Pirates break in new field with rout of Brookland

GOSNELL -- It didn't take Gosnell long to break in the end zone on its brand new artificial turf.

The Pirates had 35 on the board before the start of the second quarter and cruised to a 55-13 win over Brookland in their home opener and first 3-4A conference game of the season.

"We really jumped out strong," Gosnell head coach Gary Moody said. "I thought there were a lot of guys who contributed on both offense and defense. We had some big plays on both sides of the ball. We were able to get those points quickly in that first quarter and maintain it in the second quarter. Because we were able to get such a big lead, we were able to play everybody in the second half and get some guys some reps. All in all I'm pleased with them."

Gosnell's only scare came with 8:30 left in the game -- and it had nothing to do with the scoreboard.

Following a defensive play, lineman Levi Ketchum laid on the turf for several minutes before being carted off.

Ketchum injured his right knee on the play.

"I think he dislocated his knee cap," Moody said. "They're going to take him to the hospital to check everything and make sure. That's just not something we were equipped to deal with here so certainly we hope that's all it is. If it is, they should be able to pop it back into place. We're immediately going to check on him."

Gosnell improved to 3-0 on the season and 1-0 in league play.

The Pirates gave the large home crowd plenty to cheer about, racing to a 49-0 lead at halftime and invoking the mercy clock in the second quarter.

They outgained the Bearcats 388-18 in the first two quarters. Gosnell's Carlos Blackman piled up 133 yards and scored three touchdowns on just five carries in the opening half, and the Pirate defense held Brookland to just one first down.

Immediately following the first down, Brian Anderson picked off Brookland's Garrett Barnes -- one of three Bearcat turnovers in the first half and four in the game.

"It was nice to get to play here on our field," Moody said. "Our guys were excited to play on it and obviously they played well on it. It would be great if we could win every game we play on it. That would be awesome, but I thought we had a really nice crowd tonight. Big crowd. We would love to have that, for these guys, all year. Anytime they can get that kind of support, it's exciting and hopefully our guys are playing at a level that is exciting for people to watch. There were some big plays in this game for sure tonight. I'm just real happy with them."

Blackman opened the game with a 36-yard run, then scored from 11 yards out three plays later with 10:21 left in the first quarter. He also booted the extra point, nailing 7 of the 8 PATs on the evening.

On the third play of the ensuing series, Gosnell's Brandon Partee scooped up a fumble and returned it to the Brookland 5. On the next play, Brian Anderson ran into the end zone untouched for a 14-0 lead at the 8:44 mark.

Anderson's interception ended Brookland's next series, and Gosnell got on the board again when Blackman burst up the middle for a 56-yard touchdown on the first play. His PAT made it 21-0 with 6:42 left in the opening quarter.

The Pirates were just getting started.

Partee's 37-yard strike to DJ Jones set up Gosnell's next score, a 28-yard Blackman run at the 3:57 mark that made it 28-0.

On the kickoff, the ball got past the Brookland returner and rolled to the end zone, where Gosnell's Ronnie McShan fell on it. However, the officials ruled the ball wasn't touched, setting up Brookland at the 20.

Following a Brookland three-and-out, Jones added to the advantage with a 39-yard touchdown for the 35-0 lead.

Gosnell scored twice more in the half -- both on McShan runs. McShan ran it in from 25 yards out with 6:14 left in the half. After teammate Mike Gates pounced on a Bearcat fumble, McShan raced 44 yards to paydirt with 1:52 left in the half, giving the Pirates a 49-0 lead at halftime.

With the big lead, Moody emptied his bench in the second half as every Pirate played in the game.

Brookland got on the scoreboard when Dallas Whitaker took the second half kickoff 82 yards to the end zone, making it 49-7.

Gosnell's final score came on Marquel McKinney's 55-yard pick-6 with just 25 seconds left in the third quarter.

Brookland set the final margin with an eight-yard Weston Adams to Whitaker touchdown connection with just over six minutes to play.

Gosnell finished with 336 total yards, including 290 on 25 carries.

The Pirates held Brookland to just 65 yards, including just 28 on the ground.

Gosnell travels to league foe Cave City Friday night, looking to stay perfect on the season.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

mbrasfield@blythevillecourier.com