WILLIAMSTON – The Gates County Red Barons scored early, but the Williamston Tigers scored often.

Gates County couldn’t take advantage of a monster performance from senior running back/safety Ralphael Eason and fell to a lightning fast Williamston squad 57 – 32.

Neither defense could stop the opposing offenses as each team marched down the field with relative ease throughout the game.

&uot;We just couldn’t stop them,&uot; Gates County head coach Clark Harrell said.

Gates County kicked off to begin the game and fortunately for the Barons, Williamston was unable to handle a short kick. The Red Barons fell on the ball and proceeded to march down the field. Eason scored on a one-yard dive to give Gates County the early lead 6 – 0.

Barons’ defensive back Harvey Bradley intercepted a Williamston pass on the following drive and Gates County scored on the next play from scrimmage when Eason took a handoff, cut right and blew by the Williamston defense to score an 81- yard touchdown.

Unfortunately, the Barons only stopped the Tigers one more time the entire game.

The Tigers burned the Gates County defense late in the second quarter on a halfback pass from receiver/quarterback Andre Core to take a 30 – 20 lead into halftime.

Gates County cut the lead to 37 – 32 on a 17 yard pass from junior quarterback Travis Badget to junior tight-end Paul Jones, but that was as close as the Barons would get. Badget was substituting for Graylen Boone, who was out with a concussion.

Gates County continued to put up a fight, but eventually Williamston wore down the Barons’ defense and exploded for three touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

Special teams also hurt the Barons. Williamston started from midfield on several possessions following short kick-offs from Gates County and the Barons failed to convert several point-after attempts.

Eason led all rushers with 309 yards. He also made two touchdown saving tackles and stripped the ball away from Core, stopping a Williamston drive.

Core, running back Donterrian Trapp and running back Aaron Spruill all had big games for the Tigers on offense and Emery Griggs had several key tackles on defense for Williamston.

&uot;Our starting cornerback was out with a concussion and that hurt our pass defense, but that wouldn’t have made the difference,&uot; Harrell said.