By Rick Patrick
Riverbend News
After a frustrating loss last week to an arch-rival, the Suwannee High School Bulldogs took their frustrations out on the Tornadoes of Bradford High School on Friday, Sept. 25. The Bulldogs hopped back onto the winning track with a 38-20 victory over the Tornadoes.
After the Bulldogs won the coin toss and chose to defer to the second half, the Tornadoes began their first possession at their own 18-yard line. The possession did not last long, thanks to a Bulldog fumble recovery at the Tornadoes' 28-yard line. Jaquez Moore then went to work and ran the ball 22 yards to the end-zone for the first Bulldog score of the evening. Braxtyn Green's point-after-touchdown (PAT) was good and the score was 7-0, in favor of the Bulldogs with 9:55 remaining in the first quarter. The next Bradford drive went just 10 yards before stalling at the Bradford 42-yard line. The Bulldogs took over at their own 33 and proceeded to move the ball. The Bulldogs were unable to punch the ball over the goal line and attempted a 25-yard field goal. Green's kick sailed over the goal posts and the score was 10-0 as the final minute of the opening quarter drew to a close. When the next Bradford drive stalled out at their own 26-yard line, the Bulldogs took over near mid-field. The Bulldogs attempted a 45-yard field goal that was just off the mark. Bradford took over at their own 20-yard line. The Bulldog defense forced another fumble at the Bradford 21-yard line. On the next play, Moore turned on the jets and ran the 21 yards to the end-zone. The PAT was good and the Bulldogs held a 17-0 lead with 6:18 remaining until intermission. The Tornadoes' return man mishandled the ball and barely avoided disaster when he managed to get the ball to the Tornadoes' own one-yard line. The Tornadoes managed to move the ball to the 21-yard line before yielding possession back to the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs moved closer and on what seemed to be a 19-yard rushing touchdown with Moore dragging four defenders into the end-zone, but the play was called back with the notion that fellow Bulldogs “helped” Moore cross the goal line. All was made right when Moore hit Garrison Beach with a 23-yard touchdown pass. Green's PAT was good and the score was 24-0 in the latter moments of the second quarter. The action continued when Camdon Frier intercepted a Tornado pass and ran 63-yards for a “pick-six.” The PAT was good and the score was 31-0 going into halftime.
The Bulldogs opened the second half by going three-and-out from their own 30-yard line. The Tornadoes took over at the 41-yard line. The Tornadoes turned the ball over on downs at the Bulldogs' 39-yard line. The Tornadoes then intercepted an errant pass at their own 35-yard line. The Tornadoes were able to move the ball and capped the drive off with a short touchdown run from the two-yard line. The Tornadoes attempted a two-point conversion, which failed and the score was 31-6, with 3:26 remaining in the third quarter. A short kickoff gave the Bulldogs good field position at mid-field. The quick drive was capped off with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Camdon Frier. The ensuing PAT put the score at 38-6 in the closing seconds of the third quarter. The Tornadoes showed they may have been down, but they were far from out when they finished their next drive with a 21-yard touchdown pass. After a successful two-point conversion, the score was 38-14 with 8:31 remaining in the contest. The Bulldogs went three-and-out on their next drive and the Tornadoes struck again with a 20-yard touchdown pass. A failed two-point conversion attempt had the score at 38-20, with 5:39 still to play in the game. During the remainder of the game, possession went back and forth before Keiwan Ladler picked off a Tornado pass to allow the Bulldogs to run the clock down with the score at 38-20.
Moore was named the Offensive Player of the Game after going 11-for-19 with 135 yards passing and two touchdowns and one interception. Moore added another 100 yards on the ground with two rushing touchdowns. Beach was named the Defensive Player of the Game. Green earned the Special Teams Player of the Game distinction.
Next up for the Bulldogs (3-1) is a home game against the Bobcats of Buchholz High School, from Gainesville, Fla. The Bobcats have a 1-1 record and are coming off a 54-0 shut-out win over Gainesville Eastside High School. The game is set for Friday, Oct. 2, with kickoff slated for 7:30 p.m.