By BILLY HARRELL

From the Roanoke-Chowan News Herald

GATESVILLE — Gates County’s early season success continued here Friday night.

Quarterback Jawan Riddick threw for a pair of scores and ran for another while the GCHS defense flexed its muscle, keeping their guests out of the end zone, as the Red Barons remained unbeaten with a 33-3 drubbing of Southside.

For the game, Gates County (3-0) amassed 387 total yards of offense, 247 of which came on the ground. Southside (2-2) did muster 211 total yards (201 rushing).

Trailing 18-3, the Seahawks wasted a golden opportunity to try and remain close midway the second quarter where they drove to the Red Barons one-yard line. However, they lost a fumble on a running play and Gates County defender Jordan Robinson recovered to end the threat.

The 18-3 margin remained at halftime and it appeared it would stand through three complete periods of play, until the Red Barons struck for two touchdowns over the final 17 seconds of the quarter.

The first came in one big play, a 55-yard scoring pass from Riddick to Robinson, who had snuck behind the Southside secondary and was wide open down the sideline. Riddick tossed the ensuing two-point conversion pass to Ron Olsen, stretching the Gates County lead to 26-3 with 17 ticks left on the third quarter clock.

Southside fumbled the ensuing kickoff, which Kenyell Ballard recovered at the Seahawks’ 40-yard line. On the game’s next snap, Riddick found Ty’rell Holley wide open across the middle of the field and the two connected on a 40-yard scoring strike. Caleb Brickhouse added the PAT kick to account for the 33-3 finale.

Gates County opened the game’s scoring, driving 73 yards on just three plays and capping it with Olsen’s 34-yard touchdown scamper. Holley ran in the two-point conversion, staking the Red Barons to a quick 8-0 lead at the 10:54 mark of the first quarter.

Olsen, who finished with 101 rushing yards on 12 carries, accounted for all 73 yards on Gates County’s opening drive.

Southside answered with what would prove as their lone scoring drive of the game. Starting from their own 25, the Seahawks used the legs of their leading rusher Jonquil Haywood. He had four carries on the drive for 32 yards, helping his team reach the Red Barons 15-yard line. The drive stalled at that point, leading to a 35-yard field goal off the foot of Luke Matthews with 5:50 remaining in the first quarter.

Haywood finished the night with 64 rushing yards on a dozen attempts.

Back came the ‘Barons as they responded with a four play, 71-yard drive capped by Riddick’s electrifying 63-yard jaunt to pay dirt on an option keeper. Brickhouse booted the PAT, increasing Gates County’s lead to 15-3 at the 3:35 mark of the opening period.

Brickhouse accounted for the Red Barons’ lone score of the second quarter, drilling a 42-yard field goal with 9:35 left in the first half.

Southside will look to bounce back from tonight’s loss when it travels to North Duplin next Friday.