VANCLEAVE — The George County Rebels’ offense could be described as explosive and efficient Friday night, scoring two touchdowns on their first two plays in their 28-14 victory against the Vancleave Bulldogs.
The Rebels produced 28 points on only 27 snaps throughout the game. George County improved to 3-1 and surpassed last season’s win total.
Vancleave finds itself in a three-game losing streak after defeating St. Martin in Week 1. Kevin Fant’s crew can look back on missed opportunities in this one.
Vancleave won the toss and deferred. On the first play from scrimmage, sophomore Branden Gautier took it 75 yards, and 21 seconds into the game, the Rebels were up 7-0 after Layton Fryfogle’s extra point.
The Vancleave offense went three and out and the Rebels wasted no time in adding to their lead.
Quarterback Gage Reeves hit Marlin Odom in stride for a 70-yard touchdown pass, and three minutes into the game, it was 14-0 after another Fryfogle extra point.
Vancleave got on track as the Bulldogs drove 85 yards in 13 playsccapped off by a 33-yard touchdown pass from Hunter Parker to LaytoncEder on fourth-and-15. Jordyn Hoda’s extra point cut the lead in halfcwith two minutes to go in the quarter.
The Rebels’ offense continued to be efficient as Jacobe Street scored from 7 yards out to push the lead to 21-7 late in the second quarter. The big play on the drive was a 7-yard scramble by Reeves on fourth-and-5 after the snap went over his head.
The Rebels’ defense knocked down a Hail Mary in the end zone to end the first half.
Vancleave took the second-half kickoff. With Kyle Capers getting direct snaps in a power Wildcat formation, the Bulldogs ran more than six minutes off the clock.
The drive came up empty when DJ McNair intercepted a Hunter Parker pass in the end zone on fourth down.
The Bulldogs were able to get the ball back, forcing a Rebels punt from their own 30 with under two minutes to go in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs would then turn to Derik Forehand, and he would key a scoring drive that would take nearly six more minutes off the clock in the third and fourth quarters.
Forehand’s 1-yard plunge cut the lead to 21-14 with seven minutes to go in the game.
George County thought it had made a stop on the drive when Parker was sacked, but the Rebels were called for a horse-collar tackle. Three plays later, Forehand scored.
Jacobe Street recovered the ensuing onside kick, but the Bulldogs’ defense got the ball back when River Brown picked off Reeves and returned it into Rebels territory with under five minutes remaining.
Forehand and Parker got the Bulldogs deep into Rebels territory, but with under three minutes left, the George County defense made one last stop on fourth down to end the Bulldogs’ threat.
The Rebels’ offense went to work to seal the game. Street ripped off a 35-yard run to start the drive, followed by a 15-yard jaunt by Gautier and a tripping penalty by the Bulldogs to give the Rebels first-and-goal.
Street capped off his two-touchdown night with a 9-yard scoring run and the Rebels’ defense closed out the win.
George County finished with 200 yards rushing. Branden Gautier led the way with 111 yards on just 8 carries. Street added 63 on 8 carries as well.
Gage Reeves, subbing for an injured Brenn Moody, was 3-of-5 for 74 yards passing with one touchdown to Marlin Odom and one interception. Blaine Greene continued to lead the defense with 12 tackles, including a sack.
Derik Forehand had a huge night for Vancleave, racking up 152 yards on 30 carries and a touchdown. Kyle Capers added 62 yards on 12 carries. Hunter Parker was 6-of-12 for 83 yards with one touchdown to Layton Eder and one interception.
Vancleave (1-3) hosts undefeated Hancock next week while the Rebels (3-1) finally get back home to take on the Wayne County War Eagles.
