By KATIE WIGGINS
News Sports Writer
The Chickasaw Chieftains made a comeback to beat the J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs 34-42 in Friday night’s game, October 13.
Errors by the Bulldogs’ offense were a huge factor as to why Blacksher lost. Chickasaw had 14 penalties and Blacksher had only 4.
The offensive captain was junior Chase Boone, while the defensive captain was senior Dillan Baldwin.
Blacksher was able to capitalize on errors made by the Chieftains in the first quarter. Senior Taylor Graham recovered a Chieftain fumble and the Bulldogs were able to move the ball down the field. Senior Tanner Weaver scored the Bulldogs’ first touchdown of the night. The point after attempt was no good. With 6:51 left in the first quarter, the score was 6-0, Bulldogs. Senior Jacob Bowman sacked Chickasaw’s quarterback, stripped and recovered the ball, and ran the ball back for a touchdown. Cooper Dean’s pass to Graham was complete for an extra 2 points for the Bulldogs. With 4:59 left in the first quarter the score was 14-0, Bulldogs. The Bulldogs capitalized on another Chieftain error when senior Dalton Wilson picked up the ball on the Chieftains’ 5-yard line during kickoff because no one from Chickasaw went after the ball. The first play resulted in a Bulldog touchdown with a 5-yard pass from Dean to freshman KD Rabb. The extra point kick by Dean was good. The Chieftains managed to score a touchdown, but Weaver was able to block their field goal attempt. The score at the end of the first quarter was 21-6, Bulldogs.
In the second quarter, the Bulldogs failed to score. In a fourth down situation, Blacksher successfully executed a fake punt and received a first down. The Chieftains were able to score another touchdown at the end of the first quarter, making the score at halftime 21-13, Blacksher.
The Bulldogs received the ball first in the third quarter, but were unable to move the ball and had to punt it away. The Bulldogs’ defense held the Chieftains on their first drive of the second half, forcing them to punt. Chickasaw snapped the ball over the punter’s head, resulting in Blacksher starting the drive from the 2-yard line. Illegal substitutions by Chickasaw moved the Bulldogs to the 1-yard line. The next play, Bowman ran in for the touchdown. Dean’s extra point attempt was good. With 6:12 left in the second quarter, the score was 28-13, Bulldogs. On the next drive, Rabb had a strip sack. Taylor Graham recovered the fumble and ran the ball 4 yards for a touchdown. At the end of the third, the score was 34-13, Bulldogs.
In the fourth quarter, things went downhill for the Bulldogs. The Chieftains added points to the board when they rushed for a touchdown, ran an interception back for a touchdown, and picked up a bad snap by the Bulldogs and ran it back 88 yards for a touchdown. The Bulldogs were ahead 34-33 with 3:59 left in the game. The Bulldogs were on the Chieftains’ 23-yard line when they fumbled the ball and Chickasaw ran 85 yards for a touchdown, putting Chickasaw ahead. Another bad snap went over Dean’s head and through the end zone for a Chickasaw safety. The final score was 34-42, Chickasaw.
On offense, Bowman had 49 yards rushing on 11 carries and 1 touchdown. Rabb had 27 yards rushing on 4 carries. Weaver had 24 yards rushing on 7 carries and 1 touchdown. Dean completed 7-out-of-16 passes for 93 yards and 1 touchdown. Rabb had 3 receptions for 55 yards and 1 touchdown. Baldwin had 25 receiving yards on 2 receptions. Sophomore JT Tucker, had 10 yards on 1 reception.
On defense, Graham had 8 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 touchdown. Bowman had 2 tackles, 1 for a loss, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery, 1 sack, and 1 touchdown. Rabb had 2 tackles 1 sack, and 1 forced fumble. Junior Lane Sims, had 5 tackles.
J.U. Blacksher plays Jay, in Florida, on Friday, October 20.