Gatlinburg-Pittman came into Friday’s contest as the No.2 ranked in Class 3A, and more than proved their mettle by taking down West Greene 49-7.
West Greene head coach Evan Monroe said after the game “That is a good football team over there, they are well coached, they have four on their staff that have head coaching experience and they have a lot of talent. And you have to remember we’re young. I had at one time five freshmen in the game on defense trying to stop a D1 running back.”
Gatlinburg-Pittman wasted no time getting started on Friday, quickly moving 57 yards for the games first score. Tyson Sutton hit Elijah Spence for a six-yard touchdown pass, Cecilio Rodriguez added the extra point and G-P was up 7-0 at the 7:20 mark of the first quarter,
On the ensuing drive the Buffs coughed up the ball to give the Highlanders a short field at the 24 yard line. A few plays later Brayden Maples went untouched into the end zone for the score. The kick was good and the score was 14-0 with 6:20 to go in the first quarter.
Maples is a 5’10”, 200-pound D1 prospect with offers from Kentucky and Indiana to name a few.
After another three-and-out for the Buffalos the Highlanders were on the board again as Sutton found Jackson Savarese from nine yards out. The kick from Rodriguez was good and Gatlinburg-Pittman was up 21-0 with three minutes remaining in the first quarter.
On the Buffaloes third possession they found some success running off the right side, Peyton Hilton carried the ball twice and picked up a first down followed by a 13-yard run form Kyler Patterson for another first down. Austin Brown tossed a 14-yard pass to Patterson and the Buffs had signs of life as the first quarter ended.
Brown had a seven yard run to open the second quarter, and big Damion Sentelle, an offensive lineman, came in at the fullback position and picked up a couple yards. On fourth down Browns pass was incomplete and the Buffs turned the ball over on downs.
Gatlinburg-Pittman’s possession was short lived when Tristan Banks picked off a Sutton pass to give the ball back to the Buffalo offense.
The Buffaloes were unable to move the ball and went to punt but the snap went to the up back on the fake. The Landers were not fooled, and Hilton’s pass was batted down.
Maples went for 24 yards to the five-yard line and scored on the next play for a 28-0 lead after Rodriguez’ kick.
Rodriguez ran in a touchdown late in the first half and the game went to the Break with G-P leading 35-0.
With the running clock to start the third quarter the Highlanders were in no hurry and went on an 8-play drive that covered 74 yards and took nearly seven minutes off the clock. Maples ended it by scoring from a yard out.
Rodriguez scored again then once again tacked on the PAT for a 49 -0 lead with two minutes remaining in the third quarter.
The Buffs then had to start with their worst field position of the night after a penalty on the kickoff at their own 15-yard line. A false start penalty backed them up another five yards. Banks then took the handoff through the left side of the line, found his way into the secondary. He outran everyone to goal line for the Buffalo touchdown as time expired in the third quarter.
Ethan White came in for the extra point that split the uprights and the new score of 49-7.
Gatlinburg-Pittman’s next possession ended with a pass interception by Patterson. The Buffs turned the ball over on downs and the as the Landers were driving Bryan Mendoza came up with a fumble recovery to spoil the threat and the game ended with Gatlinburg-Pittman winning 49-7.
Banks had 102 yards on eight carries to lead the Buffs on offense.
Sutton was 10-of-11 for 131 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. Maples led the Landers on the ground with 83 yards and two scores.
Monroe said, “Holding an SEC caliber back to under 100 yards is something our young defense can build on”
