No. 3 Sulphur continued the trend of dominating on both sides of the ball last Friday night, as the Bulldogs smashed Perkins 48-0 in the district 3A-2 opener.
The Dogs racked up 531 total yards on offense and allowed just 123 yards on 56 plays to Perkins, who was a state semifinalist from a year ago.
“We came out fast and played extremely well,” said Sulphur head coach Corey Cole. “I was proud of our focus. We talked all week about it being a business trip and the goal was to be 1-0.”
Sulphur (3-1, 1-0) got another outstanding performance from quarterback Luke Linville, who was 7-of-11 for 255 yards and five touchdowns. He completed all five scores to different receivers.
Maddax Mobly had 17 carries for 143 yards on the ground, along with a 70-yard touchdown catch.
“Our offense was great and we got into a great rhythm,” Cole said. “We really got going in the middle of the game. I am proud of our kids for how they are coming along in the new offense.”
The Bulldogs led 20-0 at half, as the game was never in question for Sulphur in the road opener.
After the teams traded punts to open the game, the Dogs got on the board first.
Sulphur went 88 yards in 13 plays, scoring on a 55-yard deep ball down the home sideline, as Linville laid it in to receiver Briar Davenport, who cruised in for the score.
It was 6-0 with 1:48 to go in the 1st.
The Dogs got the ball back quickly, as corner Bridge Barrett picked off the ensuing 3rd down pass from Perkins at the Sulphur 37.
But shortly after, Linville was picked off on a fluky play, where he flung the ball toward a receiver as he was being tackled and a Perkins defensive lineman made a one-handed catch to give the Demons the ball back.
The Sulphur defense held, giving the ball back to the offense without allowing a 1st down.
And the offense responded, going on another 88-yard drive, taking nine plays to extend the lead.
Linville lofted up another beautiful pass to Barrett, who made a great adjustment on the ball and made a man miss for the 31-yard score.
“Luke made great decisions all night and I thought our offensive line played very well,” Cole said. “I like the way we are doing things offensively. Perkins has a very tough defense to prepare for and I thought our scout team did a great job to get us ready during the week.”
Sulphur led 13-0 with 6:28 left in the half.
After the defense forced another quick punt, the offense was back at it, but in quicker fashion.
On the second play of the drive, Linville swung the ball out to Mobly, who had gone in motion towards the Sulphur sideline.
The junior hauled in the pass, made a man miss and got the corner, racing down the field for a 70-yard touchdown.
Sulphur led 20-0 at halftime. Perkins came out of the locker room and worked the ball towards midfield, but a host of Bulldogs made a stop on 4th and 3, turning “We want to keep climbing and stay hungry,” Cole said. “We have a new challenge this week and we know that last week is over. We want to focus on ourselves and continue to get better.”
The team and coaching staff will do that by continuing to focus on the little things and shoring up minor mistakes ahead of this week’s game.
“We are focused on the little things,” Cole said. “We know it’s a long season and to accomplish what we want, we have to focus on each week. Our goal is to be 1-0 every week. If we keep playing the way we are defensively and can be the best version of ourselves on Friday night, we feel like we have a great chance.”
“Our team is really gelling right now and coming together in all phases. They are focused on what they want to achieve each day.”
