Dodge dominates Waco to claim region title
By Joey Marchant
Dodge traveled to the House of Pain in Sandersville with their eyes firmly fixed on a Region 3AA title. Dodge dominated from start to finish for a 35-16 victory. Washington County (“Waco”) won the toss and deferred until the second half. Tyrese Johnson returned the opening kickoff 29 yards to the Dodge 34 yard line. Mikhail Carr started at the quarterback position and took the first snap gaining 15 yards around right end before being shoved out of bounds. Hunter Kirkley came in for Carr and handed to Daylon Gordon who ran 39 yards up the middle to the Waco eight yard line. Carr came back in and ran eight yards for a touchdown. Mason Mangham split the uprights on the extra point to give Dodge a 7-0 lead.
Mangham squibbed the kickoff, which was covered by Waco at its own 32 yard line. Waco runs two very distinct formations. They prefer to line up in a single wing and snap the ball to the State’s second leading rusher Malyk Walker. At other times they bring in a more traditional quarterback and four wide receivers. On first down, Lamarie Mitchell and Landynn Powers dropped Walker for a one yard loss. On second down, Noah Cummings dropped Walker for a one yard loss. Waco then went with a passing formation, but Keldrick Beck ran the quarterback out of bounds after a seven yard scramble to force a punt.
Kade Harpe was interfered with while making a fair catch of the punt, and Dodge picked up 15 yards on the penalty to start at the Waco 48 yard line. Dodge could not move the football, and Mangham got his foot into a 41 yard punt driving the returner backwards and causing him to fumble the football. Jonah Collins momentarily had a shot at the ball for Dodge, but the returner was able to cover it at his own four yard line.
Waco then went on a 91 yard drive all on the ground. However, Monterrius George led a third down stop at the Dodge five yard line to force a Waco field goal, which was good cutting the Dodge lead to 7-3.
Dodge would be unable to move the football on its next possession, and Mangham got off a 37 yard punt, which was fair caught at the Waco 38 yard line. Harpe would drop into his hook zone and intercept Waco’s pass returning it 6 yards to the Waco 36 yard line. Dodge would move the ball with the running of Carr and Gordon. Carr would eventually score on three yard run followed by another Mangham extra point to give Dodge a 14-3 lead.
Gordon and Carr also played defense for Dodge each coming up with first half interceptions deep in Dodge territory to thwart the Golden Hawks. The first half ended with Dodge leading 14-3, but Waco would get the ball to start the second half.
Mangham executed the squib kick, which Waco had trouble fielding, and Davis Marchant tackled the returner at his own 29. Waco attempted a pass out of the single wing, but Carr stayed home to defend on the play. Dodge held on two running plays, and a short Waco punt rolled dead at the Dodge 40 yard line. Carr ran 14 yards dragging a defender the last nine yards to the Waco 46 yard line. It appeared Waco had stopped Gordon short on third down, but grabbed him by the face mask resulting in a first down at the Waco 25 yard line. Carr would take it around right end for a 25 yard touchdown, and Mangham’s extra point made it 21-3 Dodge.
Jaylon Jaynes dropped the returner at the 26 yard line. A holding penalty on first down backed the Golden Hawks up, and Reco Caines sacked the quarterback on the Waco 9 yard line. Waco would commit two more penalties before Caines and Beck converged to force a receiver to come down out of bounds after making a catch on third down.
Harpe fair caught the punt on the Waco 45 yard line. Gordon broke off a 20 yard run on first down to the Waco 25 yard line. Eventually Gordon would take it in for the touchdown from 1 yard out. Mangham’s kick gave Dodge a 28-3 lead.
Waco would mount another drive, but Jackson Bowen forced a fumble that Cummings recovered at the Dodge 10 yard line. Waco would add two late scores, and Gordon would add a 36 yard touchdown run to make the final score Dodge 35 Waco 16.
Gordon rushed for 190 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns while Carr rushed for 91 yards on 12 carries and three touchdowns. Georgia High School Football Daily recognized the Dodge offensive line of Clay Lee, Chanler Neill, Jarred Frost, Cameron Gooch, Lane Poole and Davis Marchant as one of its lines of distinction this week.
With the win and the cancellation of the Southwest game, Dodge clinched the region championship and will host Swainsboro at home in the first round of the state playoffs on November 27.
Lady Indians named to first and second teams by Maxpreps
By Russ Ragan
The all region 3-AA softball team has been released. The Lady Indians had three players on the first team and five more on the second team. Dodge finished ranked number seven in AA in the poll by Maxpreps.
Dodge was lead by senior third baseman Logan White. She was name region player of the year and first team third baseman. White hit .419 on the year while leading Dodge with seven homers and 27 RBI’s. She also led Dodge with 31 hits. She was also four for four in stolen bases.
Joining White on the first team was sophomore catcher Ava Roland. She was the Lady Indians leading hitter with a .433 average. Roland had three homers and 18 RBI’s. She was second on the team with 26 hits.
