JACKSONVILLE — Gilmer Buckeyes quarterback Luke Turner rendered an aviational art show, throwing four first-half touchdowns as undefeated Gilmer waylaid the winless Jacksonville Indians, 44-22, Friday night at the Tomato Bowl.
Gilmer built a 27-0 lead at halftime on the strength of Turner’s throws. Meanwhile, the Buckeye defense set up three Gilmer touchdowns on the night by totting up takeaways.
Turner completed 16 of 30 passes on the evening for 224 yards while surrendering one interception on a tipped ball. He also ran for 58 yards on 14 deliveries, all before halftime.
Gilmer was sharp from the outset, taking the opening kickoff and going 69 yards in 12 plays to score on Turner’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Gavin Holt. Pablin Olivares airlifted the first of five successful PATs with 7:23 left in the first quarter.
Gilmer scored on its next possession on Turner’s 28-yard toss to Darrion Pollard, and the kick failed with 5:33 left in the first quarter.
The Buckeyes tallied on their next possession after Gilmer’s Tanner Barr filched a pass from Jacksonville quarterback Andrew Black at the Indian 48.
On the eighth play afterward, Turner shipped a 14-yard TD to Traylon Webb.
The PAT made it 20-0 with 1:36 still left in the first quarter.
Yet another Jacksonville turnover, a fumble recovered by Daniel Smith, led to the next Gilmer scoring play. Turner shipped a 6-yard shovel pass to Webb with 5:23 left in the half.
Jacksonville rebounded momentarily, taking the second-half kickoff and steaming 82 yards to score on Black’s 31-yard pass to Darrell Minifee. Rodrigo Carreon airlifted the PAT with 9:15 remaining in the third quarter.
But Gilmer promptly hiked 73 yards in six plays to score on Holt’s 2-yard dash with 7:46 left in the quarter.
After an interception by Colton Hill off Black, Webb whizzed 11 yards on a reverse to score with 5:06 left in the third.
After a Gilmer 28-yard field goal with 30 seconds left in the third quarter, the Indians tallied on a 41-yard sprint by Ladarius Session. Black passed to Minifee for a 2-point conversion with 5:13 left in the game.
Scoring concluded when Black rifled a 23-yard pass to Dadrian Franklin, and Ryan Travis airlifted the PAT with 15 seconds remaining.