By Joey Marchant
With a 34-14 victory over East Laurens, Dodge has moved a step closer to making the state playoffs for the eighth straight season.
Dodge started the night by honoring its 2019 senior class. In a touching moment, Dodge Seniors brought out a #85 jersey in honor of Kevin Mack, a Dodge County Middle School player who passed away while in the eighth grade in 2016. Kevin was loved by all who knew him. My son told me the week of the Dublin game this year that one of the last times he remembered hearing Kevin speak was in the locker room after Dodge Middle squandered a halftime lead to Dublin in the 2015 Middle School Region Championship Game. Kevin tried to encourage his teammates who were taking the loss hard. “We will beat Dublin when we get to high school,” Kevin said. Kevin’s prediction came true as Kevin’s classmates beat Dublin in high school for the next two years. His old Dodge Middle teammates beat Dublin in 2016 for the Middle School Region Championship. Kevin’s memory lives on in the hearts of his teammates as demonstrated here Friday night.
Mason Mangham kicked off for Dodge squibbing it so as to protect against what happened on the opening kickoff the prior week. East Laurens returned it to its own 41 yard line where the Dodge Defense forced a three and out to start the game.
After an East Laurens punt, Dodge took over at its own 32 yard line. Kade Harpe started at quarterback for Dodge, but he was trying to get over a stomach virus and would not make it through the first quarter. Harpe completed a seven yard wide receiver screen to Keldrick Beck on the first drive, but Dodge could not make a first down. Timmy Johnson came in to punt and got off a 51 yard punt, which was inexplicably fielded by East Laurens at the two yard line and returned to the five yard line.
AJ Melvin dropped the running back for a loss on first down. On second down, Lamarie Mitchell intercepted a pass on the 22 yard line that deflected off the hands of an East Laurens receiver. Mitchell’s feet got tangled up as he came down with the ball, so Dodge would take over there. Kade Harpe kept the ball twice for a total of eight yards. Harpe then handed to Daylon Gordon who ran 14 yards for a touchdown. Mangham added the extra point to give Dodge a 7-0 lead.
Dodge went with the traditional kickoff this time as Tyrese Johnson dropped the returner on the East Laurens 22 yard line. The Dodge Defense forced a three and out with Nathan Coley fielding the punt in heavy traffic and returning it 11 yards to the East Laurens 45 yard line. Harpe tried to continue hitting Beck for a five yard gain on a curl route between two incompletions, but Dodge would go three plays and out, and Harpe’s night would be done. Timmy Johnson punted for 33 yards angling it out of bounds at the East Laurens seven yard line. Dodge forced a three and out, and the East Laurens line drive punt went out of bounds on its own 38 yard line where Dodge would take over.
Freshman Hunter Kirkley came in at quarterback to relieve the ailing Harpe who was noticeably sick on the sidelines between possessions. Kirkley hit Davis Marchant on a tight end screen pass for a gain of 27 yards to the East Laurens 11 yard line. Dodge’s Offense stalled, and Mangham connected on a 27 yard field goal to give Dodge a 10-0 lead.
Gabe Thompson kicked off, and a host of Indians tackled the returner on the East Laurens 28 yard line. On first down, Landynn Powers sacked the quarterback for a loss of eight yards. On second down, a blown coverage by Dodge resulted in a huge play for East Laurens. Two Dodge Defenders jumped a hitch route by a receiver allowing a second receiver to catch a pass running free down the sideline. Safety Ja’Lon Jaynes slowed him up on the Dodge 40 yard line allowing Timmy Johnson to catch the receiver from behind tomahawking the ball loose momentarily before the receiver gathered the ball in at the Dodge 10 yard line. Two plays later, East Laurens completed a touchdown pass. The extra point cut the Dodge lead to 10-7.
Nathan Coley returned the kickoff to the Dodge 34 yard line. Kirkley completed passes of 13 yards and 15 yards to Beck as well as a 23 yard pass to Kevin Sykes, Jr. to get Dodge to the East Laurens eight yard line. Gordon carried for gains of six, seven, zero and a one yard touchdown. Mangham’s extra point gave Dodge a 17-7 lead.
Kane Northcutt ran the kick returner out of bounds at the 24 yard line. Timmy Johnson, Noah Cummings and Javon McNeal combined to drop the East Laurens running back for a 1 yard loss on first down. On third down, Elisha Williams sacked the quarterback for a seven yard loss to force a punt.