The third member of the first team was freshman pitcher, Brooke Perdue. She was 9-3 on the year with a 2.36 ERA. She had nine complete games including a shutout. At the plate she had four doubles a triple and 11 RBI’s.
Leading the Lady Indians on the second team was senior first baseman Gracie Lewis. She hit .391 on the year with five doubles, a triple and she was second on the team with 20 RBIs.
Next up was freshman center fielder Ava Maxwell. She was sensational in the field and was the leadoff hitter for Dodge. Maxwell led the team with 26 runs scored, 16 walks and hit by pitch with seven. Maxwell led the team with a .500 on base percentage and her nine stolen bases were top for the team.
Next up, senior right fielder Bailey Harvey. She hit .317 on the season with two homers, two doubles, and a triple and 12 RBIs. Harvey was tied for second with hit by pitch with four and she stole two bases.
Next up, is junior short stop Makiyah Roberson. She hit .364 on the season. Robersonhad six doubles and 10 RBIs. Her three sacrifice flies led the team.
Wrapping up the second team is senior pitcher Linzy Bowen at the plate. She hit .304 and she stole two bases. On the mound she had four wins and six complete games. Bowen had 43 strikeouts in 56 innings pitched.
Sports
SPORTS
By Joey Marchant
Dodge shocks Northwest with 35-21 victory
Dodge won its third game in a row on Senior Night coming from behind to defeat the Northeast Raiders by a score of 35-21 and moved one step closer to a Region 3AA Championship. Northeast came in ranked 10th in the State sporting a 5-1 record and was undefeated in Region play having already defeated Bleckley County and Washington County.
Northeast won the toss and deferred. Davis Marchant took a short kickoff and got what he could up to the Dodge 34 yard line. Mikhail Carr lined up at quarterback for Dodge. On the second play from scrimmage, Carr attempted a handoff to Daylon Gordon, but the ball fell to the turf where Northeast pounced on it at the Dodge 30 yard line. Northeast used a short passing game early scoring on a four yard pass to take a 6-0 lead. The extra point attempt was unsuccessful.
Gordon fielded another short kickoff and returned it 25 yards to the Dodge 48 yard line. Three plays later, disaster struck again as Hunter Kirkley attempted to hand off to Gordon, and the ball again fell to the turf where Northeast pounced on it at the Dodge 48 yard line. This time the Dodge defense would hold forcing a three and out. The Northeast punter got off a good punt, and the ball rolled dead at the Dodge 5 yard line.
The Dodge offense could do nothing, and Mason Mangham came in to punt from his own end zone. The ball rolled dead at the Dodge 36 yard line, and Northeast had another golden opportunity. The Raiders moved to the Dodge 10 yard line, but penalties slowed them down. Facing fourth down on the Dodge 15 yard line, the Northeast quarterback rolled right to escape pressure from a blitzing Jackson Bowen. He could have easily ran for the first down and perhaps a touchdown, but he inexplicably tried to force the ball into a tight window in the end zone. Instead, Keldrick Beck batted the ball down.
The Dodge offense took over, and Kirkley hit Jalon Jaynes for 10 yards and a first down. However, after a five-yard run and a two-yard catch by Gordon, Dodge would remain short of a first down and have to punt. Mangham got off a 42-yard punt, and Northeast took over at its 26-yard line. Carr would intercept a third down pass and return it 41 yards for a touchdown to tie the score at 6-6. A two-point attempt by Dodge failed.
Mangham drove the kickoff into the end zone for a touchback. Dodge forced a three and out after Beck went high in the air for a third down pass breakup. Northeast punted, and the ball rolled dead at the Raider 46-yard line. Carr came back in at quarterback and was unstoppable. Carr had runs of 14 yards and 12 yards. Gordon carried for 8 yards, but two penalties forced Dodge back to the Raider 22 yard line. Carr then ran 22 yards for a touchdown picking up a big block from Jayne’s downfield. The two-point attempt was no good, and Dodge led 12-6.
It was about this time that Northeast began to take control of the game and really pound the football on the ground mixing in short passes. Northeast went on an 18-play drive that ended with a touchdown and two point conversion leaving only 13.5 seconds left in the half. Northeast led 14-12 at halftime.
Northeast took the ball to start the second half and scored another touchdown on a nine-play 80-yard drive. The extra point gave northeast a 21-12 lead.
Gordon returned another short kickoff 20 yards to the Dodge 46 yard line. However, Dodge lost 24 yards on a bad snap. Center Pat Stevenson had been injured on the final play of the first half, and the Indians had to shuffle some guys around on the offensive line. This led to another three and out for Dodge. Mangham got off a 44-yard punt that rolled dead at the Northeast 36 yard line. Northeast continued to move the football and eat clock. The Raiders reached the Dodge two yard line in nine plays and seemed poised to put the game out of reach. However, the tide was about to turn. Northeast scored an apparent touchdown with 3:48 to play in the third quarter, but it was negated by a chop block. An illegal procedure penalty on Northeast followed. The ball was now on the Dodge 22 yard line where Kade Harpe ran the quarterback out of bounds for no gain on second down. On third down, Reco Caines sacked the quarterback for a 13 yard loss. After another penalty, Northeast would punt the football but only net 12 yards.
