When the Ware County offense opened the game with a 75-yard touchdown run by running back Dedrick Mills and converted for two points, Bradwell Institute knew it was in for a tough game.

The Gators wore down the Tigers in the Region 3-AAAAA matchup, winning 44-7 at Olvey Field.

The juggernaut Gators are now 5-0 and 3-0 in region play. Bradwell is at 0-4 and 0-2.

The Tigers had a tough time stopping Mills, who scored the second touchdown on a 10-yard run on the Gators’ second possession. Adding salt to the wound, the Bradwell offense coughed up the football on its next drive. The Gators recovered and ran it in for a touchdown and another two-point conversion to go up 23-0 in seven minutes played of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, the Gators marched downfield, and Jaquez Bolds punched the ball in from the one-yard line. Mills later scored his third touchdown off a 37-yard pass from quarterback JeMar Lincoln.

The scoring frenzy for the Gators ended just before halftime, when D.J. White returned a punt 85 yards for a touchdown and Noah Shepard made the extra-point kick.

At intermission, the Gators were up 44-0.

The Tiger defense pinned its ears back for the second half. The offense got a spark in the fourth quarter when Kevin Harris scored a touchdown off a 36-yard run and kicker Ryan Wells nailed the extra point.

Tiger quarterback Quin McMassey, a freshman, looked controlled under center, completing 2 of 4 passes for 23 yards.

The Gators made sure Luther Echols had a tough time running the ball.

He was held to 42 yards on 14 carries. But that opened the door for Harris, who managed the touchdown and had 89 rushing yards for the night. Harris also had an 11-yard reception.

Christian Evans made a 12-yard reception and rushed for 28 yards.

Isaiah Waller and Josh Ingram each made a tackle for loss against the Gators.

The Tigers play at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Glynn Academy. The Red Terrors beat Richmond Hill 49-7 Friday night and are 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the region.