Both Gibbs and Clearwater entered homecoming night at Jack F. White Field looking to make headway in their rocky seasons.

After losing to district rival Lakewood 24-14, Gibbs’ (1-5) offense and defense secured a 48-13 win over the host Tornadoes (0-5), giving them their first win of the season.

For head coach Rick Kravitiz, tonight’s win felt great after the rough start that the Gladiators endured in the season so far.

“It’s been a hard and tough year so far,” said Kravitiz. “We have made a lot of adjustments and played a lot of good teams at the start of the season. But it’s nice for them to get a win. It was a big win for both offense and defense. They played very well. And there was more confidence in our guys tonight.”

In addition, he understands the same struggles Clearwater’s coaching staff is facing.

“Donnie (Abraham) is a class act and has been doing a great job with the Tornadoes. He has been kind of the doing the same thing I have, which is changing things.”

Abraham, the former NFL cornerback, was head coach at Gibbs before taking over at Clearwater this season. He served as an assistant with the Tornadoes in 2012.

Gibbs dominated the first quarter. Brevitt Killet would get the first touchdown for the Gladiators, and then Tyron Lansom would get the second score on a 65-yard run. But a failed two point conversion would leave the score 12-0.

Clearwater would answer back with Tupac Blanch getting the Tornadoes their first touchdown after a fumbled punt return by the Gladiators, but it was all Gibbs after that.

Maurice Hall would get a 43-yard run touchdown in second quarter and Killett would get the two-point conversion. Hall would get his second of three touchdowns, followed by a touchdown by Jacques President after a 20-yard pass from Killet.

The score would be 34-6 at the end of the first half.

Hall would go 80 yards for his third touchdown at the beginning of the third quarter. Killett delivered a 15-yard pass to Troy Killens at the start of the fourth quarter and after fake field goal, Killett would get the two point conversion making the score 48-6.

According to Kravitiz, their first win of the season will be a great reason for his guys to be pumped and ready for their own homecoming next week.

“Once you get a taste of a good win, you are going to be hungry for another one.”

Clearwater will be at Countryside next week, while Gibbs hosts Tarpon Springs.