Road to recovery: Buchholz's Quinton Cutler nears 100 percent, scores four TDs in win over GHS
Buchholz running back Quinton Cutler has witnessed a lot of change in the last season and a half.
In 2022, Cutler stood behind dual-threat senior QB Creed Whittemore, Mr. Florida and current Mississippi State WR.
In 2023, he’s stood behind pocket passing sophomore Trace Johnson, son of Florida legend Doug Johnson
Through all this change, two facts have remained consistent.
The Bobcats have continued to win, and Cutler has continued to put up solid numbers.
His latest masterpiece came Thursday night in a 35-7 win over Gainesville High in their annual rivalry game. The win pushed Buchholz to 6-0 on the season and made them Gainesville city champions for the fifth year in a row.
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For seniors like Cutler, they’ll leave BHS with a perfect 6-0 record vs GHS and Eastside with an average margin of victory of 39 points.
Buchholz coach Chuck Bell said the plan wasn’t to run Cutler often, like it did in the first half, but GHS's defensive scheme allowed for it.
Another week, another splendid catch from Justin Williams
The sensational sophomore manages to get his foot down in bounds off the pass from Trace Johnson (@Tracejohnson12_) for the score
14-0, Buchholz with 5:35 left in the opening quarter@FlaHSFootball pic.twitter.com/OtJ2SobM8P— Noah Ram (@Noah_ram1) October 5, 2023
Cutler totaled 126 yards (100 rushing and 26 receiving) with four combined TDs (three rushing and one receiving).
With his increased role this season, Cutler exploded in BHS’ first two gams vs Columbia and Riverview Sarasota. However, he suffered an injury against Eastside in game three.
He missed the win over Creekside and returned a week later in the victory over Vanguard. He ran well, but Bell admitted the injury still lingered.
The bye week before Thursday’s game helped Cutler recover, and Bell said postgame Thursday Cutler was at “98.2 percent.”
![Buchholz Bobcats running back Quinton Cutler (10) slices through the defense during the first half against the Gainesville Hurricanes at Citizens Field in Gainesville, FL on Thursday, October 5, 2023. [Matt Pendleton/Gainesville Sun]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/03uIF6E7PvbAzbkarPW5Bw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0MA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-gainesville-sun/6bab569bce8898fec4e52a7ddc3c6d3e)
He didn’t play in the second half, which Bell said should allow him to come to 100 percent before next week’s 4S-District 3 road game at Oakleaf.
With Cutler out, UF commit and five-star linebacker Myles Graham stepped in at RB. He performed well to say the least, rushing for nearly 200 yards in the 49-20 win over Creekside.
“I know if I need a break, Myles can get the job done,” Cutler said.
The 5’8”, 155 lbs. Cutler said he’s received some interest from recruiters, but his focus right now is winning a state title, something Buchholz hasn’t done since 1990.
In a message to colleges, Cutler said that while he’s not the biggest or strongest guy, he’s got heart.
“Just know that I can come in there and get the job done,” Cutler said. “Anything I do, I give 110 percent.”
Buchholz travels to Oakleaf next Friday, while GHS (1-6) travels to Matanzas for a 3S-District 4 game.
Noah Ram covers Gainesville-area high school sports and University of Florida athletics for The Gainesville Sun. Contact him at Nram@gannett.com and follow him @Noah_ram1 on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Buchholz beats Gainesville High in rivalry game behind Cutler's four TDs
