By: J. Daniel Pearson
Gateway’s defense held Liberty to just 43 net yards in registering a 24-0 win over the Chargers during a rare Wednesday night game in Osceola County, that was moved from Thursday due to approaching Hurricane Helene.
“Really, we did?” Gateway coach Marlin Roberts said when asked about his team shutting out an opponent for a third time in their last four games. “To tell you the truth, I doubt our guys even realize that. We do not have many seniors or juniors on this team, but the ones we do, have not seen a lot of success or wins over the last couple seasons. Even if they did realize they got another shutout tonight, I can promise you they are a lot happier with the win.”
The victory leveled the Panthers record at 3-3 and was their third win in their last four games after going just 2-22 in their last 24.
Even if you take out the 26 yards Liberty lost on two bad snaps, Gateway’s defense still limited the Chargers to less than 80 yards of total offense. They recorded two quarterback sacks, five other tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, as well as interceptions by Jeremiah Barnes and Isaiah Noel.
“We certainly got a good effort on defense tonight,” Roberts said. ““I am super proud of the players; it doesn’t matter who you are playing, it’s hard to shut anyone out.”
While the defense was doing its job, the Gateway running game was hitting its stride.
Freshman standout Nydrell Thigpen (122 yards) and Joshua Fuller (147) combined for 268 yards rushing and three touchdowns in the win. It was Thigpen’s third 100-yard rushing game of the season; while Fuller – a senior leader –is just starting to get back in the groove after missing the first three games of the season with an injury.
Gateway was able to take advantage of great field position all night.
Fuller’s 15-yard touchdown run and Thigpen’s 1-yard score in the first half came after short drives of 37 and 27 yards were set up by a shanked Liberty punt and the interception by Barnes as the Panthers took a 14-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.
In fact, the Panthers would start eight of their nine drives in the game on the plus-side of the field; with an average starting position of the Liberty 41.
It was that good field position that set up all of Gateway’s second half points. Nick Avales booted a 23-yard field goal after Gateway took over on the 35 after a bad center snap on a punt and Fuller raced 45-yard for a touchdown on the first play after a fumble recovery.
“Based on the field position we were getting all night, about the only negative is that we were not too efficient on offense,” Roberts said. “We are trying to keep things fairly simple, but we missed some blocks, had some bad snaps of our own and threw an interception. But when you are playing that many young guys, those things are going to happen it’s going to be a learning experience.”
Liberty fell to 2-4 with the loss. Dylan Kennedy led the Chargers with three receptions for 20 yards and an interception; XaeVyn Brown rushed for 22 yards on seven carries and QB Richard Monplasir completed five of 15 for 37 yards.
Both teams will play at home next week, with Liberty hosting Celebration and Gateway taking on cross-town rival St. Cloud. ““I’ve known Mike (St. Cloud coach Mike Short) a long time and I know he loves to throw the ball around,” Roberts added. “It will be a big challenge for us to try to contain that offense.”
Scoring Summary
Liberty 0 0 0 0—0
Gateway 14 0 10 0–24
G: Joshua Fuller 15 run (Nick Avales kick)
G: Nydrell Thigpen 1 run (Avales kick)
G: Avales 23 FG
G: Fuller 45 run (Avales kick)
