Gerorge County QB Deuce Knight scrambles out of the back field. (Photo by Randy Whitley / 228 Sports)
The season-opening Friday night matchup in Hurley between George County and East Central was expected to be a contrast in styles and played out in that very manner.
It was a game that matched a high-flying, quick-strike offense for the Rebels versus a ground and pound, “three yards and a cloud of dust” approach for the Hornets.
The team stats illustrate this point as East Central ran a total of 54 plays (just two passes) and amassed 317 yards of total offense while the Rebels ran only 34 plays, 13 through the air, to amass 316 yards.
In the process, the Rebels built a 33-0 lead late in the fourth quarter using big plays, and their bend-but-don’t-break defense kept the Hornets out of the end zone until the final minutes of the game—a 33-7 East Central victory.
East Central’s Noah Boyd and George County’s Caleb Lofton square up on the line. (Photo by Randy Whitley / 228 Sports)Montrell Dortch runs the outside for the Rebels. (Photo by Randy Whitley / 228 Sports)
East Central took the opening kickoff and set the tone with a quarterback power run-game featuring Taye Guyton and Cale Hollinghead, who chewed up nearly half of the first quarter.
A costly penalty and a big stop by the Rebels defense ended the Hornets threat, and George County wasted little time in scoring the first points of the game.
On their fourth play from scrimmage, five-star recruit Deuce Knight hit DJ McNair with a 44-yard touchdown strike and Layton Fryfogle added the extra point to make it 7-0.
East Central again went to the ground game and quickly moved into Rebels territory but an ill-advised pass by Hollinghead was intercepted by South Alabama commit Kohl Bradley and the future Jaguar took it 73 yards the other way for a pick six and Fryfogle’s extra point made it 14-0.
East Central controlled the time of possession the rest of the half and it defense got a fumble recovery and stop in the second quarter to take the game to the half with the 14-0 score.
East Central LB Matthew Combs locks in to make a play. (Photo by Randy Whitley / 228 Sports)Jacob DeAngelo pierces the line for East Central. (Photo by Randy Whitley / 228 Sports)
George County took the opening kickoff of the second half and again wasted little time getting on the board as Brandon Gautier ripped off a 67-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 20-0 as the extra point was blocked.
The Rebels defense then got its only three-and-out of the game, giving the ball right back to Knight and the offense.
A key 46-yard run by Knight set up Gautier’s second touchdown of the quarter, this from 9 yards out, and after a dropped snap on the extra point, the Rebels were in control 26-0 heading to the fourth quarter.
East Central once again drove deep into Rebels territory with a first-and-goal at the 9.
However, a five-yard penalty and a high snap had the Hornets facing fourth-and-goal at the 6. The Rebels defense, led by Bradley, Blaine Greene and Tyneke Davis, got the stop once again, this time at the 2-yard line.
Cale Hollinghead pushes through the line for a carry for the Hornets. (Photo by Randy Whitley / 228 Sports)
George County again wasted little time in covering 98 yards for their final score of the night.
Brenn Moody took a 10-yard hitch route from Knight 89 yards down to the Hornets 9, and one play later, Knight hit Montrell Dortch on a 9-yard swing pass for the touchdown. Fryfogle added the extra point and the Rebels led 33-0.
East Central’s offense finally score on its final drive as Guyton and Hollinghead carried the load with Guyton capping the drive from 4 yards out. Aaron Myrick added the extra point for the 33-7 final.
Deuce Knight finished the with 235 yards of total offense. The Notre Dame commit was completed 8 of 12 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns and rushes six times for 68 yards.
Deuce Knight finding a man down field. (Photo by Randy Whitley / 228 Sports)
Brenn Moody had four catches for 107 yards while Montrell Dortch and DJ McNair had the TD receptions.
Brandon Gautier picked 76 yards on seven carries, all in the second half, and scored twice.
A Rebel and a Hornet go head to head in this rival game. (Photo by Randy Whitley / 228 Sports)
Matt Fairley joined Greene and Bradley as the leading tackers.
Tay Guyton had a monster game for the Hornets, picking up 193 yards on 33 carries and a touchdown. Cale Hollinghead added 102 yards on 11 carries.
The Rebels host Greene County next week in Lucedale in the Battle for the Bell while East Central travels to Pascagoula to take on the Panthers.
Bryson Smith throws a stiff arm to break a tackle for East Central. (Photo by Randy Whitley / 228 Sports)
Stay up to date with 228 Sports
Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox weekly!
By signing up, you agree to acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Current sports Director at WRBE radio in Lucedale. Spent 27 years coaching at the high school level at Biloxi and George County High School. Coach Thornton is also the host of 228 Sports, "Southern Six Sports Podcast."