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Sports - Topics from October, 2019
Irish defeat Indians, 35-6
By Joey Marchant
The undefeated and fourth ranked Dublin Irish rolled into Dodge County where they defeated the Indians by a score of 35-6. Dodge had a great defensive game plan and was able to contain the strong Irish rushing game for nearly two quarters. In the end, Dodge’s inability to produce on offense resulted in the wearing down of the defense. Dublin ran 73 offensive plays to Dodge’s 31 offensive plays.
Dublin got the ball to start the game at its own 33 yard line after Mason Mangham intentionally squibbed the kickoff. On the first play, Dodge lost containment on a 36 yard run before Mikhail Carr could make a tackle at the Dodge 31 yard line. On first down, Javon McNeal dropped the running back for a three yard loss. On second down, a host of Indians led by Elijah Williams dropped the running back for a loss of five yards. This brought up a long third down on which Noah Cummings sacked the Dublin quarterback for a four yard loss. On fourth down, Dublin snapped the ball far over the head of the punter. Running back Jaquez Evans also handles punting and kickoff duties for the Irish, so he picked the ball up and tried to get back what yards he could breaking three tackles. However, McNeal brought him down at the Irish 36 yard line.
Dodge had an excellent opportunity to take an early lead. Daylon Gordon rushed for three yards on first down. Kade Harpe completed a wide receiver screen to Tyrese Johnson on second down, but a block was missed, and the play failed to gain. On third down, Harpe tried to change the play at the line of scrimmage, but there was some confusion and Harpe was sacked on the play. Timmy Johnson got off a 38 yard punt, which rolled into the end zone for a touchback.
Dublin drove down the field entirely on the ground, but the Dodge Defense stiffened around its own 20 yard line. On fourth and three from the Dodge 19 yard line, Dublin sent Evans into the left flat. Dodge was focused on the run, and no one covered Evans who caught a short pass and ran into the end zone for a touchdown. Dublin added the extra point and led 7-0.
The Dublin kickoff went out of bounds, and Dodge started at its own 35 yard line. Nathan Coley rushed for one yard to the 36 yard line. From there, Harpe hit Keldrick Beck on a short curl route between three defenders. Beck quickly turned and showcased his speed going 64 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was blocked, and Dublin led 7-6. Beck’s catch and run was Dodge’s only big offensive play of the night and accounted for two-thirds of Dodge’s 97 yards of total offense.
The Dodge defense would continue to stand strong forcing Dublin to punt on its next two possessions. Then late in the half, coach Roger Holmes dialed up a play Dublin had not shown on film. The quarterback dropped back as if to pass with Evans blocking before he slipped the ball to Evans from behind on a draw play. Evans headed up field, and then he cut to the outside picking up some key blocks on his way to a 45 yard touchdown run. Evans was tackled by Carr as he crossed the goal line and fell out of bounds into a piece of band equipment cutting his arm. However, he refused to leave the game. Paramedics bandaged him up at halftime until he could get further attention after the game. The extra point gave Dublin a 14-6 lead, and the half ended that way.
The Dodge offense self-destructed on the first play of the second half when Tyrese Johnson attempted to take a handoff from Harpe on the jet sweep. The ball fell to the turf, and Dublin pounced on it at the Dodge 10 yard line. Two plays later Dublin scored. The extra point gave Dublin a 21-6 lead.
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The undefeated and fourth ranked Dublin Irish rolled into Dodge County where they defeated the Indians by a score of 35-6. Dodge had a great defensive game plan and was able to contain the strong Irish rushing game for nearly two quarters. In the end, Dodge’s inability to produce on offense resulted in the wearing down of the defense. Dublin ran 73 offensive plays to Dodge’s 31 offensive plays.
Dublin got the ball to start the game at its own 33 yard line after Mason Mangham intentionally squibbed the kickoff. On the first play, Dodge lost containment on a 36 yard run before Mikhail Carr could make a tackle at the Dodge 31 yard line. On first down, Javon McNeal dropped the running back for a three yard loss. On second down, a host of Indians led by Elijah Williams dropped the running back for a loss of five yards. This brought up a long third down on which Noah Cummings sacked the Dublin quarterback for a four yard loss. On fourth down, Dublin snapped the ball far over the head of the punter. Running back Jaquez Evans also handles punting and kickoff duties for the Irish, so he picked the ball up and tried to get back what yards he could breaking three tackles. However, McNeal brought him down at the Irish 36 yard line.
