Turnovers doom Gamecocks on the road

The New Brockton Gamecocks (0-1, 0-1) finally got the 2020 football season started last Friday, Sept. 4, on the road against Class 3A, Region 2 foe Opp Bobcats (2-1, 1-0) and struggled to a 43-16 loss.

The Gamecocks were coming off a two-week quarantine to start the season after a player tested positive for COVID-19, while this was Opp’s third game of the season. Head coach Zack Holmes said that difference showed up throughout the game.

“I think we played like it was our first ballgame. We made some first ballgame mistakes,” Holmes said. “I thought we played hard in spurts but we weren’t consistent. It was our first game, their third game and I think that showed up and we have a lot of growing and a lot of work to do.”

New Brockton turned the ball over six times – including three bad snaps on punts that led to two touchdowns – which would be difficult for any team to overcome.

“Our punt team has to be better and we have to do a better job offensively of taking care of the football,” Holmes said. “We had bad snaps on three punts which is a major deal in a game. That can’t happen and it hasn’t happened in practice. It was our snapper and punter’s first varsity game ever and I think that was a big part of it. Opp is a great football team and you can’t do that against them and beat them.”

While things would ultimately spiral, the Gamecocks started off hot and heavy forcing a three-and-out on defense and then marching down the field on a seven-play, 73-yard scoring drive capped off by junior Jamarcus Brown’s eight-yard touchdown run to put New Brockton ahead 7-0 with 6:49 remaining in the opening period.

That lead wouldn’t last, however, as Opp’s Peyton Ellis scored on a four-yard touchdown run to tie the score 7-7 with 3:37 left in the first quarter.

“We opened the game with a three-and-out on defense and then took the ball down and scored on the first drive, but then I think Opp turned up the intensity and we didn’t match it,” Holmes said. “We have to figure out how to match that. We had 8-of-11 players on defense and 6-of-11 players on offense starting their first varsity game and I think the first time competing against another team was a big deal.

“Over the summer – with the COVID stuff – we didn’t get to do any 7-on-7s or OTAs and then we missed the first two games.”

New Brockton’s next drive stalled out near midfield and a snap that went over the punter’s head was recovered by Opp inside the Gamecock 10-yard line. As the second quarter began, Kevina Parreira scored on a three-yard run to extend Opp’s lead to 13-7 with 11:54 left in the first half. The Bobcats attempted a fake PAT but failed to convert it.

Another snap over the punter’s head was covered up by a Bobcat in the end-zone for an Opp touchdown. A failed two-point try meant Opp’s lead remained 19-7 with 9:22 left in the second quarter.

Opp and New Brockton traded turnovers and then Opp extended its lead further on an 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Hal Smithart to running back Dakota Cornelius with 3:28 left in the half. The PAT gave Opp a 26-7 lead.

Opp and New Brockton exchanged interceptions to end the first half, but Opp again stretched the lead when Parreira scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 4:54 left in the third quarter. The PAT gave the Bobcats a 33-7 lead.

Opp stretched the lead to 36-7 when the Bobcats booted a 30-yard field goal late in the third quarter and then Robbie Gafford returned a punt for a 35-yard touchdown with 7:07 remaining in the game to put Opp ahead 43-7.

New Brockton drove inside the Opp 10-yard line but a fumble gave the Bobcats the ball back. Gamecock defensive end Drew Cashin hit a Bobcat runner in the end-zone, however, recording a safety to cut the Opp lead to 43-9.

Gamecock quarterback Kaden Cupp scored on a 12-yard touchdown run with just under 20 seconds remaining to make the final score 43-16.

For the game, Opp rolled up 310 yards of offense, while holding New Brockton to just 195 yards.

Cupp completed 8-of-15 pass attempts for 63 yards with two interceptions, while also rushing for 49 yards and a touchdown. Brown rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Johnson caught three passes for 14 yards.

Defensively, New Brockton was led by Cashin with six tackles, three tackles-for-loss, a safety and two sacks. Colton Marsh recorded four tackles and an interception, while Julian Noble had five tackles and a tackle-for-loss.