The first edition of the ‘Drive for the GHSA State Title’ for the 2024 season features a road trip for Class 5A No. 3 Gainesville (2-0) traveling to Class 6A Westlake (1-1) for a game to be broadcast on the Peachtree Sports Network.
Gainesville is 2-0 after beating Marietta 41-3 in the team’s season opener. Last week, the Red Elephants defeated Alabama’s Moody 31-7. Westlake opened with a 52-21 loss to Class 5A No. 2 Langston Hughes but rebounded against Class 3A No. 3 Douglass-Atlanta 23-7 last week.
Kickoff is 8 p.m. Friday, so let’s look at the numbers behind the matchup thus far this season and don’t forget to WATCH LIVE.
Gainesville Red Elephants
– Head Coach – Josh Niblett
– Record – 2-0
– Region – 7-5A
Offensive Highlights
– Quarterback – Kharim Hughley – 16-of-20 passing for 246 yards, 1 touchdown.
– Receiving – Shane King, nine catches, 127 yards; Jeremiah Ware, six receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD
– Rushing – Carmelo Byrd, 16 carries, 111 yards, 2 TDs; Hughley, 4 carries, 1 TD; Taz Smith, 1 carry, 21 yards, 1 TD; Dacien Cohen, 1 carry, 1 TD
Defensive Highlights – Xavier Griffin, five tackles, 1 assist, 2 tackles for loss, 2 sacks; Trent Jones, 4 tackles, 1 assist, Jamarcus Sims, 3 tackles, 2 assists; Roman Best, 4 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack; Darryn Williams, 5 tackles, 2 tackles for loss; Demari Cheeks, 3 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 2 sacks; Judah Knight, 1 interception
Westlake Lions
– Head Coach — Morris Mitchell
– Record – 1-1
– Region – 2-6A
Offensive Highlights
– Quarterback – Sean Smith, 24-of-54 passing for 440 yards, 3 TDs
– Receiving – Travis Smith Jr, 12 receptions for 261 yards, 2 TDs; Deion Thomas, five receptions for 65 yards and 1 TD.
– Rushing – Naeem Odeniyi, 42 carries for 196 yards and 1 TD; Tomir Bransford, 23 carries for 151 yards and 2 TDs.
Defensive Highlights
– Sekou Peters, 7 solo, 2 assists, 1 TFL; Chase Story, 6 solo, 3 assists; Jordan Newton, 3 solo, 1 assist; Leo Dorsey, 3 solo, 1 TFL; Sebastion Wimbush, 2 solo, 4 assists, 2 TFL; Jamari Benjamin, 1 interception; Jalen Delapierre, 1 interception
Loading ...
