Mullins runs for 5 TDs as Pirates rout Brookland

GOSNELL -- All week, Gosnell head coach Gary Moody emphasized the importance of getting off to a strong start.

Message received.

The Pirates opened up a 28-0 lead less than 13 minutes into Friday's 3-4A opener with Brookland, then rolled to a 42-14 win in front of a large homecoming crowd.

Behind a dominating performance from the offensive line, Gosnell senior tailback Marcus Mullins had a monster night, rushing 14 times for 220 yards and five touchdowns, while playing just the first half and the first series of the second half.

Four of those scores came in the first two quarters as Gosnell enjoyed a 35-0 lead at halftime and watched the mercy clock run the entire second half.

"We tell them all the time, we don't pay attention to that," Moody said of Mullins' gaudy stat line. "As long as Gosnell scores we're happy and that's what I tell the kids. But he had another strong night for us. And I was really pleased with our offensive line. I thought they did an outstanding job."

Gosnell (3-1, 1-0 3-4A) dominated every aspect of the game against previously unbeaten Brookland (3-1, 0-1 3-4A).

The Bearcats entered the conference opener averaging about 40 points per game, but they didn't score on the Pirate first team defense.

Gosnell defensive tackle Dequez Murphy set the tone on the first play of the game, sacking Brookland quarterback Drake Rainwater. The Pirate defense stuffed nine plays for losses and four more for no gain in the first 24 minutes alone, limiting Brookland to just 54 total yards in the first half.

"Big Dequez Murphy starts things off for us every week it seems like," Moody said. "Big play in the backfield right off the bat. I thought Jerry Henry played very, very well. We moved Jerry to defensive tackle a couple of weeks ago and he has really produced for us there. We've got two big strong guys inside and it makes such a big difference for us. And then Javion Lee at one end and we really alternated TJ Anderson and Tiberius Real (at the other end) and got solid play out of those guys. Our defensive line is becoming a really tough unit and that helps our linebackers out tremendously. We got solid play again out of those guys, Ethan Ballard and (Michael) Miller and Carlos Blackman. A really good job by them and then with (Ricky) Gable and (Colton) Godsey and Griffin in the secondary, just a great team win tonight."

After the Pirate defense forced a three-and-out to start the game, Mullins got Gosnell on the board quickly.

On the Pirates' first offensive play, Mullins darted around the left side for a 53-yard touchdown run at the 9:37 mark of the first quarter. Gable, who was a perfect 6 of 6 on PATs, booted the extra point to make it 7-0. After the Pirate defense got a quick turnover on downs at the Brookland 37, Mullins added to the lead with a 16-yard touchdown run. The play capped a five-play series and increased the margin to 14-0 with 5:32 left in the first.

A Murphy sack on the fourth play of the ensuing series forced another turnover on downs at the Brookland 27. On the next play, Pirate quarterback Dwight Griffin connected with Godsey on a would-be score, but a flag negated the touchdown.

However, six snaps later, Blackman bulled into the end zone from a yard out to make it 21-0 with 1:50 left in the opening quarter.

Again, the Bearcats turned it over on downs deep in their territory via a sack at the 25.

And once more, Gosnell made them pay.

Mullins' 19-yard run set up his six-yard score with 11:17 left in the second quarter.

"Marcus, again, ran the ball extremely hard," Moody said. "(Quarterback) Dwight (Griffin) ran the ball; Carlos ran the ball. If we'll block for each other and be unselfish, we can be good offensively. Again, we had some great play by our D-line. Big plays in the backfield, tackles for loss. I thought our secondary played well tonight and defended some pass very well. Our linebacking crew made some great plays. I'm really happy with how we played this game tonight."

Gosnell added one more score before the break. After another Brookland turnover on downs at its own 35, Mullins broke a 14-yard touchdown run at the 1:40 mark. Brookland threatened to answer, driving to the Pirate 14, but Brian Anderson picked off Rainwater in the end zone to end the threat and keep it a 35-0 game at halftime.

The Pirates went 50 yards in six plays on the opening drive of the second half. Mullins' 11-yard touchdown run -- his fifth TD -- capped the drive with 6:10 left in the third, giving Gosnell a 42-0 lead. Then, Moody inserted his second string offense and defense.

On Brookland's first second half series, Rainwater hit Chris Collinsworth for a 24-yard touchdown against the second team defense, preventing the shutout and making the score 42-6 following the failed two-point try.

Brookland's other score came on the final play of the game, when Rainwater found Blake Yarbrough on a 70-yard touchdown connection. The two-point conversion set the final margin.

"We really prepared well all week," Moody said. "The kids really did a great job. Homecoming week, our kids were ready to play. They weren't distracted. It was just a great team effort. Offense. Defense. Special teams. Our offensive line really played well tonight. They really did a fine job of blocking, and our receivers and running backs blocked for each other well. That's something we've really been harping on in practice, let's become better blockers for each other at running back and receiver."

Gosnell totaled 330 yards, including 321 on the ground.

Behind Mullins, Griffin finished with eight carries for 48 yards, while Blackman added four totes for 46.

Brookland finished with 205 total yards, led by Rainwater's 7 of 17 passing for 165, two touchdowns and the interception.

Gosnell will travel to Cave City Friday night, looking to move to 2-0 in conference play.

mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com