Dodge had an excellent opportunity to take an early lead. Daylon Gordon rushed for three yards on first down. Kade Harpe completed a wide receiver screen to Tyrese Johnson on second down, but a block was missed, and the play failed to gain. On third down, Harpe tried to change the play at the line of scrimmage, but there was some confusion and Harpe was sacked on the play. Timmy Johnson got off a 38 yard punt, which rolled into the end zone for a touchback.
Dublin drove down the field entirely on the ground, but the Dodge Defense stiffened around its own 20 yard line. On fourth and three from the Dodge 19 yard line, Dublin sent Evans into the left flat. Dodge was focused on the run, and no one covered Evans who caught a short pass and ran into the end zone for a touchdown. Dublin added the extra point and led 7-0.
The Dublin kickoff went out of bounds, and Dodge started at its own 35 yard line. Nathan Coley rushed for one yard to the 36 yard line. From there, Harpe hit Keldrick Beck on a short curl route between three defenders. Beck quickly turned and showcased his speed going 64 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was blocked, and Dublin led 7-6. Beck’s catch and run was Dodge’s only big offensive play of the night and accounted for two-thirds of Dodge’s 97 yards of total offense.
The Dodge defense would continue to stand strong forcing Dublin to punt on its next two possessions. Then late in the half, coach Roger Holmes dialed up a play Dublin had not shown on film. The quarterback dropped back as if to pass with Evans blocking before he slipped the ball to Evans from behind on a draw play. Evans headed up field, and then he cut to the outside picking up some key blocks on his way to a 45 yard touchdown run. Evans was tackled by Carr as he crossed the goal line and fell out of bounds into a piece of band equipment cutting his arm. However, he refused to leave the game. Paramedics bandaged him up at halftime until he could get further attention after the game. The extra point gave Dublin a 14-6 lead, and the half ended that way.
The Dodge offense self-destructed on the first play of the second half when Tyrese Johnson attempted to take a handoff from Harpe on the jet sweep. The ball fell to the turf, and Dublin pounced on it at the Dodge 10 yard line. Two plays later Dublin scored. The extra point gave Dublin a 21-6 lead.
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Dodge holds off Northeast Macon
By Joey Marchant
Dodge traveled to Macon needing a win against Northeast to keep its region championship hopes alive. Northeast came in with a lot of size, strength and experience. That size and strength would give Dodge fits all night. However, in the end Dodge looked like the more experienced team able to keep its composure and make plays with the game hanging in the balance.
Northeast took the opening kickoff out to the Dodge 35 yard line before Jaylon Jaynes could make the tackle. On third down, Northeast Quarterback Travion Solomon threw the ball directly to Dodge’s Nathan Coley at midfield. Coley took it down the sideline for a touchdown, his second touchdown return in the past two games. Mikhail Carr scored the two point conversion to give Dodge an early 8-0 lead.
Dodge again had trouble containing the kick returner, and Carr had to make the tackle at the Northeast 43 yard line. Northeast would use a series of runs and short passes to get to the Dodge 15 yard line, but the Dodge defense would hold. Elijah Williams dropped the runner for a four yard loss on first down. Timmy Johnson almost picked off a pass on second down. Rico Caines sacked the quarterback on third down. A fourth down pass on a corner route fell incomplete as Keldrick Beck defended. Dodge took over at its own 30 yard line.
Dodge came out with Carr at quarterback. He took the snap and ran right picking up 12 yards. Dodge came back with the same play, but a holding call on the perimeter negated a gain by Carr. Kade Harpe then entered the game at quarterback. Harpe rolled left and hit slot receiver Kevin Sykes, Jr., who ran a short out route picking up 10 yards. A Northeast defender gave Sykes a late shove out of bounds and was flagged for 15 yards moving the ball to the Northeast 43 yard line. The Dodge offensive line struggled to block resulting in Daylon Gordon being dropped twice near the line of scrimmage and Harpe being sacked back at midfield. On fourth down, Dodge ran the fake punt play we have seen often in recent years. Caines crouched behind the Dodge linemen next to Carr. Punter Timmy Johnson faked as if the ball was snapped over his head while Carr actually took the snap moving right and slipped the ball to the still crouched Caines who ran back to the left. Northeast sniffed out the fake and tackled Caines after a short gain.
