Bulldogs Prevail Over Hornets

By Clint Cox

The Marianna Bulldogs broke open a close game against the Cottondale Hornets in the third quarter and went on to prevail by a score of 26-6. For 2 ½ quarters the Class 1B Hornets gave the Class 2B Bulldogs all they wanted and then some. After a scoreless first quarter the Hornets took a 6-0 lead with 7:11 left in the second quarter on a 14 yd pass from Nick Jackson to Dominique Webb. Cottondale had put together a textbook drive, going 77 yards on 11 plays in just over five minutes. The only miscue was not being able to make the two point conversion run.
Marianna came right back with their own textbook drive, marching 65 yards on 7 plays. The drive culminated with the Bulldogs getting a 45 yard scoring run from R.J. Bowers to tie the game with just under three minutes to play in the first half. A bad snap on the extra point kick attempt resulted in the game remaining tied 6-6, and that score held at the half. The second half started with Marianna taking possession and marching right down the field. After picking up only two first downs in the first half, the Bulldogs picked up three first downs on this second half opening drive. Marjean Dean capped off the 65 yard drive with a 13 yard run to score with 8:55 left in the third quarter. Ryan Rudd added the point after kick and Marianna took a 13-6 lead.
Cottondale, who had played turnover free football in the first half, had a pass picked off by Marianna’s Fidel Montgomery five plays into their first possession of the second half. Their second possession of the half ended in a fumble that was recovered by Marianna’s Dean. That gave the Bulldogs excellent field position at the Hornet 47 yard line. Three plays later Tre Jackson bolted 38 yards for a Bulldog score. The extra point kick failed, but Marianna’s led grew to 19-6 as the third quarter came to a close. Both teams traded punts to begin the fourth quarter and the Hornets committed their third turnover when Montgomery picked off his second Hornet pass of the night. That set up a late Bulldog score as Bowers took it in from 40 yards out and Rudd added the point after kick to make it a 26-6 game.
Marianna was led in rushing by Bowers with 135 yards and 2 TDs and Jackson with 96 yards and 1 TD. Cottondale was led on the ground by Webb with 42 yards and Jackson with 35 yards. Marianna (1-0) will travel to Graceville on Friday to take on the Tigers while Cottondale (0-1) will travel to the coast to battle Franklin County.