Lee Trawick
Reporter2@riverbendnews.org
On Friday, Aug. 19, the Suwannee Bulldogs opened their pre-season against a familiar foe, the Columbia County Tigers. While the two teams have not played one other lately, they are well-versed with each other. The last time these two teams faced off, bad blood spilled over onto the field after the whistle, causing the two programs not to schedule one another for almost 10 years.
The game would begin with plenty of back stories, as the two storied programs simply do not like one another. So, along with recent events, Suwannee High School Athletic Director Frank Allen implemented more security at Paul Langford Stadium. "With everything that has happened not only here but throughout the country, we feel if we have the option to beef up our security, then absolutely we will exercise that option," Allen said. "Our kids' safety is our number one priority. We feel we should be proactive for our students rather than reactive to any situation."
The Bulldogs were led onto the field by senior quarterback (QB) Bronsen Tillotson. The Bulldogs began the game with the ball first around the 40-yard-line. Despite a first down run by running back (RB) Marquavious Owens, where he picked up 11 yards on the first snap, the Bulldogs were stalled after a QB sack on the next play setting the Bulldogs up behind the chains. The Bulldogs were forced to punt two plays later.
However, the Tigers quickly saw the speed and physicality of the Bulldogs, as they were forced to punt after a three-and-out series. Unfortunately, the Bulldogs' offense could not capitalize, as they failed to move the ball. However, on the Tigers' second possession, the Bulldogs pressured their QB to retreat into his own end zone before fumbling the ball. At this time, Brandon Robinson pounced on the Tigers' misfortune for the Bulldogs' first and only touchdown of the night. With the extra point added by kicker Braxtyn Green, the Bulldogs took a 7-0 lead. The Bulldogs' defense stood tall again by pinning the Tigers deep into their own territory, where they were forced to punt. However, the Tigers were shocked to see the speed of the Bulldogs coming off the line, as they blocked the Tigers' punt, setting the Bulldogs' offense up in excellent field position. Unfortunately, as the first quarter ended, the Bulldogs' offense failed to capitalize on the ideal field position. Despite this, at the end of the first quarter, the Bulldogs led 7-0. It wouldn't be until midway through the second quarter that the Tigers found a breakdown in the Bulldogs' secondary for a slashing 27-yard touchdown pass to even the score 7-7.
It wasn't until late in the second quarter, after the Bulldogs' defense caused another turnover deep in the Tigers' territory, that the Bulldogs' offense would have another shot at the end zone. Unfortunately, with 1:59 remaining until halftime and the Bulldogs inside the Tigers' 15-yard-line, Tillotson dropped back to look for his receiver, and threw a crucial interception on the three-yard-line. This allowed the Tigers to return it for a 97-yard touchdown to give them a 14-7 lead. Then, on the ensuing kickoff, Javarion Smith electrified the home crowd with a 97-yard kick return for a Bulldog touchdown, only to have it called back due to a holding call, maintaining the Tigers' 14-7 lead going into halftime.
The varsity squads would only play sparingly in the third quarter, as it was only a pre-season game, but not before the Bulldogs managed to add three points off the foot of Green as he kicked a 38-yard field goal, bringing the score to 14-10 as the junior varsity squads took over. However, neither the Bulldogs nor the Tigers backed down. As time expired in the fourth quarter, the final score was 14-10 in favor of the Tigers.
The Bulldogs look will begin their regular season on the road on Friday, Aug. 26, as they travel to take on the Flagler Palm Coast Bulldogs at 7:30 p.m., at Flagler Palm Coast High School, located at 5500 E Hwy 100, in Palm Coast.