Northeast took over on downs at its own 48 yard line and again used a series of runs and short passes to reach deep into Dodge territory. A Northeast pass was complete on fourth down, but Coley tackled the receiver immediately short of the first down.
Dodge took over at its own 21 yard line. Harpe passed to Carr for six yards, and Gordon carried for five yards and a first down. Harpe carried for three yards. Then Gordon took a handoff and raced 47 yards before being brought down deep in Northeast territory.
Dodge would eventually turn it over on downs at the Northeast 10 yard line early in the second quarter. Northeast would drive the ball into Dodge territory at the 48 yard line before having to punt. A high snap and pressure from Javon McNeal resulted in a short punt that rolled dead at the Dodge 35 yard line.
Dodge went three plays and out. A wild snap caused Timmy Johnson to have to move to his right to catch the ball, and he had to rush his punt, which only netted 18 yards. Johnson took some contact on the play, but no flag was thrown.
Northeast took over at its own 45 yard line, but went three and out. The Northeast punt rolled out of bounds at the Dodge 35 yard line. Harpe later faked to Gordon and rolled left where he spotted Carr running free down the field. Harpe threw a nice easy pass which Carr cradled and took into the end zone for a 67 yard touchdown. Carr’s defender attempted to jam Carr at the line, but then he let Carr go in favor of another receiver running a shallow route. There was no one within 15 yards of Carr when he caught the football. Mangham added the extra point, and Dodge took what looked at the time like a comfortable 15-0 lead.
Dodge again struggled to cover the kickoff, and Carr and Kane Northcutt had to make the tackle at midfield. Northeast took advantage of the good field position on the legs of Deondre Duehart, the Warner Robins High School transfer, who would gash the Dodge Defense for 137 yards and 3 touchdowns on the night. Duehart scored from six yards out on this drive. The extra point was no good, but Dodge was flagged on the play. Northeast trotted Duehart back out, and he converted the two point play to cut the Dodge lead to 15-8. The half would end that way.
Dodge would get the ball to start the second half, but Northeast would intercept a Harpe pass on the Dodge 45 yard line. Duehart would score on a seven yard run for Northeast. The extra point tied the game at 15-15. Dodge had a game on its hands.
The teams would then trade punts with Dodge getting the better field position on the exchange thanks to a 40 yarder by Timmy Johnson. Timmy has really been a pleasant surprise with his punting this year.
Dodge took over at the Northeast 38 yard line where Harpe hit Timmy Johnson on an out route for a 10 yard gain. Harpe gained 12 yards on a keeper. Later Dodge faced a 3rd down and 20 at the Northeast 27 yard line. Harpe hit Tyrese Johnson on a slant route as Johnson split two defenders for a touchdown. However, Northeast’s Roderick Smith obliterated the snapper and blocked the extra point. Dodge led 21-15. That was an illegal play as you are not allowed to hit the snapper in high school football. No flag was thrown. Smith did everything for Northeast but run the concession stand as he played offense and defense recording 4 tackles including a sack and 2 blocked kicks. He was also named Mr. Northeast High School during homecoming festivities.
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Dodge traveled to Macon needing a win against Northeast to keep its region championship hopes alive. Northeast came in with a lot of size, strength and experience. That size and strength would give Dodge fits all night. However, in the end Dodge looked like the more experienced team able to keep its composure and make plays with the game hanging in the balance.
Northeast took the opening kickoff out to the Dodge 35 yard line before Jaylon Jaynes could make the tackle. On third down, Northeast Quarterback Travion Solomon threw the ball directly to Dodge’s Nathan Coley at midfield. Coley took it down the sideline for a touchdown, his second touchdown return in the past two games. Mikhail Carr scored the two point conversion to give Dodge an early 8-0 lead.
