The Dodge County Indians (4-3) traveled to Dublin this past Friday night to play the undefeated fighting Irish (7-0) in 3AA region play. A large crowd filled the stadium to watch the rivalry game between the two teams.
Dodge County received the opening game kickoff. Quarterback D’Eric McNair (#11) rushed the ball 11-yards on the first play for a first down. Marcus Brown (#3) ran 10-yards for a second consecutive first down. McNair and Brown completed two runs and moved the ball to the 48-yard line for the fourth consecutive first down of the opening drive. McNair threw a completed pass to Leonard Floyd (#83) and Floyd ran into Irish territory down to the 25-yard line. The Indians’ first drive of the game stunned the Irish as the Indian offensive team looked impressive and had the crowd on its feet in the stands.
However, the Indian offensive team did not continue the drive as they found themselves with fourth and ten on the 25-yard line of the Irish. The coaching staff opted to go for a first down versus a field goal and an incomplete pass turned the ball over to the Irish with seven minutes of play left in the first quarter.
Dublin took over on the 25-yard line and moved the ball quickly to the 46-yard line. A facemask penalty against Dodge allowed the Irish to advance into Indian territory with a first and ten on the Indian 31-yard line. The Irish marched down field to the 4-yard line. The Indian defense tried to hold Dublin and on third and two, but the Irish scored a touchdown with a short run into the end zone. With two minutes of play left in the first quarter, the score was Dublin 7 and Dodge 0.
Dodge started the second drive of the game from their 29-yard line. Marlek Lamb (# 7) ran the ball for a 10-yard carry to the 39-yard line. A holding penalty against Dodge put the ball back to the 34-yard line. On second and fifteen, McNair threw a complete pass to Lamb and advanced the ball to the 49-yard line for a first down. McNair threw a short pass to Curtis Rushing (#8) and Rushing ran the ball to the 46-yard line. The Indian drive stalled and Walt Turner (#86) was forced to punt on fourth down. This ended the second quarter of play.
Dublin began their second drive from the 24-yard line. On the second play of the drive, a completed pass and 80-yard touchdown run into the end zone quieted the Dodge crowd and the Irish advanced their lead. The point after attempt was good and the score was Dublin 14 and Dodge 0.
Rushing returned the kickoff to the 46-yard line igniting the Dodge fans. The Indians could not move the ball and found themselves with a fourth down and three. McNair handed off to Courvoisier Gooch (#50) and Gooch ran the ball into Irish territory to the 30-yard line for another first down. The Dodge fans were on their feet cheering the Indians. Dodge County once again created a successful offensive drive. The drive slowed when the Indians were faced with a fourth and ten on the Irish 31-yard line. McNair completed a pass to Marcus Brown but fell short 1-yard for the first down. The ball went over to the Irish with just under eight minutes of play left in the first half.
Dublin started a drive on their 20-yard line. The Indian defensive team led by Marvin Butler (#34) stopped the Irish. On fourth and seven, the Irish punted the ball away to the Indians.
Dodge took the ball to the 39-yard line of Dublin. A fumble by Dodge gave the ball back to the Irish with six minutes of play left in the first half. Dublin moved the ball down to the Indian 20-yard line for a first down. The Irish threw a completed pass for a touchdown. The point after attempt was good and the Irish lead 21-0.
Dublin stunned the Indians by recovering the ball on a kickoff play that resembled an on-side kick. The Irish had a scoring opportunity on the Indian 35-yard line with one minute forty seconds of play left in the first half. The Indian defense held the Irish and Rushing intercepted a pass on the 20-yard line as the time clock expired at the end of the first half of play. The halftime score was Dublin 21 and Dodge 0.
The Indians started the third quarter of play on their 40-yard line. A combination of passes to Brown and Rushing advanced the ball to the 14-yard line of the Irish. On third and nine, McNair threw a completed pass to Rushing for a touchdown. The point after attempt by Turner was good and Dodge put their first points on the scoreboard. The score was Dublin 21 and Dodge 7 with five minutes of play left in the third quarter.
Dublin first play action in the second half showed an impressive drive down to the Indian’s 20-yard line. The Irish fumbled but recovered the ball forcing a fourth down.
The Irish decided to go for a field goal but the attempt failed.
Dodge County began fourth quarter play with Cole Honeycutt (#16) as quarterback. The Indians could not get any momentum going and were forced to punt on fourth down.
Dublin scored a late fourth quarter touchdown followed by a point after kick ending the game. The final score was Dublin 28 and Dodge 7.
The Indian team played the best thus far this season in the game against Dublin. The Indians will host the Bleckley County Royals this Friday night at home at Memorial Stadium.
Game time for Friday night’s game is 7:30.