Trailing by nine points late in the third quarter, it was now or never for Dodge. On third down, every linemen executed his block, and Gordon juked the safety and outran the rest of the defense 64 yards for a touchdown. Mangham nailed the extra point, and Dodge cut the Raider lead to 21-19.
Mangham drove the kickoff into the end zone for a touchback. Landynn Powers dropped the running back for a two yard loss on first down. Harpe tackled the quarterback after a three-yard gain on second down. On third down, Powers and Harpe pressured the quarterback into throwing incomplete. The punter shanked another one, and it appeared the ball was going out of bounds. However, Harpe fielded it on a bounce and returned it 20 yards down the sideline to the Raider 15 yard line on the final play of the third quarter.
Another snap sailed over Kirkley’s head for a 15 yard loss. Then Kirkley’s pass was intercepted in the endzone and brought out to the Northeast 20 yard line. The Raiders would move the ball to the Dodge 44 yard line where Dodge forced a punt. The punt went only four yards before being fielded by Beck and returned 22 yards to the Raider 32 yard line. However, a blindside block on the return moved the ball back to the Dodge 40 yard line. Gordon ran 15 yards for a first down, and 15 more yards were tacked on for a late hit out of bounds. Gordon then ran 30 yards for a touchdown. Carr ran for a two-point conversion. Dodge led 27-21.
Lamarie Mitchell dropped the kickoff returner at the Raider 14 yard line. Northeast completed a 55-yard pass to the Dodge 30 yard line. Then Harpe recorded back to back sacks. A third down pass fell incomplete, and Carr and Sherman Clay successfully defended a fourth down pass in the end zone.
Dodge took over at its 42-yard line. Carr would subsequently run 46 yards for a touchdown, but the play was called back for an illegal formation. Two plays later, Gordon ran 44 yards for a touchdown getting a block from Marchant to seal the edge and a block from Tyrese Johnson downfield. Carr ran for the two-point conversion to make the final Dodge 35 Northeast 21.
Dodge improves to 4-3 overall. The win coupled with Washington County’s win over Bleckley County leaves Dodge, Northeast and Washington County in a three way tie for first place in Region 3AA. Dodge controls its own destiny, and can win a Region Championship with wins over Washington County and Southwest Macon. Dodge will travel to Sandersville to take on the Golden Hawks on Friday November 13 at 7:30 pm.
RUSS'S SPORTS REVIEW
BY RUSS RAGAN
It was another so so week for area sports favs. The good news, I guess, was the Falcons 34-27 win over Denver; the win hurts the chances of a top five draft pick.
Then, there were the Bulldogs. Things started out so well against Florida then things fell apart in the 41-28 loss. There is a little baseball news as the Silver Slugger awards were given out.
Let’s start things out with the Falcons. They almost saw another real big lead get away but they did hang on for a 34-27 win over Denver. Matt Ryan had another solid game with 284 yards and three touchdowns. The offense seems to be pretty strong despite not having Calvin Ridley able to go. The season would certainly be interesting if leads against Dallas, Chicago and Detroit would have stood up. The team certainly seems to be playing so much better after the coaching change. The 3-6 Falcons have games left with the Raiders, Chargers, world champion Chiefs and a pair of games against New Orleans and Tampa Bay.
Like I said earlier, things started out so well for Georgia. Zeus raced 75 yards on the game’s first play for a touchdown. After a quick three and out, Bennett hit freshman wide out Marcus Roseny- Jacksaint for another score and it’s 14-0 Georgia. Things at that very point went wrong. Jacksaint suffered a broken ankle and Bennett hurt his shoulder on the play. The Gators took over from there and rolled to a 41-28 win.
The question now is, what’s next for Georgia? First of all, figure out who is the next quarterback. Let’s face it, are Mathis or Bennett really the answer? The answer is unfortunately an obvious no. The Florida and Alabama games were way to big for either of them.
The final four games should be won, so that’s 8-2; not bad right? Wrong, Hard Richt would get 8-2 out of the team. The Dogs need to figure out next year’s quarterback right now! If Daniels is healthy let him play right now. If he isn’t it’s Carson Beck time. Let’s see what the kid can do.
Let’s wrap up things with the Selron Slugger awards. The Braves won four from the National League. Freddie Freeman at first base, he is also a finalist and favorite to win the MVP this week.
We should learn soon about the designated hitter for the national league. It’s the only way the Braves will be interested in bringing back Ozuna.
Dodge shocks Northwest with 35-21 victory
Dodge won its third game in a row on Senior Night coming from behind to defeat the Northeast Raiders by a score of 35-21 and moved one step closer to a Region 3AA Championship. Northeast came in ranked 10th in the State sporting a 5-1 record and was undefeated in Region play having already defeated Bleckley County and Washington County.
