Gainesville routs Salem for homecoming, Clarke Central looms

GAINESVILLE -- Another game, another big win.

Gainesville football fans might be tempted to expect this kind of showing every Friday -- because it's happened five straight weeks now.

The Red Elephants routed Salem 58-8 on Friday at City Park, bringing their Region 8-AAAAA record to 5-0. Over that span, the Red Elephants have outscored region foes 274-27.

Yet fifth-ranked Gainesville (6-1, 5-0 Region 8-AAAAA) knows there will be no coasting next week, as they head to Clarke Central to face one of the two other teams with spotless 8-AAAAA records.

Salem stood little chance against an efficient Red Elephants offense led by quarterback Deshaun Watson. The senior finished 20 of 28 passing for 270 yards -- part of 304 yards through the air for Gainesville.

Orrin Ragland, Rodney Lackey, Chris Williamson each caught touchdown passes in the win, while Michael Byrd rushed 12 times for 89 yards, leading a Gainesville ground game that rolled up 162 yards.