Bragging rights for the city of Gainesville remain in the hands of the Buchholz football program.
With a 35-7 win over Gainesville on Thursday night, the Bobcats claimed yet another city title and their first under head coach Chuck Bell. Additionally, Buchholz’s senior class now moves to 4-0 against the Hurricanes and has never lost to an Alachua County opponent.
“One of my best life memories is beating GHS for the city championship when I went to Buchholz,” Bell said. “When you’re a Gainesville guy, you’re a 352 guy, you’re ACR, whatever you want to call us, this thing matters, man.”
Senior Quinton Cutler, who recently battled an ankle injury, showed no signs of slowness, even if Bell said he was “98.2%” healthy. The running back rushed for three touchdowns and caught another all in the first half.
“I just want to do everything I can to help the team come out with a big victory,” said Cutler, who was named the Sonic Drive-In Player of the Game for the second time this season. “O-line played great. Our whole team played great. I’m just happy for everyone.”
The Bobcats subbed out all their starters after taking a 35-0 halftime lead.
Buchholz dominated the game from the opening kickoff. Jordan Richardson’s 75-yard return set them up with a short field, and Cutler took advantage with a six-yard touchdown run.
A quick three-and-out and another long return by Richardson set up a Trace Johnson touchdown pass to Justin Williams with 5:35 left in the first quarter.
“We’re a very multiple team to where, if we need to run the ball to win, clearly, we showed we can do it. If we need to throw the ball to win, in the past we’ve shown that we can do that,” Bell said. “Tonight, I’m sure it seems like the numbers are pretty balanced.”
Cutler’s second rushing touchdown, this time from five yards out, plus a missed two-point conversion attempt, left the Bobcats with a 20-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Cutler added second quarter scores on a 26-yard reception and a 17-yard run.
Myles Graham added a two-point conversion to seal a running clock the rest of the game.
Gainesville, meanwhile, would finally score with 7:45 left when Mason Brewer hit Matthew Johnson for a 59-yard touchdown.
It was the first Gainesville touchdown in the rivalry since 2019.
The Hurricanes (1-6) will go on the road next Friday against 3S District 4 rival Matanzas.
Buchholz (6-0) will play three straight contests against 4S District 3 rivals starting at Oakleaf next Friday.
Thursday results
Buchholz 35, Gainesville 7
Oak Hall 52, Harvest Community (Jacksonville) 7
