GHSA Boys Classic - North Gwinnett vs Gainesville

In a GHSA non-conference league showdown, the Gainesville Red Elephants managed to secure a 2-1 home win against the visiting North Gwinnett Bulldogs. In what was a physical game, with lots of crunching tackles and big challenges across the pitch, the game featured a lot of class with some brilliant goals and great moments.    Daris is a player I mentioned a few weeks back in my "GHSA players to watch for this season" article and he has looked the part so far. Tallying 4 shots in the game with 3 on goal, he was a problem down the left wing for the bulldogs. Making the keeper work constantly isn't the only contribution he made in the game, consistently getting past defenders and playing balls in up top isn't anything new for him. One thing you notice when you watch Daris play is he hardly ever puts a foot wrong, always seemingly making the right decisions on what to do with the ball. Some signs of a really talented and highly intellectual player who knows the game well.     PJ is a tall, physical striker who is very technical with his feet. Scoring the Bulldogs only goal of the game from the penalty spot, he sent the keeper the wrong direction and put it straight down the middle. Cold. That shows how much composure PJ has up front when he's going for goal. Did I mention he's good with his feet as well? He made a defender fall on the ground after a nutmeg in the second half. The kid has talent that is undeniable, and I would expect to see him score more goals for the Bulldogs this year.     Bryan is a true all-around striker. He's great with the ball at feet, either playing in other teammates or dribbling around defenders to get space for a shot. He is also fantastic off the ball, making deep, serious threatening runs in and around the box. Bryan scored the game winning goal off a beauty of a cross, in which he sent a thumping header home in the top corner, leaving everyone including the keeper speechless. With a goal and an assist on the season so far, Bryan should be looking to have a big season for the Red Elephants.     Marquise is a very solid and confident keeper between the posts. He communicates well with this defenders to hold their lines. A sweeper keeper, Marquise isn't shy to rush off his line to either close out an attacker or claim a cross. With only one goal conceded in their first 3 games, which came against a penalty, Marquise is proving that he is one of the top goalies in GHSA soccer today, and seems to only be improving each game.     Gabriel is a very versatile player that can either play in the middle or out wide. He assisted the first goal of the game with a wonderfully waited outside-the-foot through ball onto his striker who buried it home. His playmaking ability with his passing and dribbling is something to look out for, making him a dangerous player to go up against for almost any team.

In a GHSA non-conference league showdown, the Gainesville Red Elephants managed to secure a 2-1 home win against the visiting North Gwinnett Bulldogs. In what was a physical game, with lots of crunching tackles and big challenges across the pitch, the game featured a lot of class with some brilliant goals and great moments.