By Robert Haddocks
Eric Forrest threw for 402 yards and two touchdowns and Central Gwinnett’s defense shut down Shiloh as the Black Knights romped in a 44-0 victory.
Forrest spread the ball to his fleet of receivers, led by Major Bellamy who caught both touchdowns, including a 68-yarder. His catch and run gave Central a 14-0 first-quarter lead as the Black Knights cruised to a 28-0 halftime lead. Forrest finished the first half with more than 300 yards passing, playing pitch-and-catch with Bellamy, Azaviar Kufour, Sam Westmoreland and others. The senior quarterback completed 24 of 35 passes on the night.
Central Gwinnett coach Todd Wofford said the receivers beg to throw the ball when they see man coverage. Wofford, whose team averages more than 300 yards yards passing a game, gave them their wish. With the offense clicking as it was, one score was plenty. The Central defense suffocated Shiloh (1-2, 0-1), holding the Generals to 91 yards passing and minus-30 rushing yards. Florida commit Adonis Thomas, Nigel Adams and Omar Lopez led the swarming defense.
“Some people question what we do, but we just have to go out and play our game and we’ll be alright,” said Wofford. Central Gwinnett, which improved to 3-1, 2-0 in 8-AAAAAA, sent a message that it will be a contender for the region, along with Grayson and Dacula. After a bye week, the Black Knights travel to Dacula on Friday, Oct. 3.
Central wasted little time displaying its explosive offense. One play after Bellamy took a crossing route for 67 yards, Chris Shelling ran in for an 8-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead early in the first period. On Bellamy’s 68-yard touchdown, he leaped high and plucked the ball from a defender and ran in for the score. Bellamy, the leading receiver in Gwinnett County, finished with a game-high 140 yards.
Adams plowed in from two yards out to give Central a 21-0 lead and Bellamy’s second score came on 6-yard reception in the flat. His younger brother, Vern Bellamy, returned the second half kickoff 85 yards for a 35-0 lead.
Wofford said he’s proud of the team’s play and that they’re 2-0 in region play, but added that they didn’t play their best. Central committed four turnovers (three fumbles), but the defense backed them up. “The defense played lights out,” he said. “They play in waves. Adonis sets the tone, but it’s not just one guy. They come in swarms. When they play in waves like that, they’re so fast it’s hard to get away from them.”
CENTRAL – 14 – 14 – 7 – 9 – 44
SHILOH – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 0
C – Chris Shelling 8 run (Ricky Ortiz kick)
C – Major Bellamy 68 pass from Eric Forrest (Ortiz kick)
C – Nigel Adams 2 run (Ortiz kick)
C – Bellamy 6 pass from Forrest (Ortiz kick)
C – Vern Bellamy 85 kick return (Ortiz kick)
C – Jeff Days 2 run (kick failed)
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