Dodge again had trouble containing the kick returner, and Carr had to make the tackle at the Northeast 43 yard line. Northeast would use a series of runs and short passes to get to the Dodge 15 yard line, but the Dodge defense would hold. Elijah Williams dropped the runner for a four yard loss on first down. Timmy Johnson almost picked off a pass on second down. Rico Caines sacked the quarterback on third down. A fourth down pass on a corner route fell incomplete as Keldrick Beck defended. Dodge took over at its own 30 yard line.
Dodge came out with Carr at quarterback. He took the snap and ran right picking up 12 yards. Dodge came back with the same play, but a holding call on the perimeter negated a gain by Carr. Kade Harpe then entered the game at quarterback. Harpe rolled left and hit slot receiver Kevin Sykes, Jr., who ran a short out route picking up 10 yards. A Northeast defender gave Sykes a late shove out of bounds and was flagged for 15 yards moving the ball to the Northeast 43 yard line. The Dodge offensive line struggled to block resulting in Daylon Gordon being dropped twice near the line of scrimmage and Harpe being sacked back at midfield. On fourth down, Dodge ran the fake punt play we have seen often in recent years. Caines crouched behind the Dodge linemen next to Carr. Punter Timmy Johnson faked as if the ball was snapped over his head while Carr actually took the snap moving right and slipped the ball to the still crouched Caines who ran back to the left. Northeast sniffed out the fake and tackled Caines after a short gain.
Northeast took over on downs at its own 48 yard line and again used a series of runs and short passes to reach deep into Dodge territory. A Northeast pass was complete on fourth down, but Coley tackled the receiver immediately short of the first down.
Dodge took over at its own 21 yard line. Harpe passed to Carr for six yards, and Gordon carried for five yards and a first down. Harpe carried for three yards. Then Gordon took a handoff and raced 47 yards before being brought down deep in Northeast territory.
Dodge would eventually turn it over on downs at the Northeast 10 yard line early in the second quarter. Northeast would drive the ball into Dodge territory at the 48 yard line before having to punt. A high snap and pressure from Javon McNeal resulted in a short punt that rolled dead at the Dodge 35 yard line.
Dodge went three plays and out. A wild snap caused Timmy Johnson to have to move to his right to catch the ball, and he had to rush his punt, which only netted 18 yards. Johnson took some contact on the play, but no flag was thrown.
Northeast took over at its own 45 yard line, but went three and out. The Northeast punt rolled out of bounds at the Dodge 35 yard line. Harpe later faked to Gordon and rolled left where he spotted Carr running free down the field. Harpe threw a nice easy pass which Carr cradled and took into the end zone for a 67 yard touchdown. Carr’s defender attempted to jam Carr at the line, but then he let Carr go in favor of another receiver running a shallow route. There was no one within 15 yards of Carr when he caught the football. Mangham added the extra point, and Dodge took what looked at the time like a comfortable 15-0 lead.
Dodge again struggled to cover the kickoff, and Carr and Kane Northcutt had to make the tackle at midfield. Northeast took advantage of the good field position on the legs of Deondre Duehart, the Warner Robins High School transfer, who would gash the Dodge Defense for 137 yards and 3 touchdowns on the night. Duehart scored from six yards out on this drive. The extra point was no good, but Dodge was flagged on the play. Northeast trotted Duehart back out, and he converted the two point play to cut the Dodge lead to 15-8. The half would end that way.
Dodge would get the ball to start the second half, but Northeast would intercept a Harpe pass on the Dodge 45 yard line. Duehart would score on a seven yard run for Northeast. The extra point tied the game at 15-15. Dodge had a game on its hands.
The teams would then trade punts with Dodge getting the better field position on the exchange thanks to a 40 yarder by Timmy Johnson. Timmy has really been a pleasant surprise with his punting this year.
Dodge took over at the Northeast 38 yard line where Harpe hit Timmy Johnson on an out route for a 10 yard gain. Harpe gained 12 yards on a keeper. Later Dodge faced a 3rd down and 20 at the Northeast 27 yard line. Harpe hit Tyrese Johnson on a slant route as Johnson split two defenders for a touchdown. However, Northeast’s Roderick Smith obliterated the snapper and blocked the extra point. Dodge led 21-15. That was an illegal play as you are not allowed to hit the snapper in high school football. No flag was thrown. Smith did everything for Northeast but run the concession stand as he played offense and defense recording 4 tackles including a sack and 2 blocked kicks. He was also named Mr. Northeast High School during homecoming festivities.
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