GAINESVILLE -- JD Sosebee grinned -- "We like getting our hands on the ball as a defense," the Red Elephants senior linebacker said.<br />
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Right now the Red Elephants defense is getting its hands all over everything, including opponents.<br />
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Just ask Salem.<br />
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Gainesville forced six turnovers, scored off one and spent the most part of four quarters stuffing the Seminoles en route to a 29-6 victory on Friday at City Park.<br />
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The Red Elephants also scored on a safety, allowed just 215 yards and also scored on special teams to help ensure the victory.<br />
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"The last two games the defense has just been huge," Gainesville coach Bruce Miller said. "We've just got to start helping them on offense."<br />
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The Red Elephants (4-1, 4-0 Region 8-AAAAA) struggled to find any offensive rhythm, managing just 216 yard of their own and scoring a sole offensive touchdown.<br />
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"We've got to get the ball in the end zone," Miller said. "We had improved on offense each week since that Grayson loss (in the season opener) until tonight. We took a step back tonight. I think the inability to run the ball really hurt us."<br />
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Even with a healthy Michael Byrd in the backfield, the Red Elephants managed just 40 yards on the ground.<br />
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"We've got to do a better job run blocking," Miller said. "Michael played well coming back tonight, but he never really had much room."<br />
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Thanks to the Red Elephants defense, it didn't matter. Gainesville forced three fumbles and three interceptions -- including 70-yard pick off return from Demichael Borders that turned the game for good at 9-0 late in the second quarter.<br />
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"That play was huge," Miller said. "The defense just played super. You can't say much more about them."<br />
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Gainesville wanted to get its offense going but spent most of the first half playing defense, managing just four possessions -- yielding three punts and a fumble. Turned out that wasn't such a bad thing, however, as the Red Elephants defense scored for a second straight contest.<br />
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The first score came when the Red Elephants pinned Salem running back Hasan Boddie in his own end zone, earning a safety and a 2-0 lead just five seconds into the second quarter.<br />
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Gainesville's defense made an even bigger splash just before halftime -- though Salem (4-2, 4-1) gave a helping hand when a holding penalty on the Seminoles pushed the visitors back to the Red Elephants 31 for second and 16. The very next play, Toddrick Turner and Demichael Borders both stepped in front of a Salem pass -- Borders ripped the ball away and ripped off a 70 yard touchdown play to give Gainesville a 9-0 advantage.<br />
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The dramatic takeaway set the stage for another big play on the Seminoles' ensuing possession.<br />
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This time Gainesville defensive tackle Jamel Dabney got things going with a monstrous nine-yard sack, forcing a 34-yard punt that Turner gathered and returned 72 yards for a touchdown. The score came with just 38 seconds left in the half and yielded a 16-0 lead at the interval for a team that had gained 107 yards in the half, though Gainesville's defense allowed just 111 and forced two turnovers.<br />
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The Red Elephants continued to inch away on two 32-yard field goals by Chandler Staton before Gainesville finally got its offense in the end zone with less than two minutes to play, as Mikey Gonzalez (19 of 26 for 176 yards) found Byrd for a 17-yard score. Undeniably, however, the night belonged to the Red Elephants defense.<br />
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"It's going to get tougher next week," Sosebee said. "We've just got to do what we do: fight to the ball and make plays out there."<br />
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Certainly the Red Elephants will want their best game next week when they travel to face undefeated Lanier in a battle for first place in Region 8-AAAAA. <br />
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<b>SCORING SUMMARY</b><br />
<b>SALEM</b>................0....0....0.....6 -- 6<br />
<b>GAINESVILLE</b>....0...16....3...10 -- 29<br />
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<b>Second Quarter</b><br />
GHS -- Safety, 11:55, 2-0<br />
GHS -- Borders 70 interception return (Staton kick) 3:06, 9-0<br />
GHS -- Turner 72 punt return (Staton kick) :38, 16-0<br />
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<b>Third Quarter</b><br />
GHS -- Staton 32 field goal, 1:13, 19-0<br />
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<b>Fourth Quarter</b><br />
GHS -- Staton 32 field goal, 7:15, 22-0<br />
SHS -- Boddie 10 pass from Hernandez (pass failed) 5:22, 22-6<br />
GHS -- Byrd 17 pass from Gonzalez (Staton kick) 1:57, 29-6
