By Ken Jackson
Sports Writer

No time like homecoming to win two in a row for the first time in a while, right?

Gateway goes for its first back-to-back wins of the season tonight when winless Cypress Creek comes to the Ridenour Athletic Complex at 7:30 p.m. in a 6A District 6 matchup.

The Panthers (2-4) took a 20-0 lead at Pierson Taylor last Thursday, then had to hold on for a 23-14 win.

Senior tailback Devonta Dobson rushed nine times for 184 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown run that made it 20-0 early in the third quarter.

Sophomore Zack Smith scored on runs of 7 and 5 yards in the first half to stake Gateway to a lead it would never give up, even though Taylor would pull within 6, 20-14, in the fourth quarter and had two chances to take the lead before the Panther defense came up with big plays.

GHS Coach Marlin Roberts said that despite the win over the smaller school, his team made some mistakes the Panthers can’t afford to make against a 6A opponent tonight.

“It was a win with room to improve,” he said. “We’re still making the mistakes that young players sometimes make.”

Dobson came up with an interception early in the fourth quarter to end one Taylor drive. On their next drive, the Wildcats reached the Gateway 32-yard-line with seven minutes left, but the Panthers held when, on fourth down, linebacker Jordan Spence sacked quarterback Chad Haas.

Felipe Oliviera kicked a 25-yard field goal on Gateway’s next drive to seal the victory.

Cypress Creek quarterback Felix Regis returned to the lineup last week from injury in a 28-0 loss to Oak Ridge. The Bears (0-6) have struggled offensively and haven’t scored in three games, but Roberts said that’s no reason to overlook this team.

“They’ve played a lot of really good teams this year,” he said, noting games against Dr. Phillips, Winter Park and East River, who all go into the weekend undefeated.

“They’ve got some hard runners and if their quarterback is at full strength he can hurt you.”

The Panthers host Dr. Phillips next week and travel to Oak Ridge Nov. 5.