Gators chew up yards, Tallahassee Maclay

WEWAHITCHKA — Wewahitchka’s football team needed one 12-minute stretch of excellence to produce a victory Friday night.

Wewahitchka scored touchdowns on three consecutive drives in the second quarter to obliterate a scoreless tie, and the Gators chewed up 382 rushing yards in a 41-14 victory over Tallahassee Maclay at Gator Field.

The non-district matchup was the season opener for both teams.

Colton Price rumbled for 185 yards on 11 carries, and backfield mate Dvante Baham added 129 yards on 22 rushes for the victorious Gators.

“We can all run and block and do it all,” Price said. “Our line did a great job.”

Wewa’s offensive execution in the second quarter was the difference. The Gators controlled the line of scrimmage, enabling Price and Baham (buh-HOM) to run freely and giving quarterback Beau McCorvey ample time to throw.

Price showcased a penchant for bouncing off would-be tacklers, while Baham’s legs seemed like they never stopped churning against the Marauder defense. Price scored three touchdowns, and Baham added two.

McCorvey had thrown only twice in 13 previous plays before hitting Jamaree Hunter in stride on a 32-yard touchdown pass to give Wewa a 7-0 lead early in the second quarter.

Baham extended the Gators’ lead to 14-0 on their next possession with an 11-yard touchdown run. Wewa needed just four plays to cover 67 yards on the drive. Price’s 33-yard run set up Baham’s touchdown on the next snap.

Maclay was forced to punt on its ensuing possession, and the Gators capitalized. McCorvey completed three passes for 36 yards on Wewa’s drive, and Price reeled off another 33-yard run before punching the ball into the end zone from the Marauder 2 for a 21-0 lead.

McCorvey completed 6 of 6 passes in the first half for 83 yards, including four tosses to Hunter for 53 yards. Baham and Price, who scored on runs of 4 and 20 yards in the fourth quarter, respectively, collected 73 yards apiece on the ground before halftime.

The Marauders scored a touchdown 41 seconds before halftime on Tripp Transou’s 42-yard reception on a pass from quarterback Taylor Scott.

Scott and Transou connected again on a 34-yard scoring strike early in the fourth quarter to pull Maclay within 27-14 with 11:36 remaining.

The Gators disrupted Scott and Maclay’s pistol offense, and Scott finished the contest 13-31 passing for 170 yards. Transou reeled in seven catches for 107 yards.

Wewa’s McCorvey completed 7 of 8 passes for 88 yards.