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Shoot out in Midland City
It's been said that records are
made to broken - another saying - you can't get there from here. Both
could have been true this past Friday Night as the Florala Wildcats
traveled to Midland City for their final regular season game. The drive
over seemed to take us to the middle of no where - although a straight
shot it seemed like the drive was taking us no way and with no visible
signs to the school we felt like bugs - "flying toward the light".
However, once the game started there was never a dull moment.
Last season Florala scored on the opening kickoff to take an 8-0 lead,
but wouldn't get in the end zone again and lost to the Warrior's 8-9.
Seventeen total points over four quarters. This year, both teams would
pass that in the first quarter and blow it out by half time.
It's been said that records are made to broken - another saying - you
can't get there from here. Both could have been true this past Friday
Night as the Florala Wildcats traveled to Midland City for their final
regular season game. The drive over seemed to take us to the middle of
no where - although a straight shot it seemed like the drive was taking
us no way and with no visible signs to the school we felt like bugs -
"flying toward the light". However, once the game started there was
never a dull moment.
Last season Florala scored on the opening kickoff to take an 8-0 lead,
but wouldn't get in the end zone again and lost to the Warrior's 8-9.
Seventeen total points over four quarters. This year, both teams would
pass that in the first quarter and blow it out by half time.
Calvin Mulkey took the opening kickoff 7 yards to the Wildcat 28 where
the setup the nights first touchdown drive. #1 Reggie Gundrum got the
most carries and ended the drive with a two yard touchdown run, but it
was setup by Mulkey's pass reception from TJ Fleming and a 30 yard gain
that help setup the Wildcats inside the ten yard line. The point after
was no good and Florala help an early 6-0 lead with 7:09 remaining in
the first quarter. The 4:51 seconds was the longest time period the
Wildcats would hold the ball all night.
 Dale
County's Cord Bennett set a tone on the Warriors first possession and
also set a Florala mark by gaining the most yards against a Florala
defense in history, 403 yards with four touchdowns. With less than 1:16
seconds off the clock the Warriors wend ahead 6-7 over the Wildcats.
Florala next possession ended after one play with an interception and a
37 yard return for touchdown putting Dale County ahead 6-13. The
Wildcats followed their previous possession with another turnover - this
one on a fumble after a fourteen yard gain that set Dale County on their
own 32.
Although two quick turnovers had just occurred, the Wildcats didn't look
out of control in the game. Dale County drove the ball down the field
and was held to a fourth and goal at the twenty. Senior Danny Bise
stepped in front of a Warrior pass as the two and returned the
interception 98 yards for a Florala touchdown and the two point
conversion was good as OJ Chambers carried the ball into the endzone
giving the Wildcats a 14-13 advantage to end the first quarter of play.
The second quarter provided fans with their first sense of the remainder
of the night when Dale County scored to go ahead 14-21. The Wildcats
quickly returned the favor when OJ CHambers scored his first touchdown
of the night from thirteen yards out. TJ Fleming kicked the extra point
that made it over the bar by inches tying the game 21 All.
The Wildcat defense stepped up and held Dale County into their first
punt of the night. A seven yard attempt that allowed Florala the ball at
the thirty eight yard line. Reggie Gundum carried the ball three times
for 25 yards and his second touchdown putting the Wildcats ahead to stay
27-21. Cliff Goolsby recovered a Dale County fumble on the one yard line
and the next play - Gundrum had his third
 touchdown
and a 35-21 Wildcat lead.
The Wildcat defense who many felt could hold the Warriors again put Dale
County in a punting position after three plays and the Wildcats took
over on their own thirty yard line.
The quick score offense went to work and TJ Fleming hit Danny Bise down
the right side of the field for a 70 yard touchdown strike putting the
Wildcats comfortable ahead 43-21 with 1:24 remaining in the half. Cord
Bennett of Dale County wasn't finished as the running back slipped
through the line and with :11 seconds cut the lead to 43-28 and the
highest combined total halftime score in Wildcat history 71 points.
After a wonderful half time performance by the Wildcat Marching Pride
and the Dale County band, the Warriors went to work and with less than
two minutes gone cut the lead down o 43-35.
Gundrum had his longest run from scrimmage during the regular season -
an 81 yard scamper that only took 19 seconds off the clock, but put the
Wildcats back on top 49-35.
The Wildcat defense stepped up again and forced the Warriors to punt and
the Florala began moving the ball until a Fleming pass was picked off by
DC. Dale County took the next four minutes to score and cut the lead
back to eight points 49-41 and kicked off back to the Wildcats.
Florala setup at their 35 yard line and on the next play - Fleming found
Mulkey for a 65 yard scoring reception giving Florala a 57-41 lead with
:19 seconds remaining.
The game continued it's back and forth motion and Dale County took the
opening fourth quarter and :17 seconds to cut the lead back to eight
57-49. Florala then went into ball countered with a twelve play 70 yard
drive that took 4 minutes and 30 seconds off the clock when OJ Chambers
scored from three yards out for the Wildcats last touchdown 65-49.
Dale County scored again with 4 minutes remaining making the game 65-57
and Florala gained possession but was held to three and out and forced
into their first punt of the night, a 44 yard kick that
 put
Dale County on their own 21 with 2:42 remaining in the game.
The Wildcats would have to call on their defense to win this game. After
a first down and the ball on the thirty-seven, Reggie Gundrum blitz from
the weak side and caught the Warriors quarterback for a 15 yard loss. On
the next play sophomore Zack Taylor was in the right position to tackle
a warrior for a loss on an attempted screen. Gundrum caught the QB for
another loss on third setting up a fourth and thirty five.
Florala got the ball back with 3.5 seconds and held on for an 8 point
victory in a 122 point slug fest.
The Wildcats improve to 8-2 and move into the first round of the AHSAA
1A playoffs. Florala host AL Johnson with game time scheduled for 7:00
PM.
pictures -
Florala Wildcats
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