Northeast won the toss and deferred. Davis Marchant took a short kickoff and got what he could up to the Dodge 34 yard line. Mikhail Carr lined up at quarterback for Dodge. On the second play from scrimmage, Carr attempted a handoff to Daylon Gordon, but the ball fell to the turf where Northeast pounced on it at the Dodge 30 yard line. Northeast used a short passing game early scoring on a four yard pass to take a 6-0 lead. The extra point attempt was unsuccessful.
Gordon fielded another short kickoff and returned it 25 yards to the Dodge 48 yard line. Three plays later, disaster struck again as Hunter Kirkley attempted to hand off to Gordon, and the ball again fell to the turf where Northeast pounced on it at the Dodge 48 yard line. This time the Dodge defense would hold forcing a three and out. The Northeast punter got off a good punt, and the ball rolled dead at the Dodge 5 yard line.
The Dodge offense could do nothing, and Mason Mangham came in to punt from his own end zone. The ball rolled dead at the Dodge 36 yard line, and Northeast had another golden opportunity. The Raiders moved to the Dodge 10 yard line, but penalties slowed them down. Facing fourth down on the Dodge 15 yard line, the Northeast quarterback rolled right to escape pressure from a blitzing Jackson Bowen. He could have easily ran for the first down and perhaps a touchdown, but he inexplicably tried to force the ball into a tight window in the end zone. Instead, Keldrick Beck batted the ball down.
The Dodge offense took over, and Kirkley hit Jalon Jaynes for 10 yards and a first down. However, after a five-yard run and a two-yard catch by Gordon, Dodge would remain short of a first down and have to punt. Mangham got off a 42-yard punt, and Northeast took over at its 26-yard line. Carr would intercept a third down pass and return it 41 yards for a touchdown to tie the score at 6-6. A two-point attempt by Dodge failed.
Mangham drove the kickoff into the end zone for a touchback. Dodge forced a three and out after Beck went high in the air for a third down pass breakup. Northeast punted, and the ball rolled dead at the Raider 46-yard line. Carr came back in at quarterback and was unstoppable. Carr had runs of 14 yards and 12 yards. Gordon carried for 8 yards, but two penalties forced Dodge back to the Raider 22 yard line. Carr then ran 22 yards for a touchdown picking up a big block from Jayne’s downfield. The two-point attempt was no good, and Dodge led 12-6.
It was about this time that Northeast began to take control of the game and really pound the football on the ground mixing in short passes. Northeast went on an 18-play drive that ended with a touchdown and two point conversion leaving only 13.5 seconds left in the half. Northeast led 14-12 at halftime.
Northeast took the ball to start the second half and scored another touchdown on a nine-play 80-yard drive. The extra point gave northeast a 21-12 lead.
Gordon returned another short kickoff 20 yards to the Dodge 46 yard line. However, Dodge lost 24 yards on a bad snap. Center Pat Stevenson had been injured on the final play of the first half, and the Indians had to shuffle some guys around on the offensive line. This led to another three and out for Dodge. Mangham got off a 44-yard punt that rolled dead at the Northeast 36 yard line. Northeast continued to move the football and eat clock. The Raiders reached the Dodge two yard line in nine plays and seemed poised to put the game out of reach. However, the tide was about to turn. Northeast scored an apparent touchdown with 3:48 to play in the third quarter, but it was negated by a chop block. An illegal procedure penalty on Northeast followed. The ball was now on the Dodge 22 yard line where Kade Harpe ran the quarterback out of bounds for no gain on second down. On third down, Reco Caines sacked the quarterback for a 13 yard loss. After another penalty, Northeast would punt the football but only net 12 yards.
Trailing by nine points late in the third quarter, it was now or never for Dodge. On third down, every linemen executed his block, and Gordon juked the safety and outran the rest of the defense 64 yards for a touchdown. Mangham nailed the extra point, and Dodge cut the Raider lead to 21-19.
Mangham drove the kickoff into the end zone for a touchback. Landynn Powers dropped the running back for a two yard loss on first down. Harpe tackled the quarterback after a three-yard gain on second down. On third down, Powers and Harpe pressured the quarterback into throwing incomplete. The punter shanked another one, and it appeared the ball was going out of bounds. However, Harpe fielded it on a bounce and returned it 20 yards down the sideline to the Raider 15 yard line on the final play of the third quarter.
Another snap sailed over Kirkley’s head for a 15 yard loss. Then Kirkley’s pass was intercepted in the endzone and brought out to the Northeast 20 yard line. The Raiders would move the ball to the Dodge 44 yard line where Dodge forced a punt. The punt went only four yards before being fielded by Beck and returned 22 yards to the Raider 32 yard line. However, a blindside block on the return moved the ball back to the Dodge 40 yard line. Gordon ran 15 yards for a first down, and 15 more yards were tacked on for a late hit out of bounds. Gordon then ran 30 yards for a touchdown. Carr ran for a two-point conversion. Dodge led 27-21.
