Brothers help Gaither beat Alonso

By DON JENSEN
Published October 8, 2005

TAMPA - The Sullivan brothers, senior linebacker Jordan and sophomore fullback Josh, had the game circled on the calendar.

A year ago, they wore Alonso uniforms and felt the sting of a one-point loss to Gaither.

The Sullivans transferred to Gaither before this season and were on the winning sideline Friday, helping the Cowboys post a 21-0 nondistrict victory over the Ravens.

Jordan Sullivan led a defense that forced four turnovers and limited Alonso to 10 first downs and 45 yards rushing for its third shutout of the season. He set up the Cowboys' first touchdown with a fumble recovery and halted another Ravens drive with an interception. They were his first turnovers of the season.

"This was the biggest game of the season for me," Jordan Sullivan said.

Josh Sullivan's blocking paved the way for Jonathan Davis' game-high 132 yards on 24 carries. Davis' 1-yard touchdown run on Gaither's second series capped a 34-yard drive for the Cowboys (5-1).

John Chesnut added touchdown passes of 42 yards to Torrey Esalomi (four catches for 70 yards) and 37 to Carlton Mitchell, capping drives of 96 and 81 yards, respectively.

Alonso (3-3) reached Gaither territory six times, including when the Cowboys stopping running back Mike Forbes inches from the end zone on fourth down early in the fourth. Gaither senior defensive back Chris Leavell also intercepted two Brandon Russell passes.

"Our guys didn't want to give up any points," Gaither coach Mark Kantor said. "The whole defensive unit played its tail off."

Russell completed 12 of 29 passes for 173 yards for Alonso, and Eric Brown caught three balls for 83 yards. But the Ravens averaged fewer than 2 yards on 25 rushes.

[Last modified October 8, 2005, 01:26:19]