Rabbs playoffs aspirations expire with loss to Gilmer

By Tim Emmons
temmons@casscountynow.com

The Atlanta Rabbits have been looking forward to playing nemesis Gilmer in a regular season matchup instead of in the playoffs for quite some time.
The Rabbs also knew going into the tough contest that they needed a win to advance to the playoffs or a couple of other puzzle pieces to be moved into place.
After falling to the Buckeyes 47-28 last Friday night and the fact that Gladewater and Pleasant Grove won the Rabbs will miss the playoffs for the first time under Head Coach Matt McClure.

First Quarter
It was apparent from the get-go that Atlanta was trying to eat up clock time as they moved the ball at a snail’s pace compared to their normal hurry up offense.
Running plays by QB Layton Henson, and running backs Jawan King and Nick Cooper took Atlanta from the 30-yard line to near midfield in five plays.
Cooper got loose for a 17-yard gain and two plays later Henson hit Trin Taylor for a 28-yard gain down to the five.
Two plays later and Cooper was into the end zone from 1-yard out.
Jaime Campos nailed the point after and Atlanta was up 7-0 with 8:41 left in the first frame.
Without missing a beat Gilmer answered quickly with a four-play, 52-yard drive which ended with a touchdown pass at 7:27.
The PAT evened the score at 7-all.
Atlanta’s next drive was more of the same as the Rabbits ate up plenty of clock. On that drive King posted 30 yards rushing including a 26-yard gain at one point, Cooper added 30 rushing yards and Henson added 13 with his last rush accounting for another score.
Campos hit the PAT and the score was 14-7 with 3:03 left in the quarter.
On the next drive for Gilmer, Atlanta’s defense stopped the Buckeyes from advancing past the Rabbit 45.
The opening quarter ended with the Rabbs punting the ball away.

Second Quarter
An amazing return set up the Buckeyes at Atlanta’s 18 to open the new quarter.
Gilmer scored in just three plays and knotted the score at 14 after the successful PAT with 11:38 left to play in the second quarter.
Atlanta’s next drive stalled at the 10:07 mark and Gilmer took over after a punt at their own 35.
Gilmer worked their way into the redzone eventually but Atlanta’s tough defense rose to the occasion and forced the Buckeyes to attempt a field goal from the 6-yard line.
The 23-yard attempt went through the uprights and Gilmer took its first lead with 4:38 left in the first half. The Buckeyes scored later on a 41-yard touchdown pass with 27 seconds left in the half which cushioned their lead. The PAT made the score 24-14 going into the half.

Third Quarter
Gilmer opened the new half with the ball but the drive ended with an interception by Greg Young two plays later.
After another puntGilmer again moved the ball into Rabbit territory and eventually ended up just a few yards from another score, but a fumble recovered by Atlanta halted a score at the time with 5:05 left in the third.
With the ball at the 1-yard line, Atlanta’s offense was looking for a way to get some breathing room, but on the second play from scrimmage the referees awarded Gilmer a safety.
After the kickoff Gilmer burst loose for a 42-yard run and scored two plays later from the 30.
The PAT put Gilmer ahead 33-14.
With their backs against the wall Atlanta came out throwing the rock as Henson hit Ken Butler for nine yards and then found Desmond Webster on a 39-yard pass play down to the Gilmer 10.
King gained eight yards on the ground in two plays which set up Henson’s 2-yard touchdown with 1:08 left in the quarter.
The PAT was good and Atlanta was within 12 with the score sitting at 33-21. 
Fourth Quarter
Gilmer scored eight plays into the final quarter and moved the score to 40-21 after the PAT with 9:10 left in the game.
After an Atlanta punt to Gilmer and a fumble recovery back to the Rabbs at 6:29, Atlanta began their march towards the endzone from the Gilmer 39. Henson hit Taylor for a 33-yard pass down to the six and eventually connected with Hunter Roberts for a 1-yard TD pass on fourth down.
The PAT put the score at 40-28 with 4:39 left in the contest. Gilmer scored again at the 1:05 mark and ended the Rabbs’ playoff chances for the year.
Atlanta finishes the year with a visit to Spring Hill this Friday night with 7:30 p.m. start time set.