Lamarie Mitchell dropped the kickoff returner at the Raider 14 yard line. Northeast completed a 55-yard pass to the Dodge 30 yard line. Then Harpe recorded back to back sacks. A third down pass fell incomplete, and Carr and Sherman Clay successfully defended a fourth down pass in the end zone.
Dodge took over at its 42-yard line. Carr would subsequently run 46 yards for a touchdown, but the play was called back for an illegal formation. Two plays later, Gordon ran 44 yards for a touchdown getting a block from Marchant to seal the edge and a block from Tyrese Johnson downfield. Carr ran for the two-point conversion to make the final Dodge 35 Northeast 21.
Dodge improves to 4-3 overall. The win coupled with Washington County’s win over Bleckley County leaves Dodge, Northeast and Washington County in a three way tie for first place in Region 3AA. Dodge controls its own destiny, and can win a Region Championship with wins over Washington County and Southwest Macon. Dodge will travel to Sandersville to take on the Golden Hawks on Friday November 13 at 7:30 pm.
RUSS'S SPORTS REVIEW
BY RUSS RAGAN
It was another so so week for area sports favs. The good news, I guess, was the Falcons 34-27 win over Denver; the win hurts the chances of a top five draft pick.
Then, there were the Bulldogs. Things started out so well against Florida then things fell apart in the 41-28 loss. There is a little baseball news as the Silver Slugger awards were given out.
Let’s start things out with the Falcons. They almost saw another real big lead get away but they did hang on for a 34-27 win over Denver. Matt Ryan had another solid game with 284 yards and three touchdowns. The offense seems to be pretty strong despite not having Calvin Ridley able to go. The season would certainly be interesting if leads against Dallas, Chicago and Detroit would have stood up. The team certainly seems to be playing so much better after the coaching change. The 3-6 Falcons have games left with the Raiders, Chargers, world champion Chiefs and a pair of games against New Orleans and Tampa Bay.
Like I said earlier, things started out so well for Georgia. Zeus raced 75 yards on the game’s first play for a touchdown. After a quick three and out, Bennett hit freshman wide out Marcus Roseny- Jacksaint for another score and it’s 14-0 Georgia. Things at that very point went wrong. Jacksaint suffered a broken ankle and Bennett hurt his shoulder on the play. The Gators took over from there and rolled to a 41-28 win.
The question now is, what’s next for Georgia? First of all, figure out who is the next quarterback. Let’s face it, are Mathis or Bennett really the answer? The answer is unfortunately an obvious no. The Florida and Alabama games were way to big for either of them.
The final four games should be won, so that’s 8-2; not bad right? Wrong, Hard Richt would get 8-2 out of the team. The Dogs need to figure out next year’s quarterback right now! If Daniels is healthy let him play right now. If he isn’t it’s Carson Beck time. Let’s see what the kid can do.
Let’s wrap up things with the Selron Slugger awards. The Braves won four from the National League. Freddie Freeman at first base, he is also a finalist and favorite to win the MVP this week.
We should learn soon about the designated hitter for the national league. It’s the only way the Braves will be interested in bringing back Ozuna.
SPORTS
Dodge County Indians tame Lamar County, 38-0
By Joey Marchant
The Dodge County Indians may finally be hitting their stride. A week after shutting out Monticello, the Indians blanked Lamar County by a score of 38-0. You have to go back to 2007 to find Dodge recording consecutive shutouts. The 2007 team under the leadership of Coach Greg Robinson recorded five consecutive shutouts. Let’s be honest. Monticello and Lamar County are two of the weakest teams in Region 3AA this year. However, it is impressive any time you can shut out your opponent.
Tyrese Johnson took the opening kickoff back 31 yards to the Dodge 36 yard line. On the second play from scrimmage, Hunter Kirkley hit Johnson on a 39 yard pass play to the Lamar 22 yard line. The drive would ultimately stall, and Mason Mangham kicked a 25 yard field goal to give Dodge a 3-0 lead.
Lamar County fumbled on their second play from scrimmage, and Landynn Powers recovered the ball for Dodge at the Lamar 23 yard line. The Dodge Offense could not move, and Mangham missed a 44 yard field goal attempt. Lamar took possession of the ball, but Dodge forced a three and out. Kade Harpe fair caught the punt to give Dodge the ball at the Trojan 40 yard line. Harpe has done a good job of catching the football in the air and saving Dodge a great deal of yardage since being installed as the punt returner against Monticello. Dodge could not move the football giving up a sack on third down. Mangham got off a 46 yard punt, which Keldrick Beck downed at the Lamar County 1 yard line.
Dodge again forced a three and out, and Harpe fair caught the ball at the Trojan 40 yard line. Daylon Gordon had a 22 yard run. Later Kirkley hit Jalon Jaynes with a 23 yard touchdown pass. Jaynes caught the ball on a wide receiver screen and made the first defender miss. He then found a wall of blockers in Cameron Gooch, Jared Frost and Clay Lee. Jaynes outran the Trojans to the front pylon for the score. Mangham nailed the extra point, and Dodge led 10-0 in the second quarter. The teams then traded punts with Mangham angling one out of bounds at the Trojan 17 yard line.
