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BGA smokes McGavock for Rodriguez’s first win




Briston Bennett (6) and Garnett Hollis Jr. (13) celebrate a Hollis Jr. touchdown receptionBrad Jones

Briston Bennett (6) and Garnett Hollis Jr. (13) celebrate a Hollis Jr. touchdown receptionBrad Jones

NASHVILLE — The McGavock Raiders faced a tough task in their 2019 season opener, hosting DII-A state runner-up Battle Ground Academy on Friday night.

McGavock had its moments, but ultimately, BGA surged past the Raiders for a 48-21 road win.

“We had some speed and we thought we would be able to do some good things,” McGavock coach Julius Gore said.

 “We are fortunate that we have some guys that have been very productive with the football,” BGA coach Jonas Rodriguez added. “We did a nice job in our passing game, and I am proud of our effort and execution.”

With 6:14 remaining in the first quarter, BGA drew first blood when Purdue commit Antonio Stevens recovered a fumble and raced 40 yards for a touchdown. 

The Wildcats padded their lead to 14-0 with a 31-yard touchdown pass from senior Nick Semptimphelter to Northwestern commit Garnett Hollis Jr. with 1:50 remaining in the first quarter.

Antonio Stevens scoops up a McGavock fumble and returns it for a touchdownBrad Jones

Antonio Stevens scoops up a McGavock fumble and returns it for a touchdownBrad Jones

McGavock provided some fireworks 12 seconds later with a 95-yard kick return touchdown from senior Kevontae Dorris, cutting the BGA lead to 14-7. 

BGA continued the scoring frenzy in the second quarter with a long touchdown pass from Semptimphelter to Hollis Jr. with 11:37 remaining to stretch the lead 21-7. A scoop-and-score on a blocked punt by Xavier Shaw added to the BGA lead, 28-7. 

With 11 seconds before halftime, Semptiphelter delivered a 6-yard strike to senior running back Briston Bennett to run the Wildcat lead to 34-7. McGavock blocked the extra point.

In the third quarter, Semptimphelter threw a 56-yard missile to Hollis Jr., who collected his third touchdown of the game to extend the lead 41-7. 

“(Hollis Jr.) is a playmaker,” Semptimphelter. “We have been working a lot this offseason, and it came together today.”

McGavock answered back with an 11-yard touchdown run from Dashay Griffin with 2:53 remaining in the third quarter to close the gap 41-14.

BGA QB Nick Semptimphelter fires a pass outside to Garnett Hollis Jr.Brad Jones

BGA QB Nick Semptimphelter fires a pass outside to Garnett Hollis Jr.Brad Jones

However, Semptimphelter tossed his fifth touchdown strike of the game just before the end of the third quarter to Stevens to increase the BGA lead to 48-14. 

“Nick did a great job of reading the defense,” Rodriguez said. “He is a very intelligent quarterback and has a good feel about where to put the ball.”

McGavock got a late rushing touchdown with 39 seconds remaining in the game from sophomore Isaiah Burns to tally the final score of 48-21. 

“We had kids that did not quit and kept on playing hard,” Gore added.

Next week, McGavock will travel to Lebanon to take on the Blue Devils. 

“We have a lot of room for improvement,” Gore said. “On Monday, we will go to work and try to work out the kinks.”

BGA's Kaleb Seay (5) is facemasked as he stiff-arms a McGavock defender on a run outsideBrad Jones

BGA’s Kaleb Seay (5) is facemasked as he stiff-arms a McGavock defender on a run outsideBrad Jones

Dontavous Griggs (6) looks for running room on the outside edgeBrad Jones

Dontavous Griggs (6) looks for running room on the outside edgeBrad Jones

First-year BGA coach Jonas Rodriguez watches as the Wildcats put the finishing touches on his first winBrad Jones

First-year BGA coach Jonas Rodriguez watches as the Wildcats put the finishing touches on his first winBrad Jones

Flags are displayed during the singing of the national anthemBrad Jones

Flags are displayed during the singing of the national anthemBrad Jones

Garnett Hollis Jr. races to the end zone for one of his three touchdowns against McGavockBrad Jones

Garnett Hollis Jr. races to the end zone for one of his three touchdowns against McGavockBrad Jones

Jeremiah Mathews (74) paves the way for Marcus Johnson to gain positive yardageBrad Jones

Jeremiah Mathews (74) paves the way for Marcus Johnson to gain positive yardageBrad Jones

Kaleb Seay stretches out to make an acrobatic reception for the WildcatsBrad Jones

Kaleb Seay stretches out to make an acrobatic reception for the WildcatsBrad Jones

Kevonte Dorris (3) tries to break free from BGA's Antonio Stevens (3)Brad Jones

Kevonte Dorris (3) tries to break free from BGA’s Antonio Stevens (3)Brad Jones

Marcus Johnson (1) tries to break free from a BGA defenderBrad Jones

Marcus Johnson (1) tries to break free from a BGA defenderBrad Jones

Marcus Johnson looks for an open receiverBrad Jones

Marcus Johnson looks for an open receiverBrad Jones

McGavock head coach Julius Gore looks up at the scoreboardBrad Jones

McGavock head coach Julius Gore looks up at the scoreboardBrad Jones

McGavock nearly blocks a field goal by BGA's Jack SauderBrad Jones

McGavock nearly blocks a field goal by BGA’s Jack SauderBrad Jones

McGavock's Clarence Crawford (2) tries to chase down BGA's Antonio Stevens (3)Brad Jones

McGavock’s Clarence Crawford (2) tries to chase down BGA’s Antonio Stevens (3)Brad Jones

McGavock's Dontavous Griggs (6) wraps up BGA's Jorian Cantrell (7)Brad Jones

McGavock’s Dontavous Griggs (6) wraps up BGA’s Jorian Cantrell (7)Brad Jones

McGavock's Trey Lacy (10) tries to bring down BGA running back Zach Flores (34)Brad Jones

McGavock’s Trey Lacy (10) tries to bring down BGA running back Zach Flores (34)Brad Jones

The McGavock band takes the field during halftimeBrad Jones

The McGavock band takes the field during halftimeBrad Jones

The McGavock cheerleaders try to hype the crowd up against BGABrad Jones

The McGavock cheerleaders try to hype the crowd up against BGABrad Jones

The McGavock coaching staff watches on from the sidelinesBrad Jones

The McGavock coaching staff watches on from the sidelinesBrad Jones

The McGavock color guard prepares to preform in front of the fansBrad Jones

The McGavock color guard prepares to preform in front of the fansBrad Jones

The McGavock Raiders storm the field for their 2019 home openerBrad Jones

The McGavock Raiders storm the field for their 2019 home openerBrad Jones

 

 

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