What We Saw: Gilbert 31, Airport 18

Thomas Grant October 27, 2024 @ 12:00 AM

WEST COLUMBIA | For someone playing for the fourth time in two weeks, Gilbert running back [player_tooltip player_id='1012653' first='Jaylen' last='Jay'] still had spry legs.   The junior rushed for three touchdowns in the Indians' 31-18 win over Airport. He and [player_tooltip player_id='1036777' first='Trevon' last='Williamson'] shared in the workload as Gilbert turned to its team strength to rebound from Tuesday's 35-28 loss to South Aiken.   “We were just in the gym hard,” said Jay about the preparation for Saturday's road game. “We were doing everything. We were doing the whirlpool, ice bath, take our time after practice to get more closer. We were already bonded. We were just getting closer and then it just stuck with us because you really get tired of losing.   “So we just went out there with a chip on our shoulder. From here on out, that's how we're playing.”   Airport was another Region 4-4A team in a similar scheduling squeeze. Unlike the Indians, the Eagles had dropped their last three games by a margin of 155-15.   Head coach Shane Fidler also found himself left to finish the season with several newcomers and players at different positions. Nevertheless, the Eagles remained competitive in the first half as freshman quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1467834' first='Jay' last='Eady'] continues to show improvement.   Eady had success working out of the RPO with running back Kendrick Pearson. His deceptive handoffs kept Gilbert off balanced and opened up passing opportunities to wide receivers like [player_tooltip player_id='1157959' first='Avery' last='Jones'].   He also orchestrated two time-consuming scoring drives in the first half. After the defense forced a turnover on downs, Eady led the Eagles on a 15-play drive in which he converted three fourth downs to set up a 39-yard field goal by Weston Mims.   When Gilbert regained the lead in the second quarter on the first of Jay's touchdowns, Airport responded with a 12-play, 73-yard scoring drive in which Eady scored on a 1-yard keeper on fourth down to regain the lead at 10-7.   The Indians faced its own fourth down conversion. On fourth and 11, quarterback Cooper James found sophomore Tysai Smith on a 34-yard touchdown pass.   Gilbert proceeded to score 24 unanswered points to extend its lead to 31-10. Meanwhile, the defense managed to limit any further scoring opportunities for Airport led by junior defensive back R.J. Kearse who made a couple of pass breakups and forced a fumble.   The Eagles would get two punt returns for touchdowns from [player_tooltip player_id='1819890' first='Isahia' last='Clemons']. Only the second one from 74 yards counted as Airport was whistled for an illegal block which the coaching staff believed was not the right call.   Ironically, it appeared Clemons found an opening to score created by a “screen” from an official.   Both teams return to a normal schedule this Friday. Gilbert plays host to Gray Collegiate, while Airport travels to archrival Brookland-Cayce.

WEST COLUMBIA | For someone playing for the fourth time in two weeks, Gilbert running back Jaylen Jay Jaylen Jay 6'0" | 200 lbs | RB Gilbert | 2025 State SC still had spry legs.