Lamar was finally able to convert a first down, but soon faced a fourth and two yards to go. The Trojans lined up for the punt but instead snapped the ball to an up back who was immediately tackled by Noah Cummings a yard short of the first down. The official quickly signaled Dodge football, and the chains were moved and reset. Lamar’s head coach then demanded a measurement. The officials huddled and debated amongst themselves. Twice it looked like they would bring out the chains for a measurement. However, eventually the officials came to the same conclusion as the Dodge sideline and fans. You cannot go back and measure after moving the chains.
Dodge took over at the Trojan 31 yard line. After a couple of negative plays, Kirkley handed to Carr who ran 33 yards for a touchdown. Carr lined up as a slot receiver and took the handoff on a sweep left, but he found a crease and cut up field near the left hash mark outrunning everyone to the endzone. Mangham split the uprights on the extra point, and Dodge led 17-0.
Lamar would return the ensuing kickoff to its own 41 yard line and have its best scoring opportunity of the game. After allowing the Trojans to reach the Dodge 15 yard line, the Dodge Defense stiffened. Gordon, Cummings and Monterrius George all converged on the quarterback to sack him back on the 22 yard line, and the clock ran out on the first half with Dodge leading 17-0.
Lamar received to start the second half and came out in a tight formation unlike the spread they would run for most of the game. The change in formation may have thrown the Indians off briefly. Lamar pounded out 3 first downs and reached the Dodge 32 yard line where they faced third down. The Trojan quarterback faked a handoff and rolled left where his pass was intercepted by a leaping Lamarie Mitchell. Another receiver had broken open on a deeper route, but Gordon pressured the quarterback resulting in the shorter pass.
After having been bottled up for most of the night, Gordon would go to work on offense. He had carries of 2 yards and 6 yards before breaking a 58 yard touchdown run. Mangham’s extra point made the score 24-0 Dodge.
A Lamar County penalty assessed on the kickoff allowed Mangham to squib it deep into Trojan territory where the returner stepped out of bounds inside the 10 yard line. The Dodge Defense swarmed to the football forcing a three and out. Harpe fair caught the punt at the Trojan 46 yard line, and a Trojan penalty put the ball at the Trojan 31 yard line. Kirkley hit Beck in the endzone for a 31 yard touchdown pass. Mangham’s extra point made it 31-0 Dodge.
Lamar’s next possession ended when Cameron Mills tipped a pass that was intercepted by Sherman Clay. Dodge could not take advantage of the interception, but Mitchell later blocked a Trojan punt and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown. Mangham’s extra point made the final score Dodge County 38 Lamar 0.
Dodge improves to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in Region play. This sets up a huge home game with Northeast Macon on Friday November 6th at 7:30 pm. Northeast defeated Bleckley County on Thursday night by a score of 37-34. This is the best Northeast team in years. They throw the ball around and score a ton of points. The Raiders are also much improved in the trenches.
The Region 3AA playoff picture is starting to take shape. Southeast Macon, Monticello and Lamar County have all but been mathematically eliminated. This leaves Northeast, Bleckley County, Dodge County and Washington County vying for playoff position. Either team could win the Region at this point. Northeast is currently undefeated in Region play, controls its own destiny and could lock up a Region Championship with a win over Dodge. Northeast has already defeated Washington County and Bleckley County. Washington County and Bleckley County also play this week, so we will know much more about the playoffs on Saturday morning.
Dodge will celebrate Senior Night before the Northeast game, so come out early to honor Senior football players, band members, cheer leaders and ROTC Cadets.
Flag football team sweeps Wildcats, 21-0
By Amy Mullis
On Monday, November 2, the Dodge County High School girls’ flag football team travelled to Locust Grove and earned their third victory of the season with a 21-0 defeat over the Wildcats.
“We have played well and are learning a lot,” said coach Clint Sanders. “The season has been a season of firsts for Dodge County Girls Flag Football.”
Among those are Ileisha Mitchell scoring the first touchdown for girls’ flag football with a 53-yard run and Sydney Powell catching the first ever touchdown pass thrown by Logan White to win the team’s third game in the fourth overtime.
A first achieved in this week’s game was sophomore Elizabeth Sanders pulling the Locust Grove quarterback’s flag in the end zone for the first ever safety.
The junior varsity team also played in Locust Grove Monday night but suffered a tough 2-6 loss.
“We have a big area game against Portal High School next Tuesday,” Sanders said. “We need to keep working hard and continue to improve each week.”
BY RUSS RAGAN
I guess there is good news and bad news this week on the sports scene. The good first, Georgia beat Kentucky 14-2 on the road to set up a top ten showdown against Florida. I guess it’s good news that the Falcons beat Carolina 25-17, but it does hurt the team’s draft next year. The Braves may be looking at an old top prospect to come back for the rotation. Also, on a sad note, we lost a local legend on our own scene.
