The Dodge County High School Indians ended a week of homecoming festivities by hosting the East Laurens High School Falcons at Memorial Stadium this past Friday night. This game was a region game in 3AA region and a must win for Dodge County to remain in the run for a playoff birth.
East Laurens received the opening kickoff and the first play of the game began on the 25-yard line. Leonard Floyd (#83) made two great tackles leading the Indian defense with a stop forcing the Falcons to punt on fourth down.
The Indians took their first possession on their 20-yard line. D’Eric McNair (#11) passed to Floyd (#83) for a 5-yard gain. The Falcons stopped the drive and Walt Turner (#86) was forced to punt.
East Laurens started their second drive on their 36-yard line. The Falcons moved the ball to the 47-yard line and fumbled. Dodge County recovered the fumble. The Indians did not advance far and Turner (#86) was forced to punt on fourth down.
The punt was blocked by East Laurens defender Pringle (#4) who ran 35-yards into the end zone for the first points of the ball game. The extra point attempt failed and with four minutes five seconds left to play in the first quarter, the score was East Laurens 6 and Dodge 0.
Dodge rallied back on their next possession with three consecutive first downs to the Falcon’s 35-yard line. Marlek Lamb (#7) scored a touchdown on a 35-yard run. The extra point attempt was good and Dodge took the lead 7 to 6 with one-minute left in the first quarter.
The second quarter was a battle of the defenses as both Dodge County and East Laurens exchanged the ball five times during the second quarter. East Laurens kicker Nick Fordham (#19) kicked a 23-yard field goal giving the Falcons a 9 to 6 lead with thirty-six seconds left in the first half.
The halftime score was East Laurens 9 and Dodge 7.
The Dodge County High School homecoming court was presented to the audience and Kadayasha Jones was named the 2011 DCHS homecoming queen. Jaye Hilliard won first runner-up and Leah Register won second runner-up.
Dodge County began the third quarter of play and advanced the ball to the 40-yard line. Turner (#86) was forced to punt on fourth down and the punt put the ball on the 1-yard line for the Falcons. Dodge’s defense shut down the Falcons and Dodge regained control of the ball with first and goal on the 5-yard line.
Cole Honeycutt (#16) was in for quarterback. After three unsuccessful attempts to score a touchdown, Turner (#86) made a 14-yard field goal giving the Indians a 10 to 9 lead with two minutes left to play in the third quarter.
East Laurens’ offensive team played down the clock in the fourth quarter but was unable to score as the Indian defense once again stopped the Falcons.
Dodge County’s offensive team made four consecutive first downs driving down field to the 4-yard line. McNair (#11) rushed the ball 4-yards into the end zone for a touchdown with two minutes left in the game. The extra point attempt by Turner (#86) was good and Dodge’s lead was 16 to 9.
East Laurens tried to advance the ball down field but the defensive line of Dodge County shut the Falcons down yet again. Dodge County ran the clock down in the final minutes of the game and the final score was Dodge County 16 and East Laurens 9.
Dodge County rushed for 259 yards with 16 first downs. The Indians held the Falcons to only 6 first downs and 87 rushing yards.
The Dodge County Indians (4-3) will travel to Dublin to play the Dublin Irish (7-0) this week. Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Support the Indians by wearing red on Friday night. As always, this will be the game of the season.
