Payton Watson had three touchdowns and threw for two more in Gprdonsville's win over Nashville Christian.
Some wondered if the bye week Gordonsville earned in the first round of the TSSAA playoffs this year would actually come back to hurt the team. The Tigers addressed those concerns early and often last Friday night in the team’s impressive win over the Nashville Christian Eagles, 55-13.
The Tigers dominated in every phase of the game, defensively allowing only 152 total yards, causing a fumble and three interceptions. Offensively, the Tigers had 417 total yards in the game and had touchdowns from six different players.
In reality, outside of two fumbles late in scrub time, the only people on the field that seemed to slow Gordonsville down much were the men in pinstripes, by delivering some questionable calls throughout the contest.
Gordonsville had a huge night on the ground, gaining 321 yards in the contest. Besides Watson, three other Tigers had rushing
Kaleb Bush catches a touchdown against Nashville Christian.
touchdowns in the contest. Tyler Coleman was the leading rusher in the game, running for 84 yards and a score. Sophomore, Kaelin Cason had 67 yards and a score and freshman, Billy Newton, added 47 yards a touchdown.
Gordonsville took control of the game early, going on a five-play, 66 yard scoring drive, culminating in 6 yard Tyler Coleman scamper for a touchdown to give the Tigers an early 7-0 lead.
It didn’t take long for the Tigers to strike again as Jacob Looper intercepted NC quarterback, Ryan Young’s pass deep at the Gordonsville 11 yard line. After a big 54 yard run by Tyler Coleman put the Tigers at the NC 26 yard line, Watson found Kaleb Bush for a 26 yard touchdown strike to put the Tigers up by thirteen. The PAT failed and with just 2:56 gone in the game, Gordonsville led 13-0.
Both teams would swap possessions but then the Tigers’ defense decided to contribute to the scoreboard as Payton Watson intercepted Ryan Young’s pass, and raced 26 yards to the end zone for a defensive touchdown. Gordonsville went for two and succeeded, and with 2:14 left in the first quarter the Tigers led 21-0.
Gordonsville would again force an Eagle punt and Watson would find Vincent Escobedo for a 51 yard touchdown strike as time expired in the first quarter to expand Gordonsville’s lead to 28-0.
Kaelin Cason had 67 yards and a touchdown against Nashville Christian.
Two plays into Nashville Christian’s next possession, Payton Watson would get his second interception of the game. Fifty seconds later, Watson would get his second touchdown on a 29 yard scamper to give Gordonsville a 35-0 lead at the 10:50 mark of the second quarter.
The Blue and White would force another NC punt but their ensuing drive would stall after the officials failed to hear Coach Ron Marshall’s plea for a timeout. Marshall would be flagged on the following play in perhaps the most controversial turn of events in the game.
Gordonsville didn’t stay down for long though, as Watson would score again on a 24 yard keeper to send the Tigers into half-time with a gigantic, 42-0 lead.
With the mercy rule in effect, the clock ran continuously when the second half began, however, the Tiger themselves weren’t feeling very merciful.
After forcing an NC punt, the Tigers only needed three plays and a 60 yard touchdown sprint by Kaelin Cason to increase their lead to 49-0 with 6:49 left in the third.
Vincent Escobedo catches a touchdown against Nashville Christian.
Coach Marshall would begin filtering in underclassmen throughout the rest of the contest, allowing NC to string together their most impressive drive of the game. The Eagles would eat up the rest of the third period but the Tigers would make an stout goal line stand to keep the Eagles from scoring, but after a Tiger offensive miscue on the Gordonsville two-yard line, NC was able to breach the scoreboard first the first time on a Phillip Booker two yard touchdown dive to narrow Gordonsville’s lead to 49-7.
Nashville Christian would score again after another Tiger fumble on a 42 yard run by Booker but the PAT would fail and with 5:25 left,the Tigers led 49-13.
The younger Tigers would get their own score on the ensuing drive when freshman Billy Newton rumbled 45 yards for the final score of the game. The PAT failed and Gordonsville got their first playoff win of 2011, 55-13.
With the win, the Tigers will travel to Rutherford County this Friday to take on number one seeded Eagleville, after the Eagleville Eagles defeated Columbia Academy 21-7.
