North's Monte Johnson runs the ball up the field on a kickoff return during a game Thursday against Warren County Middle School. The Gators lost the game by a score of 34-0.
North's Monte Johnson runs the ball up the field on a kickoff return during a game Thursday against Warren County Middle School. The Gators lost the game by a score of 34-0.
The North Middle School Gators lost to the Warren County Pioneers 34-0 at home Thursday in their first game of the season.
The Pioneers jumped ahead early and pulled away in the second half while the Gators were not able to get their offense going in the shutout loss.
The Gators started the game with the ball but quickly turned it over to the Pioneers. The Pioneers then moved down the field and scored a touchdown with 3:31 remaining in the first quarter to take a 6-0 lead.
The Gators went three-and-out on their second possession of the day, and their ensuing punt was returned for a touchdown by Warren County to put the deficit at 14-0 in the final minute of the opening period.
North’s defense came up with two stops on fourth down against the Pioneers in the second quarter as both defensive stands halted drives into their territory.
The Gators trailed 14-0 at halftime.
The Pioneers struck quickly on their opening possession in the third quarter as a long touchdown run grew the lead to 20-0 less than two minutes into the second half.
The Gators were forced to punt on their first drive of the second half with their ensuing kick being blocked and returned to their own 5-yard line.
The Pioneers scored another touchdown a few plays later to make it a 28-0 game with 3:29 remaining in the third quarter.
After another punt by the Gators was returned to North’s 20-yard line on the first play of the fourth quarter, the Pioneers found the end zone one more time shortly after as a touchdown pass on fourth down put the Gators in a 34-point hole with five minutes remaining.
The Gators gained some momentum on the ensuing kickoff as Monte Johnson ran the ball back to midfield, but they would once again be stopped and forced to punt without moving the ball much.
The Pioneers ran the clock out from there to seal the 34-point loss.
With the loss, the Gators started the season with a record of 0-1.
They will next play on Aug. 12 at South Pittsburg Middle School. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
