By Sarah Morton
Contributing Writer
Twitter – @SarahCarlieUF
The Gainesville Hurricanes are on a roll winning four games in a row heading into their game against Buchholz. It’s a non-district game for the pair. However, it’s still a rivalry game given that both schools are located in Gainesville, Fl. The ‘Canes currently have a 4-1 record and the Bobcats have a 3-2 record.
Previous Game
Gainesville beat Forest (Ocala) last Friday, 46-7. The ‘Canes scored 39 points before the half. Even though Gainesville easily beat Forest the team still had 12 penalties. This is something the team has been struggling with the past few weeks. GHS QB Luke Matthews went 21 for 32 with 345 yards and 1 TD. The two leading rushers were KZ Hutchinson and Niles Cromwell. Hutchinson had 11 carries for 59 yards and 4 TDs. Cromwell had 10 carries for 95 yards and 2 TDs.
Last week Buchholz was on bye. The week beforehand, however, the team beat Belleview, 57-0. QB Camden Orth went 4 for 6 with 91 yards and 2 TDs. E.J. Cason had 10 carries for 91 yards.
The Stats and Top Players
In rushing yards, the two teams are similar with the ‘Canes putting up 141.6 yards per game and the Bobcats posting 149.8 yards per game. In the passing game, Gainesville is the better team as they put up 314.8 yards per game compared to Buchholz’s 185.2 yards. On defense, the ‘Canes average 58.6 tackles a game and the Bobcats average 63.4.
Nile Cromwell is the leading rusher for Gainesville with an average of 63.2 yards a game. In the passing game, Matthews is averaging 314.8 yards a game. On the defensive side on the ball, Caleb Washington averages 8.4 tackles per game.
Samuel Holmes leads the Bobcats in rushing averaging 75 yards a game. Orth puts up 167 yards per game through the air. Terrence Young on defense averages 8.6 tackles a game.
More GHS-Buchholz analysis:
By Chrissy Voltoline
Contributing Writer
Twitter – @chrissyvolt
Buchholz Bobcats
Coach: Mark Whittemore
Record: 3-2
Key Players: Terrance Young (Sr., SS), Blake Mitchell (Sr., WR), Edward Cason (Sr., RB), Jakhai Mitchem (Sr., SB), Trent Whittemore (Sr., WR, FS), Isaiah Michel (Sr., WR), Camden Orth (Sr., QB), Terrell Jackson (So., WR), Noah Keeter (Sr., DE, TE), Roderick Jackson (Sr., WR), Samuel Holmes
Outlook: The Bobcats will be back in action this Friday after having a bye last week. In their last match on Sept. 21, It was strictly business for the Bobcats who pummeled Belleview in a 57-point shutout. This 57-0 defeat lifts the teams total scoring points to 147 on the season. Senior quarterback Camden Orth started things off for his team by throwing a 40-yard spiral to Blake Mitchell, recording the first score of the night. Orth and his teammates kept up the tempo for the rest of the game, never taking their foot off the gas. Although Belleview had not won a single match in 2018, business is business, and the Bobcats did their job. Buchholz will have to spring back into action this Friday when they take on a rival game against the Gainesville Hurricanes, 4-1, a team who will prove to be a bigger challenge for the Bobcats.
Gainesville Hurricanes
Coach: Patrick Miller
Record: 4-1
Key Players: Niles Cromwell (Sr., RB), Kz Hutchinson (Jr., RB), Luke Matthews (Sr., QB), Alex Hood (Jr., K), D’verik Daniel (Sr., SS), Isaac Meacham (Sr., WR), Donneirius Taylor (Jr., WR), Jalen Kelsey (Sr., WR), Jaylen Brown (Sr., DB), Alex Brown (So., WR), Caleb Washington (Jr., LB)
Outlook: The Gainesville Hurricanes are entering this Friday on four-game winning streak. Last week, the Hurricanes ravaged Forest High School in a 46-7 win. Hurricanes’ quarterback Luke Matthews was on fire, completing 21 passes and throwing for 345 yards. Running back KZ Hutchinson scored 4 touchdowns and on defense, junior linebacker Caleb Washington recorded 14 tackles, helping his team secure the win. The Hurricanes will strap back up tomorrow night to play the Buchholz Bobcats away. Last year, the Hurricanes came out on top in a 31-21 win over the Bobcats and were also 4-1, like they are now.
Tonight’s game will be broadcast on local radio (92.1 FM in Gainesville and 100.1 FM in Ocala). Click here to listen online.
The game will also be video streamed through the NFHS Network. CLICK HERE TO WATCH.
Coverage begins at 7 p.m. with former Gator Ahmad Black joining the pregame show. Former Gator QB Shane Matthews will be the halftime guest to offer first half analysis.
