Bobcats claw back to stun Tigers in region clash

October 25, 2025

Charles Wilson / BartowSportsZone.com

Peyton Chancey's four touchdown runs powered the Gilmer Bobcats to a dramatic 28-21 comeback victory over the Adairsville Tigers on Friday night in Ellijay, capping a wild fourth quarter that featured two successful onside kicks, a blocked PAT, and a controversial call that swung momentum in a Region 7-AAA showdown.

Gilmer leaned on its ground game from the opening whistle, with Chancey capping an 11-play, 65-yard drive at the 5:41 mark of the first quarter with a 7-yard touchdown scamper. Carter Gearhart's PAT made it 7-0. 

Adairsville turned it over on downs on its ensuing possession, but Gilmer couldn't add to the lead after Gearhart missed a 31-yard field goal with six seconds left in the quarter following a 6-play, 24-yard march.

The Bobcats extended their advantage in the second quarter when Chancey plunged in from 2 yards out to finish an 8-play, 80-yard drive at the 6:13 mark, pushing the score to 14-0 after Gearhart's kick. 

Adairsville finally answered late in the half, as Braxton Elrod orchestrated a 9-play, 65-yard series ending with his own 7-yard touchdown keeper at 0:27. Cooper Souders' PAT cut it to 14-7 at halftime.

The third quarter belonged to Gilmer's defense and clock management. 

Adairsville went three-and-out on the opening possession, and the Bobcats took over at their own 20-yard line with 10:08 remaining. They methodically marched to the Adairsville 20 and held the ball for the remainder of the period, setting up a pivotal final quarter.

Gilmer struck first in the fourth on a grueling 14-play, 80-yard drive that consumed nearly five minutes, with Chancey scoring from 1 yard out at 10:58. Colt Sanford blocked Gearhart's PAT attempt, keeping it 20-7. 

Adairsville responded immediately, needing just three plays to cover 71 yards, highlighted by Elrod's 30-yard touchdown strike to Sanford at 10:03. The PAT made it 20-14.

The Tigers weren't done. They executed a successful onside kick and recovery, then drove 49 yards in seven plays for Elrod's 4-yard touchdown pass to Evan Hardin at 6:16, taking their first lead at 21-20 after the PAT.

Adairsville attempted another onside kick, but controversy erupted when the ball appeared to touch a Gilmer player first before being recovered by the Tigers. Officials ruled that Adairsville touched it initially, awarding possession to Gilmer.

The Bobcats capitalized, driving 49 yards in eight plays and punching it in with Chancey's 1-yard touchdown run at 1:20. Hunter Brittain's 2-point conversion run extended the lead to 28-21.

Adairsville mounted one final push but, out of timeouts, managed only one first down before going four-and-out. Gilmer knelt to run out the clock and seal the win.

Chancey finished with 103 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries, while Elrod accounted for two scores through the air and one on the ground for the Tigers.

The Adairsville signal-caller was 12-for-22 passing for 135 yards. He rushed for 69 yards on 15 attempts. Sanford had seven receptions for the Tigers for 99 yards and one touchdown. 

Gatlin Fair had 11 total tackles for the Adairsville defense. Matthew Cook finished with ten.

Adairsville (4-4 overall, 3-2 region) hosts Heritage-Catoosa next week, while Gilmer (5-4, 2-3) travels to Ridgeland for its regular-season finale.

~~ Larry Gardner contributed to this report.