The Sulphur Bulldogs pitched their second consecutive shutout and third this season, powering over Bristow, 41-0, in last Thursday’s marquee match-up between the top two teams in Class 3A-2.
The win gave the Dogs (4-0, 6-1) a big step forward into playoff consideration with just three regular season games remaining and a spotless 4-0 record in district play.
The Pirates (3-1, 4-3) came into the Big Thursday match-up at Agee Field tied with the Dogs and were poised to make a stiff challenge, but Sulphur interfered with those plans.
The Dogs used a smothering defense and an explosive offense to seal the deal, scoring 13 unanswered points in the second quarter, then they ran off and hid in the final two quarters, scoring 28 more for win number six on the season.
“We got off to a sluggish start for the first time since Washington, we turned the ball over on our first possession and they converted four 3rd/4th downs in a row to eat up the whole first quarter,” head Sulphur coach Corey Cole said after the game. “I was proud of the way our kids kept fighting and didn’t get their heads down- we overcame a lot of adversity in that first half - penalties/missed tackles/ turnovers. It was an ugly first half for the Dogs, but our maturity allowed us to lead 13-0 at the half and we made a few adjustments and settled in to take a big time win in this district race, 41-0, over Bristow.”
Cole said a lot of the Dog’s first half problems were caused by a really good Bristow team, but many of his team’s mistakes “were self inflicted.”
The game’s opening kickoff provided a small glimpse of what was in store for the Pirates as Sulphur kickoff coverage defenders Eli Vinson and Jett Runyan converged on D’marri Mcgee at the 18, flipping him end-over-end on a jarring tackle.
The Pirates did manage to make a first down on 20-yard, third-down run in that opening possession, but that was it and the visitors were forced to punt several plays later.
ASulphur fumble on the Dog’s ensuing possession early in the second quarter set up th Pirates on their own end of the field, and they used a good ground game and a timely pass to move into field goal range, but the attempt went wide. From there, it was off to the races for Sulphur.
After runs of 4 and 13 yards on Sulphur’s next possession, Cash Matlack broke through the middle
Bulldog running back Maddax Mobly (4) sheds a Bristow defender as Sulphur picked up a marquee win last Thursday at Agee Field.
on this third run in the drive and raced 63 yards to give the Dogs a 6-0 lead. The PAT run failed.
The Dog’s Maddax Mobly gave Sulphur more momentum seven plays into the Pirates’ next drive by recovering a fumble, but they could not convert and punted.
Neither team could mount a drive in the next three series, but Sulphur found a spark when Briar Davenport ran 10 yards, followed by a 21-yard Matlack TD run with just 53 seconds left in the half. Cole’s PAT kick was good, giving the Dogs a hard-fought 13-0 lead at the half.
Sulphur’s momentum continued in the third quarter when Drake Wood returned the second-half kickoff about 30 yards to the 45 of the Dogs.
Garrett then seized on the moment and blazed 55 yards for a score on an up-the -middle run. Cole’s PAT kick gave the Dogs a 20-0 lead and more breathing room, but there was plenty of time remaining in the game.
Four plays into their ensuing
PHOTO BY BLAKE SEALE drive, Wood picked off a Bristow pass at their own 43, but the Dogs returned the favor, throwing their own interception three plays later.
Bristow couldn’t move though and punted to Sulphur’s 48.
However brief the small momentum change was for Sulphur after Wood’s pick, it gave the Dogs all they needed.
Wood then caught an 18-yard TD pass from quarterback Luke Linville with 5:04 left in the third, capping a 52-yard drive. Cole’s PAT kick gave Sulphur a 27-0 lead and all the momentum they needed to put this game pretty much out of reach. Garrett, Matlack and Mobly all took turns on three double digit runs to move the Dogs with striking distance during the drive.
Strong defensive play that the Dogs used all evening continued, forcing Bristow to punt on their next possession.
Taking over at their own 44, the Dogs overcame two 10-yard holding penalties, eventually driving down to the Pirate 25. From there, Linville hit Davenport on a 25-yard TD strike with 5:10 left in the final quarter to seal the deal. Matlack, Mobly and Garrett all combined with good runs, Mobly’s 17 yards in passes and Matlack’s runs totaling 22 yards, the big gainers for Sulphur. Cole’s PAT kick was good giving the Dogs a 34-0 lead.
Sulphur sophomore Jojo Gray ended the Dog scoring with a 7-yard TD run with less than a minute remaining to cap off the win.
Cole commented on some of the issues his team faced against the Pirates.
“Our passing game struggled for the first time this year, but our o-line got our running game going and carried us,” he said. “Luke (Linville) rushed some things early at QB but ended up making some big throws for us when we needed them, but we rushed for over 350 yards again.
“Cash Matlack and Austin Garrett combined for 24 carries and 254 yards rushing and 3 TD’s, Drake Wood continued his stellar play at WR and CB with a TD reception and an interception, and Briar Davenport had another incredible TD reception.
“Defensively, we played outstanding again - shutting out a team with Bristow’s fire power is a huge credit to our kids and the way they play every week. Our D-line (Caden Cole, Justus Gilliam, Giddeon Petersen, Baer Webb, Colten Cole) played outstanding and Austin Garrett, Maddax Mobly, Cash Matlack, Maddux Boyd, and Eli Vinson played great at LB and safety respectively.”
The coach also said Colten Cole and the special teams were once again really great last Thursday with Bristow’s average starting position being inside the 20.
“Our kids continue to get better, working hard and very focused on their first goal - becoming district champs,” he said. “We got a much needed fall break and were able to take 3 days off and the kids earned it.”
Players Of The Week:
Offense - Cash Matlack and Austin Garrett, 24 combined carries, 254 yards 3 TD’s.
Defense - Maddax Mobly and Justus Gilliam. Mobly had 13 tackles and a fumble recovery, Gilliam had 10 tackles, 2 for loss and a sack.
Special Teams Player of Week - Colten Cole. “He was fantastic in the kick game - 5-5 on ex. pt., 3 punts for 49.8 avg., 7 kickoffs, 4 touch-backs and avg. starting position was the 19 yard line, the coach said.”
Big Dawg of the Week - Giddeon Petersen. “Giddeon continues to improve every week and played one of his best games, he had 9 tackles on defense and a sack and played outstanding on the offensive line.”
Practice/Scout team player of the week - Michael Morris. “Morris is on most of our special teams and is a backup LB, but he does a tremendous job every week giving our starters the best look possible... goes hard every snap whether its practice or a game.”
Hit of the week - Madden Duck. “The sophomore had a huge hit late in the game that caused a fumble that led to our last TD.”