Let’s start on the college scene as the Dogs used a strong running game and a strong defense to beat Kentucky 14-3. The running game was led by red shirt sophomore Zaneir “Zeus” White, as he had 26 carries for 136 yards, both career highs. The defense was led by Richard Lecoute, who had 13 tackles. Now, for the bad news, Stetson Bennett was not good on six more. He had another pair of interceptions to go with his three a game ago against Alabama. I just don’t see the Dogs beating Florida with him in the game. I hope I am wrong. On a note that may be worse defensive standout Lecente is out for several weeks due to a motorcycle injury that he got Saturday night in Athens. Things aren’t adding up good for the weekend in Jacksonville.
The Falcons won their second game of the year both on the road as they got a 25-17 win at Carolina. They did nothing special, as Matt Ryan threw no touchdowns for the third time this year. He did run for one though. Julio Jones had a strong game with 137 yards. The defense did have three sacks and an interception so that’s not bad. It does hurt the draft position. They have a very winnable game this week, their last, against Denver.
Remember, talking about the needed veteran-starting pitcher for the Braves?
They are reportedly after one and it’s their former top prospect Adam Wainwrights. The 39-year-old Brunswick native was the Braves number one pick in the 2000 draft. He was traded to St. Louis for J.D. Drew. The Braves got a great year out of Drew but he left as a free agent. He would be a good pickup for the Braves, but it will be hard to get him away from the Cardinals.
We have to end things on a sad note this week. Recreation department legend James “Red” Roland died over the weekend. Red was a part of the Dodge sports scene for decades. He was a fixture at the recreation department and was a ball boy for the Indian’s football team for many years. He was a fixture on the softball scene for many years. Roland was also the biggest, and only, Dodger fan I knew. I hope he got some joy out of big blue getting their first championship in 30 years recently. He will be missed by all.
By Joey Marchant
The Dodge County Indians may finally be hitting their stride. A week after shutting out Monticello, the Indians blanked Lamar County by a score of 38-0. You have to go back to 2007 to find Dodge recording consecutive shutouts. The 2007 team under the leadership of Coach Greg Robinson recorded five consecutive shutouts. Let’s be honest. Monticello and Lamar County are two of the weakest teams in Region 3AA this year. However, it is impressive any time you can shut out your opponent.
Tyrese Johnson took the opening kickoff back 31 yards to the Dodge 36 yard line. On the second play from scrimmage, Hunter Kirkley hit Johnson on a 39 yard pass play to the Lamar 22 yard line. The drive would ultimately stall, and Mason Mangham kicked a 25 yard field goal to give Dodge a 3-0 lead.
Lamar County fumbled on their second play from scrimmage, and Landynn Powers recovered the ball for Dodge at the Lamar 23 yard line. The Dodge Offense could not move, and Mangham missed a 44 yard field goal attempt. Lamar took possession of the ball, but Dodge forced a three and out. Kade Harpe fair caught the punt to give Dodge the ball at the Trojan 40 yard line. Harpe has done a good job of catching the football in the air and saving Dodge a great deal of yardage since being installed as the punt returner against Monticello. Dodge could not move the football giving up a sack on third down. Mangham got off a 46 yard punt, which Keldrick Beck downed at the Lamar County 1 yard line.
Dodge again forced a three and out, and Harpe fair caught the ball at the Trojan 40 yard line. Daylon Gordon had a 22 yard run. Later Kirkley hit Jalon Jaynes with a 23 yard touchdown pass. Jaynes caught the ball on a wide receiver screen and made the first defender miss. He then found a wall of blockers in Cameron Gooch, Jared Frost and Clay Lee. Jaynes outran the Trojans to the front pylon for the score. Mangham nailed the extra point, and Dodge led 10-0 in the second quarter. The teams then traded punts with Mangham angling one out of bounds at the Trojan 17 yard line.
Lamar was finally able to convert a first down, but soon faced a fourth and two yards to go. The Trojans lined up for the punt but instead snapped the ball to an up back who was immediately tackled by Noah Cummings a yard short of the first down. The official quickly signaled Dodge football, and the chains were moved and reset. Lamar’s head coach then demanded a measurement. The officials huddled and debated amongst themselves. Twice it looked like they would bring out the chains for a measurement. However, eventually the officials came to the same conclusion as the Dodge sideline and fans. You cannot go back and measure after moving the chains.
Dodge took over at the Trojan 31 yard line. After a couple of negative plays, Kirkley handed to Carr who ran 33 yards for a touchdown. Carr lined up as a slot receiver and took the handoff on a sweep left, but he found a crease and cut up field near the left hash mark outrunning everyone to the endzone. Mangham split the uprights on the extra point, and Dodge led 17-0.
