Gordo’s visiting Green Wave held Opp to one touchdown, and ended their playoff dreams Friday night.

The Bobcat defense held strong against undefeated and fourth-ranked Gordo in the first quarter, which was scoreless.

But less than three minutes into the second period, the visitors unleashed a powerful running game to launch a three-touchdown scoring run that Opp could never answer.

Gordo forced Opp to punt, and took possession at their own 21. Backed up further by penalties, the Green Wave ran two long plays up the middle for 91 yards and pay dirt. The PAT was good, and Gordo led 7-0 with 9:36 left in the second.

Gordo forced on Opp punt on the next possession, then set up their second score with strong runs, aided by Opp penalties. With 3:16 in the half, the Green Wave scored and kicked good to extend their lead, 14-0.

The visitors held the Bobcats deep in their own territory in their next possession. When the Green Wave intercepted, they were able to again set up a score to extend the halftime lead to 21-0.

Gordo received the kick to open the third, but a fired-up Opp defense held them on downs. In a punt attempt, Gordo’s center snapped the ball over the punter’s head. Opp recovered deep in Gordo territory. The ‘Cats called a fumblerooski  – trick play first invented by John Heisman in which the quarterback takes the snap, then deliberately leaves the ball on the ground – technically, a fumble. A lineman scoops the ball up, and – if the trick works, as it did for Opp – scores.

The Bobcats went for two, but were unsuccessful, and trailed 21-6.

Gordo again went to its running game on the next possession, and extended their lead, 28-6.

When Opp received, they mounted several successful runs, and moved to the Gordo 39, thanks in part to a successful pass to Cale Pierce to keep the drive alive.

The Bobcats held Gordo on the next series, forcing a punt. But penalties again plagued Opp when it got roughing the kicker and unsportsmanlike conduct on a Gordo punt play.

On the next down, Gordo stayed with their running game. The Bobcats stopped the Wave on third down, but it was deja vu all over again with another roughing the kicker penalty that gave Gordo a first down.

Keeping their running game inside the tackles and up the middle, Gordo scored from the 2 with four minutes left, ending the scoring at 35-6.

 

 

Opp went farther this season into the playoffs than they ever have before, but fall two wins shy of the title game. Opp finishes the season with a 9-5 record.