After some first-quarter adversity and against a fired-up Seminole team, Sulphur went on to score 49 unanswered points in a dominating win over the Chieftains last Friday.
Seminole’s 14-play, opening game TD drive ate up about half of the first quarter clock and it gave the Dogs plenty to think about since it was the first time they trailed all season after the opener at Washington.
From there, however, it was all Sulphur as the Dogs went on to win, 49-6, in one of their most powerful performances of the season.
“I thought we were extremely physical and played with extreme confidence after that first drive,” Bulldog coach Corey Cole said of this team’s win.
Sulphur (5-0, 7-1) rallied after trailing 6-0 with 6:20 left in the first, and went on to limit Seminole (2-3, 5-3) to negative yards for the rest of the game.
A blowout was now in the making. The Dogs relied on a “dialed-in” quarterback Luke Linville, who used the run-pass option to near perfection in the first half, their special teams play, and a “great” individual effort from running back and defensive back, Maddax Mobly.
Cole also cited receiver Jett Runyan’s “biggest game of the year” and their continued solid offensive line play as a big factors in the win.
“But the star of the night was the defense,” said Cole, as the Dogs limited Seminole’s dangerous passing game to just 90 yards.
Cole cited the play of Briar Davenport, Bridge Barrett, Eli Vinson, and Maddux Boyd as those who played well against the pass and run, and the defensive line. “Our D-line was outstanding, controlling the line of scrimmage and harassing the quarterback on passes,” he said. They include Justus Gilliam, Caden Cole, Giddeon Petersen, Baer Webb, and Colten Cole.
He also praised linebackers Cash Matlack (13 tackles and a sack) and Maddax Mobly. Another individual performance Cole cited was Justus Gilliam’s seven tackles, four for loss.
Cole said Mobly’s performance was the most impressive stat lines he has ever seen.
Mobly had 52 yards and a TD in the rushing department, 3 pass receptions for 19 yards, (2 more receptions went for 80 yards and a TD but were called back due to penalties), 70-yard kickoff return for a TD, a punt return for 23 yards, 7 tackles, a fumble recovery, a caused fumble, a sack, and an interception in which he returned for a TD. “He is one of the most dynamic players in the state,” Cole said of the junior.
“We had a great team win against a really good opponent at a very tough place to play,” said Cole. “We are thankful for the support we
THE STATISTICS
Sulphur 49, Seminole 6
Scoring Summary Seminole (6-0)--8-Yard Pass (run failed), 1st Q, 6:20 Sulphur (7-6)--Austin Garrett 3-Yard Run (Colten Cole kick) 1st Q, 1:53 Sulphur (14-6)--Briar Davenport 25-Yard Pass (Cole Kick) 2nd Q, 6:19 Sulphur (21-6)--Jett Runyan 37-Yard Pass from Luke Linville (Cole Kick) 2nd Q, 5:04 Sulphur (28-6)--Maddax Mobly 25-Yard Int. Ret. (Cole Kick) 2nd Q, 2:47 Sulphur (35-6--Mobly 70-Yard Kickoff Ret. (Cole Kick) 3rd Q, 11:46 Sulphur (42-6)--Garrett 3-Yard Run (Cole kick) 3rd Q, 7:54 Sulphur (49-6)--Mobly 3 Yard Run (Cole kick) 3rd Q (4:58)
Score By Quarters
Sulphur.............. 7 21 21 0--49 Seminole............ 6 0 0 0--6
Game Statistics
Sul. Sem. First Downs 15 6 Rushing Yds. 25-180 27 (-31) Passing 17 10 Passing Yds. 142 90 Total Net Yds. 42-332 50-48 Turnovers 0 3 Punts, Avg. 1-47 7-29 3rd Down Con. 4-6 1-11 have from our fans, band and cheer - it was great to see so many of our people at a classic venue like Seminole.”
After falling behind 6-0 at the 6:20 mark in the first quarter on an 8-yard Chieftain TD reception, the Dogs regrouped, and went on a 12-play, 60-yard drive on their ensuing possession to take a 7-6 lead with 1:53 left in the first quarter.
Dog receivers Mobly, Barrett, Runyan and Davenport all shared the spotlight with pass receptions to move Sulphur to three where Garrett plunged over for the score. Colten Cole provided the PAT kick and the Dogs had some breathing room.
They used that momentum to hold Seminole to minus yardage on their next possession and forced a punt that was set up by a quarterback sack, thanks to Mobly and Webb.
Mobly then returned the punt 25 yards to the Dog’s 45, but two penalties on the drive, including one that wiped out a long TD pass from Linville to Mobly, forced Sulphur to punt. Cole toed the ball to the Seminole 13, but the Chieftains were stopped in their tracks and punted.
Garrett and Runyan then combined for nine yards on a run and pass respectively with Garrett adding six more before Davenport hauled in a 28-yard scoring strike from Linville. Cole’s PAT gave the Dogs a 14-6 lead with 6:19 left in the second quarter.
After forcing Seminole to punt in just three plays on their next possession, the Dogs struck again when Linville found Runyan down the sideline and fired off a 37-yard TD strike. Runyan made a behind-the-back grab, then sped down the sideline for the score. Cole again was good on his PAT, giving the Dogs a 21-6 lead with 3:45 left in the second quarter.
The score ballooned to 28-6 just moments later when Mobly intercepted a Seminole pass and raced 25 yards for a TD with a 2:47 left in the half. Cole again provided the PAT kick as the Dogs were now in full command of the game.
To start the second half, Mobly blitzed 70 yards with the second-half kickoff and sealed off any hope of a Seminole rally. Cole again was good on the PAT, giving Sulphur a 35-6 lead.
The Chieftains found a little offense on their second play of the next drive, a 15-yard pass reception, but were penalized on two successive plays after that, and could only get off a 17-yard punt to their own 29.
From there, it was all downhill for the Dogs. They scored in just six plays with Mobly gaining 22 yards in three rushes and Garrett negotiating the final seven yards in two attempts for the score. Cole’s spot-on PAT gave Sulphur a commanding, 42-6 lead with 7:54 left in the third.
Seminole found themselves in deep water again on the ensuing kickoff as Cole booted the ball to the Chieftain nine. With only one net yard on their next three attempts, they tried to punt, but could only get the ball out to their own 17.
The Dogs scored in just three plays from there as Mobly ran it in from the three to seal the deal. Davenport’s 11-yard run provided the big run on the short drive and Cole provided the final point of the night with the PAT, giving the Dogs a 49-6 lead and their fifth consecutive district win.
Sulphur’s younger players then got in some game-time in the remaining minutes to end the game.
Players Of The Game
Following are the Players of the Game for Sulphur, according to Cole.
•Offense - Luke Linville and Jett Runyan;
•Defense - Maddax Mobly;
•Special teams - Maddax Mobly;
•Big Dawg - Justus Gilliam;
•Hit of the week - Maddux Boyd;
•Scout team player of week Jaxon Freehill;
•Teacher of the week - Talley Thomas.
Sulphur will host Victory Christian this Friday at 7:00 p.m. in their annual senior night activities.
