MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — GMC Prep fought its way back into the win column last week and is looking to do the same thing Friday night when the Bulldogs (4-4) travel to take on Riverside Military Academy (0-7).

Last Friday’s contest wasn’t much of a contest at all as GMC Prep took a 42-7 lead into the half against Glascock County. When all was said and done, the Bulldogs left the road contest with a 42-14 win. 

Running back Javez Mason was the big contributor for GMC against Glascock, totaling more than 200 yards on the ground with three scores. Wide receiver Deshondre Liggins caught a short slant pass and did the rest of the work himself taking the ball 71 yards for a touchdown. Malik Foston set the tone with the first big play of the night when he received the game’s opening kickoff and took it 63 yards for the score.

“It is always good to get out with a win,” said Bulldogs’ head coach Steven Simpson. “It was nice for us to go out and execute from beginning to end. It was also important for our young guys to get some [playing] time and have some success.”

After the dismantling of the one-win Panthers, GMC Prep will now take on the Eagles of Riverside Military Academy who have yet to come out on top of a contest this season. Not all of Riverside’s losses have been blowouts though, as the team lost consecutive games by just a field goal back in early September to Providence Christian and George Walton Academy. Last season the Eagles came into Davenport Field and defeated the Bulldogs in a tight ballgame, 14-6.

“Riverside is very athletic,” Simpson said of this year’s Eagles. “They have a very mobile quarterback with an outstanding arm and he throws the deep ball exceptionally well. They are large up front on both sides of the ball.”

Friday’s contest between the Eagles and the Bulldogs will be strength against strength as Simpson says Riverside’s two best defensive linemen will be lined up at either end position. The edge has been GMC Prep’s go-to area with its wing backs in the run game and whether the offensive line can handle those two ends will play a big factor in who will leave with the Military Bowl trophy. Simpson classified the Eagles’ overall team speed as “good,” but from watching film believes his guys will have a slight advantage in that aspect.

“The keys to winning for us on Friday night will be having sustained offensive drives and grinding out the clock,” the GMC Prep head coach said. “On defense the biggest key will be forcing Riverside to drive the ball. We have to prevent the big play especially the deep ball.”

The Bulldogs and the Eagles will square off in Gainesville Friday at 7:30 p.m. in GMC Prep’s penultimate game of the season.