10 at halftime.
Gatesville won the turnover battle, 5-1. Parker Allman had two interceptions and Lawson Mooney and Jovan Hall had one each. Jacob Baker and Caydon Mata recovered fumbles.
“Turnovers were big,’’ Howard said. “Defense came up big and gave the offense a short field multiple times.’’
The leading tacklers for the Hornets were Lawson Mooney with 12, Baker seven, Hayden Mooney seven, Cayden Mata seven, Thiele Alvarado, five, Baker five and Ryan Smiley five.
“Carthage is very good,’’ Howard said. “I believe they will make another run at a state title.’’
Carthage has won eight state football championships.
