The 11- and 12-year-old Long County Bulldogs beat McIntosh County this past Tuesday, 8-6, in a hard fought game.
Long County nor McIntosh County was able to do anything on their first possessions, but on the Bulldogs’ second series, they were able to score when quarterback Jacob Turner hit Zack Harris in the endzone for an 11-yard touchdown.
On the extra-point attempt, the McIntosh defense stiffened, shutting down the home team and the Bulldogs had an early 6-0 lead.
Midway through the second quarter, Long County drove down to the McIntosh 18-yard line and faced a fourth-and-sixth situation, but an incomplete pass ended the drive with 6:44 left in the half.
McIntosh County got the ball back at midfield with 16 seconds left in the half. Instead of simply downing the ball and going into the half down by six, the McIntosh County coach decide to go for a sweep right.
Once the running back hit the corner, it appeared he was going to score, but Jeffery Hall made the touchdown-saving tackle, and the Long County team went in at the half leading 6-0.
When the second half began, it appeared to be a repeat of the end of the second quarter. On the first play from scrimmage, the McIntosh County running back raced towards the endzone, but was tackled once again by Hall at the 11-yard line.
Having a first-and-goal situation, McIntosh made a crucial mistake and put the ball on the ground, where once again Hall made the big play falling on the pigskin.
Long got the ball, but the offense was unable to pick up a first down, so they faced a fourth down on their own five-yard line.
The coaching staff for Long tried to fool the opposing coaches by going for a fake punt but was unable to convert, so the visitors had the ball on the five-yard line with a first down.
This time, the McIntosh team was able to score, but were unable to covert the extra point so the score was 6-6.
Neither team was able to score in the third period, but in the fourth quarter Long County drove down to the McIntosh 12-yard line.
Unfortunately, the McIntosh defense continued to be rock solid, and kept the home team out of the endzone.
The visitors got the ball, but had a penalty on their first play that backed the ball up to their own two-yard line.
On the next play, with McIntosh County having a first-and-20 situation from their own two, Hall made the play of the game as he hit the quarterback causing a fumble in the endzone.
A McIntosh player fell on the ball, but was tackled for a safety, making the score 8-6 Long County — the final score.
It was obvious Hall was the player of the game, but several other players stood out as well, including Vanda Vereen, Luke Golden, Cole Ray and Devon McClelland.
But the game was won as a result of team play, and all the players on offense, defense and special teams can be commended for an outstanding game.
“It was a hard-fought game and our defense kept us in it all night. The whole team fought hard and now we go to Waycross,” head coach Charlie Strickland said.
The Long County team will travel to Waycross on Saturday.
At press time, the time of the game and the opponent was unknown.
Long County nor McIntosh County was able to do anything on their first possessions, but on the Bulldogs’ second series, they were able to score when quarterback Jacob Turner hit Zack Harris in the endzone for an 11-yard touchdown.
On the extra-point attempt, the McIntosh defense stiffened, shutting down the home team and the Bulldogs had an early 6-0 lead.
Midway through the second quarter, Long County drove down to the McIntosh 18-yard line and faced a fourth-and-sixth situation, but an incomplete pass ended the drive with 6:44 left in the half.
McIntosh County got the ball back at midfield with 16 seconds left in the half. Instead of simply downing the ball and going into the half down by six, the McIntosh County coach decide to go for a sweep right.
Once the running back hit the corner, it appeared he was going to score, but Jeffery Hall made the touchdown-saving tackle, and the Long County team went in at the half leading 6-0.
When the second half began, it appeared to be a repeat of the end of the second quarter. On the first play from scrimmage, the McIntosh County running back raced towards the endzone, but was tackled once again by Hall at the 11-yard line.
Having a first-and-goal situation, McIntosh made a crucial mistake and put the ball on the ground, where once again Hall made the big play falling on the pigskin.
Long got the ball, but the offense was unable to pick up a first down, so they faced a fourth down on their own five-yard line.
The coaching staff for Long tried to fool the opposing coaches by going for a fake punt but was unable to convert, so the visitors had the ball on the five-yard line with a first down.
This time, the McIntosh team was able to score, but were unable to covert the extra point so the score was 6-6.
Neither team was able to score in the third period, but in the fourth quarter Long County drove down to the McIntosh 12-yard line.
Unfortunately, the McIntosh defense continued to be rock solid, and kept the home team out of the endzone.
The visitors got the ball, but had a penalty on their first play that backed the ball up to their own two-yard line.
On the next play, with McIntosh County having a first-and-20 situation from their own two, Hall made the play of the game as he hit the quarterback causing a fumble in the endzone.
A McIntosh player fell on the ball, but was tackled for a safety, making the score 8-6 Long County — the final score.
It was obvious Hall was the player of the game, but several other players stood out as well, including Vanda Vereen, Luke Golden, Cole Ray and Devon McClelland.
But the game was won as a result of team play, and all the players on offense, defense and special teams can be commended for an outstanding game.
“It was a hard-fought game and our defense kept us in it all night. The whole team fought hard and now we go to Waycross,” head coach Charlie Strickland said.
The Long County team will travel to Waycross on Saturday.
At press time, the time of the game and the opponent was unknown.