Last week: Gaston 27, Randolph Co. 15; Sand Rock 20, Pisgah 7
2012 result: Sand Rock 49, Gaston 6
Series record: Gaston 18, Sand Rock 15
By Gene Stanley/Sports Correspondent
It didn’t take long for Gaston High to win a game for Swane Morris, who returned to Shinbone Ridge after three years coaching at Scottsboro.
“Well, I don’t know how good (Randolph County) is and I don’t know how good we are,” Morris said. “It usually takes three or four games before you get a good reading on your team. But it’s always good to get the first win of the season – and it was especially nice for me to get this one.”
The Bulldogs won by doing things the old-fashioned way – following the coaches’ instructions.
“They played defense the way we asked them to,” Morris said. “The line blocked well and the runners ran hard. As a coach, when I see the kids do all of that, I know we have a chance to win.”
Meanwhile, Sand Rock took a 20-7 victory over Pisgah last Friday. Dylan Mackey completed 9-of-13 pass attempts for 97 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 40 yards on 16 carries with a score.
“He’s hard to defend because of his running ability and his passing ability,” Morris said. “You’ve got to stay in coverage but at the same time, you’ve got to try and flush him out of the pocket. He does things that the opposition doesn’t like to see.”
Against Randolph County, Braxton Collins rushed for 205 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 17 carries. Shai Ogles and Jailyn Britton also scored touchdowns