Bulldogs Win Thriller

10/2/08
By: Clint Cox

Marianna’s Bradley Battles bulled his way into the end zone with a minute to play to convert a two point play and give the Bulldogs a 22-21 victory Episcopal last Friday night. Marianna took possession of the ball with 8 minutes to play and trailing 21-14. After eating up 7 minutes off the clock on 11 plays, Dustin Larkin hit Tre’ Long on a 28 yard scoring strike to set up the game winning plunge by Battles. Bulldog Head Coach Rob Armstrong did not hesitate to call for the two point attempt as opposed to kicking the extra point to tie the game. "Everybody knew we were going to go for two. We’ve been working on a power and the fellow we gave it to (Battles) ran hard," Armstrong said after the game.
After the long ride to Jacksonville the Bulldogs found themselves trailing 7-0 in the first quarter. R.J. Bowers got the Bulldogs on the board with a 15 yard run late in the first quarter. Troy Clemmons booted the extra point to tie the game at 7-7. But the Eagles took the ensuing kickoff back 85 yards for a score and quickly reclaimed the lead at 14-7. With just over 8 minutes to play in the second quarter Battles bolted 56 yards on the first play from scrimmage on that possession to score. Clemmons tied the game up at 14-14 with the extra point kick. But Episcopal came right back to post a score and take a 21-14 lead into the locker rooms at the half.
The running of Eagle quarterback Clark Bledsoe had caused the Bulldogs problems in the first half. During half time the Bulldog coaching staff made some adjustments to counter the running QB. "We made some adjustments to allow Troy (Clemmons) to key on the quarterback more and he responded with a big second half," said Armstrong. The Bulldog offense came out in the second half and played ball control. They had one possession in the third quarter and it ate up 8 minutes off the clock on 14 plays. Unfortunately a fumble deep in Eagle territory killed the drive. The Bulldog defense came up with a stop in the fourth quarter and forced a punt. The punt was downed on the Bulldogs 5 yard line with just over 8 minutes to play in the game. Marianna methodically drove down the field and then finished off the game winning drive with Larkin’s TD pass to Long.
Battles finished the night with 224 yards on 31 carries. Clemmons led the defense with 15 tackles, including a sack. Tommy Stephens was right behind Clemmons with 10 tackles. The Bulldogs improved to 3-0 on the season and will play host to Holmes County this Friday for Homecoming.