El Dorado’s defense pitched a second half shutout for the second game in a row on Friday. The Wildcats rallied for a 21-14 win at Jonesboro to improve to 5-4 overall, 3-3 in 6A East play.
El Dorado will host Sheridan in the regular season finale on Friday with a No. 4 seed in the playoffs on the line.
It was a total team effort for the Wildcats, especially on the defensive end. Senior safety AJ Gilmore probably had the game’s most impactful plays, however. Gilmore had 7.5 tackles with two interceptions, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble.
His first interception was returned to the 9-yard line and set up the game-tying touchdown in the third quarter.
“He played lights out,” said El Dorado head coach Chris Hill. “I talked to him before and I told him big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games. He certainly did that. His last interception was unbelievable, laid out to get the ball.”
Offensively at receiver, Gilmore was held to two receptions for eight yards. He had two rushes for 21 yards.
“We couldn’t get it to him,” said Hill. “They basically had him doubled and triple covered all night so he didn’t have that big of a role in our offensive game tonight. They did account for him so we’d put him on one side and run away from them. But it was an outstanding game for him.”
Bretavion Brown led the Wildcats with 12 tackles, including two tackles for loss with a forced fumble and two pass breakups. Jakori Lumsey had seven tackles with three pass breakups. Jervalen Junior had five tackles, including two tackles for loss.
Once El Dorado took the lead with 5:57 left to play, the defense didn’t allow a first down the rest of the game.
“Very proud of the way we played in the second half, forcing three turnovers and not giving up the big play,” said defensive coordinator Wes Ables.