It looked as if Thursday’s 4S Region 1 Quarterfinal between Buchholz and Mosley would be a back-and-forth battle after Bobcats quarterback Trace Johnson threw an interception in the endzone and the Dolphins drove down into Buchholz territory.
From there, however, the Bobcats proved why they are the top seed not only in their region but in the entirety of Class 4S. Buchholz forced a turnover on downs at their own 38-yard line before dominating their way to a 59-0 win over Mosley.
“When you’re on a team that’s hungry for a state championship, your work’s not done until game 15,” said Buchholz head coach Chuck Bell. “I’m proud that they haven’t overlooked anybody.”
Johnson shined after the interception with four touchdown passes in the first half. Two went to D.J. Hicks, including one with 14 seconds left in the half to give the Bobcats a 49-0 lead into the locker room.
The other two went to Justin Williams on back-to-back possessions in the second quarter.
“(Johnson) is a leader as a sophomore, and that’s unique,” Bell said. “He’s a guy that doesn’t get too high, doesn’t get too low. He just continues doing his job over and over and over making the routine plays routinely.”
Meanwhile, Quinton Cutler rushed for 127 yards and two touchdowns before being subbed out for the entirety of the second half. In his place, Asaph Bryant scored on a two-yard run for his first touchdown of the year.
“Great props to the o-line. They work their butt off,” Cutler said. “They fight, and that’s all I can ask for. I’m just the guy running the ball. They’re the guys creating the hole for me, and I can’t thank them guys enough.”
Jay Giunta added a 44-yard field goal with under eight minutes left in the fourth quarter to end the scoring.
With the win, the Bobcats are now 11-0 in Bell’s first season leading the program.
“I love Coach Bell in everything he does for us,” Cutler said. “I trust him with everything that he does. And I mean, that’s all we’re doing. We’re just trusting him and letting him lead the way, and he’s doing an awesome job.”
The Bobcats will match up next Friday night against the winner of Friday’s Creekside-Ponte Vedra matchup at Citizens Field.
“The best thing about 11-0 is the chance to go 12-0,” Bell said.
