TAKE DOWN – Alvord’s Shane McKinney makes the tackle against Gunter Friday. Messenger photo by Mack Thweatt
Gunter’s Rhett Taylor picked off a pass from Alvord quarterback Cassidy Patterson with 5:49 left in the first quarter and returned the interception 65 yards for the Tigers’ first score. Cade Cruce’s kick gave Gunter the early 7-0 lead.
Cruce scored two touchdowns in the second quarter – the first on a 10 yard run with 11:50 left in the quarter and the second on an 11-yard catch from J. Bailey with 11 seconds left before halftime. That gave the Tigers a commanding 21-0 lead at the half.
Gunter put the game out of reach in the third quarter, scoring on touchdown runs by Dakota Hunter (3 yards) and Cruce (5 yards). Cade Driskill added a 25-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to cap the scoring.
It was a tough varsity debut for Bulldog quarterback Patterson, the sophomore who was called up from the junior varsity squad due to injuries. He completed 3 of 9 passes for 15 yards with three interceptions. Casen Baker led the Bulldogs in rushing with 45 yards on 11 carries.
Cruce had a game-high 106 yards rushing and 37 yards receiving and three touchdowns to lead the Tigers. He also was 3 for 4 on extra point kicks.
Alvord drops to 1-4 on the season heading into a bye week prior to the start of district play. Gunter improves to 4-1 on the year.
GUNTER 41, ALVORD 0
Gunter … 7 … 14 … 1 … 3 … 7 – 41
Alvord … 0 … 0 … 0 … … 0 – 0
FIRST QUARTER
Gunter – Rhett Taylor 65 INT return; Cade Cruce kick
SECOND QUARTER
Gunter – Cruce 10 run; J. Bailey run for 2
Gunter – Bailey 11 pass to Cruce; kick failed
THIRD QUARTER
Gunter – Dakota Hunter 3 run; kick failed
Gunter – Cruce 5 run; Cruce kick
FOURTH QUARTER
Gunter – Cade Driskill 25 run; Cruce kick
GUNTER … ALVORD
First downs … 18 … 8
Rushes – yards … 38-262 … 28-73
Passing yards … 43 … 15
Total yards … 305 … 88
Comp – Att – Int … 3-8-0 … 3-9-3
Punts … 2-37 … 4-31
Fumbles – lost … 2-0 … 2-1
Penalties – yards … 9-85 … 2-10
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing – Alvord, Casen Baker 11-45; Gunter, Cruce 11-106
Receiving – Alvord, Ty Silvey 1-12; Gunter, Cruce 2-37
Passing – Alvord, Cassidy Patterson 3-9-3-15; Gunter, Bailey 3-8-0-43
