Friday night in Cordova, the 3rd ranked Indians made short work of Edisto in a 56-6 rout to clinch a 2nd Region 5-3A title in 3 years.
"Our guys are very excited about being region champs again," Leaphart said. "It was something we missed out on last year, so our guys were hungry for it." 
Gilbert took a 28-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. It would score 49 unanswered points before the Cougars' Jalin Green returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter. 
It was the only offense mustered by the Cougars (6-3, 1-2) as they were held to just 2 first-down and committed 2 turnovers. 
Just hours after winning the Palmetto Champions' Class 3A Back of the Year Award, quarterback Jy Tolen threw 3 first-half touchdowns and finished with 221 yards. Matt Reed had 2 of the touchdown receptions and led the team with 96 receiving yards and Alec Holt had a 56-yard touchdown reception on the Indians' 1st possession.
The win improved Gilbert to 8-1 overall, 3-0 in Region 5-5A heading into the home finale against Pelion. It will seek to not only win the outright region title, but also post 9 or more wins for the 5th time in school history and 3rd time in 4 years under Leaphart. 
"Pelion is a big rival game for us, so our guys will be ready to play and we will want to finish the season sharp and strong heading into the playoffs," Leaphart said.