By KATIE WIGGINS
News Sports Writer
The J.U. Blacksher Bulldogs went on the road to play the Leroy Bears for their last away game of the regular season. The Bulldogs lost the area game 48-8. The offensive captains were senior Cooper Dean, and freshman KD Rabb. The defensive captain was senior Taylor Graham.
J.U. Blacksher struggled in the first half, failing to score, while Leroy scored 48 points before halftime. In the second half, the Bulldogs were able to hold the Bears and keep them from scoring.
Starting the third quarter, Rabb returned the kickoff to the 35-yard line. A handoff to senior Tanner Weaver for 4 yards started the Bulldogs’ drive down the field.
Graham ran for a first down on third down and 3. Senior Jacob Bowman carried the ball across midfield for another first down. Handoffs to Graham and Bowman put the Bulldogs in scoring position. Weaver ran the ball 8 yards for a touchdown. Weaver also found the end zone during their 2-point conversion. At the end of the third quarter, the score was 48-8, Bears.
On offense, Dean completed 4 out of 12 passes for 41 yards. Rabb had 2 catches for 12 yards. Sophomore Justin Heffington had one catch for 20 yards, and Weaver had 1 catch for 9 yards. Bowman had 16 rushes for 78 yards. Weaver had 4 rushes for 21 yards and a touchdown. Dean had 11 rushes for 31 yards. Blacksher’s offense had a total of 194 yards for the night, while Leroy had 430 total yards.
On defense, Taylor Graham led with 9 tackles and 1 for a loss. Bowman had 7 tackles, 1 for a loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Eighth-grader Jadaniel Nettles had 8 tackles. Rabb had 9 tackles while senior Dustin Graham had 6 tackles.
The Bulldogs are looking forward to returning home this Friday night for their final game of the regular season. They play McIntosh November 3 at 7 p.m. for Homecoming.
Homecoming festivities begin Thursday, November 2. The annual Homecoming Parade will begin at 5 p.m., with line-up starting at 4 p.m. Pre-sold BBQ plates may be picked up from the school cafeteria from 5:30 to 7 p.m. There will be some extra plates available on a first come first serve basis. The schoolwide bonfire will begin at 6 p.m.
Friday’s events begin at 6 p.m. with pre-game festivities. Senior football players, band members, and cheerleaders will be recognized first. The Little Mr. and Miss BHS presentation will follow senior recognition. The final pre-game activity will present the J.U. Blacksher 2017 Homecoming Court and crowning this year’s queen. The Homecoming game begins at 7 p.m., followed by the Homecoming Dance.