The Claiborne Bulldogs traveled to Kodak, September 9 to battle Northview Academy on the gridiron. Claiborne kicked off to the Cougars and Josh Bolton quickly started playing well on defense. The passing game of the Cougars allowed them to drive the ball down the field quickly and scored on a short running play, 7-0.
Claiborne started their first drive at their own 34 yard line but one play later fumbled the ball back to the Cougars. The Northview drive ended with a Cougar rushing touchdown, 14-0.
Claiborne needed to respond in order to stay in the game and a late hit on the return allowed them good field position on their 49 yard line. Bolton broke loose and went 51 yards for the touchdown. Following the point after the score was 14-7.
Claiborne kicked deep but the Cougars returned to the Bulldogs 43. The Bulldogs defense forced the first punt of the game that ended in a touchback.
Claiborne started on their 20. After two run plays and a failed pass play the Bulldogs punted. Northview began their fourth drive on their 46. On a third and 13 a screen play broke loose for a first down. At 2:26 in the first the home team scored on a short pass play, 21-7.
The Bulldogs started on their 28 but the drive ended with a dropped pass. After the punt, Northview began their fifth drive at 1:20 on their 46. With less than a minute left in the opening quarter the Cougars scored their 28th point.
Bolton then broke loose for an 80 yard TD run that was called back due to penalty and the first quarter ended 28-7. Cole Jones later broke a 67 yard TD run on the first play of the second quarter but the point after try failed, 28-13.
The Cougars promptly returned the kickoff for another score, 35-13.
Claiborne started their drive deep in Cougar territory and after a run play were on the three yard line. After penalty, Jones scored on an eight yard run. Gerrells completed the two point conversion on a sneak, 35-21.
The Claiborne defense then forced a fourth and long but a QB run moved the chains. Two plays later the Cougars scored, 42-21.
Claiborne started their next drive on their own 20 and Bolton ran the ball down to the Cougars 39. One play later a great play by the Northview defense stripped the ball and recovered the fumble. The Cougars offense completed an end around play to keep their drive going and with 16 seconds left, faced a third and 10. The drive ran out of time but the Cougars led 42-21 at the half.
Claiborne had the ball to open the second half on their own 19. The Bulldogs got a first down off the legs of Jones and Landen Poore had some tough running up the middle that fired the team up; however, the Cougars forced a third and five. Ryan Olsen ran for another first down to keep the drive going and after a penalty the Bulldogs were on the Cougars 31. Bolton rushed down the right side and made it to the 11 but a Claiborne penalty brought the ball back. At this point the offensive line was playing strong. On a fourth and three Claiborne converted on a Bolton run down the right side. Gerrells kept the ball and scored from eight yards out. The two point conversion try failed and Claiborne moved closer at 42-27.
Northview broke down the middle and found the corner for another score and point after try, 49-27.
Jones then broke an 80 yard TD run and Claiborne tried another two point conversion that was made by Poore, 49-35.
The Cougars drove the ball down the field via the middle run as the third quarter came to a close, 49-35. Their drive continued when the fourth quarter opened and Claiborne had a penalty that helped the Cougars. It was first and five with the ball on the 10 for Northview. The Cougars scored making it 56-35.
Claiborne’s next drive started on their own 20. Lost ground on a penalty, gained some back on a penalty against the Cougars and after a Olsen run were faced with a third and 12. Northview stopped the run and Claiborne punted to their own 44 yard line.
The Cougars next drive ended with a fourth down fumble and recovery by Claiborne. The Bulldogs tried rushing the ball again and the Cougars were expecting it. On a third and 12 the Bulldogs converted the first down with an Olsen rush. The Dogs kept rushing up the middle and fumbled the ball to Northview who picked it up and returned it for six. The Cougars led Claiborne 63-35 after the PAT.
The Bulldogs fumbled on the first play of the next drive and with 4:06 left the Cougars were in scoring position looking for their 70th point. With 2:30 remaining they did just that with the point after, 70-35.
After another long week for the Bulldogs off the field they fell at Northview 70-35. Considering the Cougars had all of their defense within five yards of the ball, Claiborne ran the ball extremely well but needed a passing offense to catch back up.
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