Gore continues to make statement in Class A after rolling past Panama
By Patrick Kays
GORE - When the gates opened, Gunner Dozier and the Class A No. 2 Gore Pirates got rolling and dominated every aspect of the game, crushing their A-8 district foe Panama, 62-0.
Dozier scored his first of five rushing touchdowns on the opening drive of the game, capping off an eight-play 62-yard drive with a 3-yard touchdown two minutes into the game to make it 7-0 following the extra point.
That 3-yard score was his shortest score of the game by far as the rest of his cash-in’s were from 33, 50, 55 and 27 yards out respectively, adding to an impressive total of 308 yards on 14 carries to go along with those five touchdowns.
His ability to break tackles shined tonight.
“He is a four-year starter for us. He knows what it is all about, you know that’s what the weight room will do for you,” said Gore coach Brandon Tyler. “It shows on Friday nights when people try to arm-tackle him and he runs right through it.
"He is a big ol’ strong back, and I am glad he is on our team.”
Dozier credits his line for the success.
“The biggest part was the line,” he said. “They did a heck of a job. They had a big push every single time and it made my job easy.”
Pirate quarterback Noah Cooper added a couple of scores through the air, finding receiver Liam Edwards twice for touchdowns, once for 28 yards late in the first to make it 21-0. The other took place in the second quarter, a 41-yard strike to make it 41-0.
Hunter McGee also joined in on the fun with a 40-yard punt return in the second to make it 35-0. He would have had a second return touchdown had it not been for an unnecessary block in the back due to some pushing and shoving well behind the play.
The game went to a running clock following a Jackson Duke rushing score to make it 62-0 with five minutes left in the third quarter.
Defensively, the Pirates (8-0, 4-0) stood like a wall at midfield, as the Razorbacks (5-3, 3-1) did not get an opportunity to snap the ball on the Pirate side of the field until well after the running clock had started in the second half at the 2:40 mark in the third.
Even then, that play resulted in a penalty that pushed Panama back onto its side of the field, and the Razorbacks would not get past midfield again.
This is the Pirates' sixth shutout of the season.
“Defensively, I thought they played lights out,” said Tyler. “Seeing the Wing-T is something we haven’t seen in a while, but we responded well in practice all week and it showed (Friday).”
Duke looks at the responsibility of each person in credit to their defensive success.
“We just had to line up and do our job,” said Duke. “That's what we have been taught. Line up and do your job, and everything else will fall into play.”
Gore’s win settles the Pirates solely at the top of their district, as they came in tied with Panama at 3-0 in the district standings.
The Pirates host Haskell (4-4, 2-2) for Homecoming next week as Gore looks to continue it 8-0 season with a win and place themselves as frontrunners for a gold ball in Class A.
“I think it is as wide open as it has ever been,” said Dozier. “It is the best shot we have ever had at Gore.”
As for Panama, the Razorbacks will play host to Central Sallisaw next week.
