Photo: Gaston’s Keller Skaggs (9) and Kodie Bogle (8) pursue Section’s Zach Cooley during the Bulldogs’ 42-28 victory in high school football on Friday, Oct. 4 at Section. (Courtesy of Brent Miller)
By Jason Bowen/Jackson County Sentinel
Gaston came up with five interceptions as the Bulldogs (2-4, 1-2) halted a four-game losing streak with a 42-28 victory over Class 2A Region 7 rival Section on Friday, Oct. 4.
Kodie Bogle had two of the Bulldogs’ interceptions, including a pick-six on the first play of the game. Section shook off that early setback, scoring two straight touchdowns to go up 14-6 in the first quarter.
In the final 1:50 of the first quarter, Section (1-6, 0-4) drove the ball downfield, threatening to score again to go up two possessions. Aaron Thomas had a 5-yard touchdown run wiped away by a holding penalty before an interception on the goal line to end the first quarter.
With the Gaston defense making another play, the Bulldog offense got a needed spark courtesy of senior running back Keller Skaggs, who ripped off a 98-yard touchdown run.
After the Lions scored on their ensuing possession, the Bulldogs scored on their final three possessions of the first half while the Section offense stalled out with a punt, an interception and a one-minute drill falling four yards short of a Section touchdown at the end of the first half, where Gaston held a 34-20 lead.
Aiden Thomas scored on an 18-yard touchdown run to draw Section within six points in the third quarter. Gaston retook their two-possession lead with another long scoring run from Skaggs, this time from 59 yards out.
Devon Green, Trey Johnson and Maddox Eagley each had an interception for Gaston.
Skaggs rushed for 205 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries. Nate Oliver carried 13 times for 78 yards, while Tommy Johnson added 67 yards on five attempts. Noah Chen ran 26 for yards on six carries and scored on a pair of two-point conversion runs. Chapman Clay was 3-for-5 in passing for 95 yards.
Gaston continues region play on Friday, Oct. 11 at Pleasant Valley.
Chris McCarthy contributed to this article
