Gatewood’s slow start to the season is quickly becoming just a memory. The Gators turned in what head coach Jeff Ratliff called “their most complete performance of the season” Friday night in Eatonton, rolling through Trinity Christian 48-13 for their third-straight win. More importantly, it put Gatewood 1-0 in GIAA A/AA District 2 play.
After opening the season with three straight losses, Gatewood improved to 3-3 overall, while Trinity fell to 2-4. The win was particularly satisfying for the team and its coach, as the Crusaders had beaten them in the regular season each of the past two years.
Ratliff said he sensed before kickoff that his players were ready.
“I thought as we took the field pregame, all that locker room stuff, I thought they were as focused as they had been all year,” he said. “When we went out on the field, I felt like they were loose, and they were ready to play.”
Gatewood took the opening kickoff 78 yards in five plays, with freshman quarterback Bennett Haley scoring from five yards out. Senior running back Sean Bennett added an 11-yard touchdown later in the opening quarter before Trinity cut the margin to 14-6.
The Crusaders’ comeback effort lasted only seconds, however, as Bennett returned the ensuing kickoff 70 yards for another touchdown.
Gatewood eventually piled up 302 rushing yards, led by 170 for senior Landon Moreno.
“Landon really put on a show,” Ratliff said. “I thought we ran the option well. Bennett [Haley] did a good job reading it. We did a good job blocking, and Landon hit the hole really hard.”
Junior running back Brady Haley added 89 rushing yards, including second-half touchdown runs of 47 and 34 yards. Ratliff also credited seniors Jack Wooten and Drew Burke for helping set the tone on an offensive line that continues to improve.
“It starts with our O-line,” Ratliff stated. “They’re playing really well. They’re getting better and better each week, and the backs are running hard.”
Haley continued his development at quarterback, too. In addition to his rushing touchdown, he connected with wide receiver Drew Love for a 15-yard score shortly after a Gatewood interception. Ratliff said Haley’s ability to distribute the ball has made the offense increasingly difficult to defend.
“He understands the game, so that’s going to be fun coaching him the next few years,” Ratliff said. “Bennett’s going to throw to the open receiver, and they’re going to run good routes, and they’re all going to make good plays.”
After holding Riverside Military Academy to just six points the previous week, Gatewood’s defense delivered another strong performance, too. Ratliff praised defensive linemen Burke, Ford Rocker, and Colton Cheek, as well as linebackers Moreno and Brady Haley.
After Trinity’s first-half touchdown, the Crusaders did not score again until a 90-yard, fourth-quarter drive. By then, Ratliff had turned much of the game over to his freshman and sophomore reserves.
“And they played well, too,” Ratliff said. “I was pleased with our effort from top to bottom, start to finish; we played our best game. It wasn’t all perfect, but I thought we played pretty good.”
The victory also carried playoff implications. Gatewood and Trinity are both Class AA schools within District 2, making the win important for postseason seeding.
Ratliff also mentioned Gatewood held its annual “Gold Out” for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month on Friday night, with the team wearing special uniforms after students accepted donations throughout the week, with additional contributions made at the game.
“The student body did an incredible job,” the coach said. “And the fans and families, they showed up, and they all contributed. It was all around a good night.”
Gatewood will try to keep the momentum going this Friday after making a two-hour trip to Woodbury to face another district rival in Flint River Academy (3-2).