Mike Ridaught
Prior to Gainesville’s home game against Bishop Moore (Orlando) on Friday night, Hurricanes’ coach Dock Pollard said that GHS had to eliminate mistakes and turnovers to beat the visiting Hornets.
However, just 11 seconds into the game, GHS made a mistake and coughed the ball up. The Hornets’ Reid Tanner recovered the ball in the end zone for a 6-0 lead (PAT failed) with 11:49 to play in the first quarter.
Fortunately, the defense came to play for the ‘Canes until the offense could get things going.
GHS (1-1) did not allow an offensive score in a 14-6 win at Citizen’s Field.
“That’s part of our calling card,” Pollard said. “They carry us. They just keep on performing. I’m not surprised.”
Senior Dyoni Hill had an interception in the end zone with 4:23 to play in the second quarter to preserve a first half shutout of the Hornets’ offense. He added a blocked field goal with 8:09 to play in the game which would have given Bishop Moore the lead again.
Shamon “Scooby” Coleman went down with a concussion last week against Vanguard (Ocala) so senior Ryan Nolan got the start at quarterback against the Hornets and made the most of his opportunity.
“I just prepared all week,” Nolan said. “I’ve always been the back-up, but now with the pressure on me I just play football.”
Nolan threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Arnold Strachan with 1:44 to play in the third quarter and Cooper Badics’ extra point gave GHS its first lead at 7-6.
“Ryan gives us a jolt of energy,” Pollard said. “He can run it and throw it. He can make plays when things break down.
Prior to the scoring toss, Nolan got injured and had to come off the field for a a play. But he re-entered on the next play and rolled to his right before finding Strachan alone in the right corner of the end zone.
“Field general,” Pollard said. “Heart of a lion, ultimate competitor. He doesn’t quit. He hates losing.”
Junior running back Kyree Edwards finished off the scoring with a 7-yard scoring run with 1:50 to play in the game.
Gainesville’s Omarion Cohens sealed the victory with an interception of Bishop Moore (0-2) quarterback Riley Willis in GHS territory with 15 seconds to play.
GHS will travel to Trinity Catholic (Ocala) next Friday.
“We need more perfection in our execution,” Nolan said. “Once we execute the plays correctly, we will put way more points on the board, we’ll move the ball, and beat teams soundly.”
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