Gainesville High Bashed By Buchholz

Gainesville High School hosted Buchholz on Thursday hoping to pull off the upset at Citizens Field, but instead found itself losing 35-7.

Buchholz’s Early Offensive Success

The Bobcats (6-0) moved right down the field on the first drive of the game against the Hurricanes (1-6). Aided by an 87-yard kickoff return, the Bobcats rushed for a score for the 7-0 lead.

Buchholz did not stop there. After a quick three-and-out by Gainesville, the Bobcats marched down the field, capping a seven-play, 58-yard drive with a 6-yard touchdown strike from QB Trace Johnson to receiver Justin Williams to go up 14-0 halfway through the first quarter.

Buchholz added another score before the half to extend the lead to 20-0.

Buchholz Dominates On Defense

Buchholz’s offense wasn’t the only unit firing on all cylinders. The Bobcats’ stellar defense, led by UF commits Myles Graham and Kendall Jackson, held the Hurricanes to zero points in the first three quarters. The Bobcats defense combined for three sacks and a fumble recovery.

Graham, who recorded 1.5 sacks and the fumble recovery, was pumped about the performance of the defense.

“We executed the game plan and we put our rivals down.”

Gainesville Gets on The Board Late

It wasn’t all bad for the Hurricanes. A six-play, 80-yard drive early in the fourth quarter prevented the shutout. The touchdown was a perfect 63-yard pass from backup QB Mason Brewer to receiver Matthew Williams.

Postgame Comments

Gainesville High School coach Ian Scott talked about his team’s effort Thursday.

Scott also commented on his star linebacker Calel Perry’s performance.

“He just played really aggressive … we needed him to play that way to be successful tonight, he did some really nice things and made some plays,” Scott said.

Next Up

Gainesville (0-1 in district) faces 3S District 4 rival Matanzas (4-2, 0-1) Friday. Buchholz (1-0 in 4S District 3) returns to district play at Oakleaf (2-3, 1-1) on Friday.

About Alexander Vafeas

Alexander Vafeas is a second-year Sports Journalism student at the University of Florida. When not writing about high school sports for WRUF, Alexander works as a communications intern with the University of Florida Athletic Association.

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