Central Gwinnett's 'total dominance' leads to 56-7 win over Apalachee

On Friday, the Central Gwinnett Black Knights took to the field looking for their second consecutive win in hopes of improving to 2-0 as they hosted the Apalachee Wolverines, who looked to bounce back from their season opening loss last week. The Knights made their presence immediately on the defensive side of the ball as Jayson Allen would pick off Apalachee quarterback, Howard Holloway, on the Wolverines opening drive, setting the Black Knights up in Apalachee territory.

On the ensuing possession, Central Gwinnett would establish their run game as junior running back, Andre Cooper found his way through holes established by the Black Knights offensive line, picking up multiple first downs on the drive and eventually setting up a first and goal and that led to a Makhi Cunningham rushing touchdown. With a two point conversion to follow, Central Gwinnett took an early 8-0 first quarter lead. On the ensuing Apalachee possession, the Black Knights’ defense would stand strong, forcing the Wolverines to punt and Central Gwinnett find their way into the end zone once again, thanks to a Elijah Burrell touchdown pass to Darren Coleman. With another two point conversion, the Black Knights would go up 16-0.

In the second quarter, a Zavion Plunkett rushing touchdown would help the Black Knights take a 23-0 lead, but the Wolverines would finally respond on the ensuing possession as Holloway would connect with Colin Eishen, who would race down the sideline into the end zone for the touchdown and with the extra point, Apalachee trailed 23-7. However, from there, it would be all Central Gwinnett as they would score 33 unanswered points in route to a 56-7 victory. Two of the scores coming on behalf of the Black Knights special teams as they would recover a bad snap on a Apalachee punt attempt in the end zone and then another Wolverines punt attempt resulting in a block by Allen and recovery and score by Cai’Rey Kittles.

“It was all total domination,” Central Gwinnett head coach, Larry Harold said after the win, praising his special teams and defense for the work that have been putting in when preparing for their opponents. “We got two special teams touchdowns, defense only gave up seven points and then we moved the ball all night long,” Harold said and crediting the Black Knights’ offensive line for their run game success. “We feel like we’ve got the best o-line coach in the state, Coach Marshall Hayes,” Harold added about the win but emphasized that the victory was largely in part “due to the hard work these young me have put in since January. They’ve been doing a great job,” Harold said.

Up next for Central Gwinnett will be Jackson County next Friday on the road.