Mike Ridaught
Last week the Gainesville football team had its best offensive output under second-year head coach Dock Pollard with 57 points at Matanzas (Palm Coast).
On Friday night, the Hurricanes’ offense picked up where it left off.
Junior John Cooper, the Sonic Drive-In Player of the Game, rushed for three scores, including a 93-yard touchdown run, as GHS defeated Santa Fe (Alachua), 49-14, at Citizen’s Field.
“My line executed,” Cooper said. “I’ve got to give it out to the coaches, they taught me well.”
Cooper gave GHS (4-1) a 7-0 lead on a 9-yard scoring run with 8:33 to play in the first quarter.
“That’s back-to-back weeks for him,” said Pollard, who noted Coleman’s 156-yard rushing effort at Matanzas. “I don’t expect anything less from John. I’m not surprised that he’s had another big game this week.”
Following an interception by Ahmad Strong, the Hurricanes took a 14-0 lead on a 5-yard touchdown run by Marion Mitchell.
The lead expanded to 21-0 in the first quarter.
After a turnover on downs by Santa Fe (0-4), Gainesville took over at the Raiders’ 29-yard line and took advantage of the short field.
Quarterback Shamon Coleman found tight end Khamari Frazier on a 16-yard scoring pass for a three-score lead.
“I couldn’t be more happier and more proud of this group of guys,” Pollard said. “Young and inexperienced on the offensive line and stepping up to the learning curve. They’ve accepted the challenge and they are responding to the challenge.”
Coleman also threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Brent King for a 42-7 lead with 1:08 to play in the first half to ensure a running clock in the second half.
Pollard said that Coleman’s performance has been “gutsy” after battling back from a concussion in the season opener at Vanguard (Ocala).
“That kid is only 15 years old and most 15 year old’s are on JV,” Pollard noted. “He’s had to be thrust into a position that maybe he wasn’t even ready for but he didn’t back down from it. He just continues to get better and better.”
Cooper added a 21-yard touchdown run for a 28-0 lead and his 93-yard scoring run gave the ‘Canes a 35-7 lead with 4:!6 to play in the half.
Santa Fe’s Keyon Carter scored from three yards out in the first half and Blake MCCormick snuck it in on a 4th-and-goal at the one-yard line for the Raiders only scores on the night.
Coleman finished with three touchdowns. His 9-yard scoring pass across the middle to Cameron Boykins finished off the scoring with 5:17 to play in the game.
It was the fourth win in a row for the Hurricanes, who will be off next week and play rival Buchholz on Thursday, Oct. 7.
Santa Fe, which was playing without starting quarterback Landon Rogers, who was injured, and head coach Jared Allen, who was suspended, will play at P.K. Yonge next Friday, Oct. 1.
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