Marianna Loses Dog Fight

By Clint Cox


The Marianna Bulldogs traveled to Bristol last Friday night and fell 37-15. Marianna held the lead the entire first half but then saw the Bulldogs of Liberty County explode for 34 second half points, 28 of which were unanswered to open up the second half.

The game started on a good note for Marianna as Tre Jackson picked off a Liberty County pass and returned it 70 yards for a score just four minutes into the game. Ryan Rudd added the point after kick and Marianna held a 7-0 lead. The two squads traded punts for most of the remainder of the first half as both offenses were stymied by the respective defensives. Liberty County did manage a drive late in the second quarter that culminated with a 37 yard field goal. At the half Marianna held a 7-3 lead.

The second half was all Liberty County however as the garnet and gold Bulldogs got on a roll early. After Marianna punted on their opening possession of the second half, Liberty County ripped off a 54 yard run on their first play from scrimmage. Two plays later their quarterback scored on a 20 yard run. The point after kick gave them their first lead of the game at 10-7. Marianna’s next two possessions ended in a punt and an interception. Liberty County cashed in on both as they posted two more touchdowns before the third quarter ended.

As the game entered the fourth quarter Marianna was trailing 25-7. Liberty County added another score midway through the quarter to make it 31-7. Marianna finally got back on the scoreboard late in the game as Jackson scooped up a snap that had gone over his head while in punt formation. Jackson retreated all the way back to the Marianna 30 yard line before turning up field and racing all the way to the end zone for a score. Fidel Montgomery added the two point conversion run to cut the Liberty County lead to 31-15. Liberty County added one more touchdown on a 7 yard run with a minute to play to set the final score at 37-15.

With the loss Marianna fell to 3-2 on the season and will again be on the road this Friday when they travel to Pensacola to take on Pensacola Catholic in a district matchup. Marianna is 1-0 in district play while the Crusaders (4-1 overall) will be playing their first district game of the season.