Lamar would return the ensuing kickoff to its own 41 yard line and have its best scoring opportunity of the game. After allowing the Trojans to reach the Dodge 15 yard line, the Dodge Defense stiffened. Gordon, Cummings and Monterrius George all converged on the quarterback to sack him back on the 22 yard line, and the clock ran out on the first half with Dodge leading 17-0.
Lamar received to start the second half and came out in a tight formation unlike the spread they would run for most of the game. The change in formation may have thrown the Indians off briefly. Lamar pounded out 3 first downs and reached the Dodge 32 yard line where they faced third down. The Trojan quarterback faked a handoff and rolled left where his pass was intercepted by a leaping Lamarie Mitchell. Another receiver had broken open on a deeper route, but Gordon pressured the quarterback resulting in the shorter pass.
After having been bottled up for most of the night, Gordon would go to work on offense. He had carries of 2 yards and 6 yards before breaking a 58 yard touchdown run. Mangham’s extra point made the score 24-0 Dodge.
A Lamar County penalty assessed on the kickoff allowed Mangham to squib it deep into Trojan territory where the returner stepped out of bounds inside the 10 yard line. The Dodge Defense swarmed to the football forcing a three and out. Harpe fair caught the punt at the Trojan 46 yard line, and a Trojan penalty put the ball at the Trojan 31 yard line. Kirkley hit Beck in the endzone for a 31 yard touchdown pass. Mangham’s extra point made it 31-0 Dodge.
Lamar’s next possession ended when Cameron Mills tipped a pass that was intercepted by Sherman Clay. Dodge could not take advantage of the interception, but Mitchell later blocked a Trojan punt and returned it 26 yards for a touchdown. Mangham’s extra point made the final score Dodge County 38 Lamar 0.
Dodge improves to 3-3 overall and 2-1 in Region play. This sets up a huge home game with Northeast Macon on Friday November 6th at 7:30 pm. Northeast defeated Bleckley County on Thursday night by a score of 37-34. This is the best Northeast team in years. They throw the ball around and score a ton of points. The Raiders are also much improved in the trenches.
The Region 3AA playoff picture is starting to take shape. Southeast Macon, Monticello and Lamar County have all but been mathematically eliminated. This leaves Northeast, Bleckley County, Dodge County and Washington County vying for playoff position. Either team could win the Region at this point. Northeast is currently undefeated in Region play, controls its own destiny and could lock up a Region Championship with a win over Dodge. Northeast has already defeated Washington County and Bleckley County. Washington County and Bleckley County also play this week, so we will know much more about the playoffs on Saturday morning.
Dodge will celebrate Senior Night before the Northeast game, so come out early to honor Senior football players, band members, cheer leaders and ROTC Cadets.
Flag football team sweeps Wildcats, 21-0
By Amy Mullis
On Monday, November 2, the Dodge County High School girls’ flag football team travelled to Locust Grove and earned their third victory of the season with a 21-0 defeat over the Wildcats.
“We have played well and are learning a lot,” said coach Clint Sanders. “The season has been a season of firsts for Dodge County Girls Flag Football.”
Among those are Ileisha Mitchell scoring the first touchdown for girls’ flag football with a 53-yard run and Sydney Powell catching the first ever touchdown pass thrown by Logan White to win the team’s third game in the fourth overtime.
A first achieved in this week’s game was sophomore Elizabeth Sanders pulling the Locust Grove quarterback’s flag in the end zone for the first ever safety.
The junior varsity team also played in Locust Grove Monday night but suffered a tough 2-6 loss.
“We have a big area game against Portal High School next Tuesday,” Sanders said. “We need to keep working hard and continue to improve each week.”
BY RUSS RAGAN
I guess there is good news and bad news this week on the sports scene. The good first, Georgia beat Kentucky 14-2 on the road to set up a top ten showdown against Florida. I guess it’s good news that the Falcons beat Carolina 25-17, but it does hurt the team’s draft next year. The Braves may be looking at an old top prospect to come back for the rotation. Also, on a sad note, we lost a local legend on our own scene.
Let’s start on the college scene as the Dogs used a strong running game and a strong defense to beat Kentucky 14-3. The running game was led by red shirt sophomore Zaneir “Zeus” White, as he had 26 carries for 136 yards, both career highs. The defense was led by Richard Lecoute, who had 13 tackles. Now, for the bad news, Stetson Bennett was not good on six more. He had another pair of interceptions to go with his three a game ago against Alabama. I just don’t see the Dogs beating Florida with him in the game. I hope I am wrong. On a note that may be worse defensive standout Lecente is out for several weeks due to a motorcycle injury that he got Saturday night in Athens. Things aren’t adding up good for the weekend in Jacksonville.
The Falcons won their second game of the year both on the road as they got a 25-17 win at Carolina. They did nothing special, as Matt Ryan threw no touchdowns for the third time this year. He did run for one though. Julio Jones had a strong game with 137 yards. The defense did have three sacks and an interception so that’s not bad. It does hurt the draft position. They have a very winnable game this week, their last, against Denver.
Remember, talking about the needed veteran-starting pitcher for the Braves?
They are reportedly after one and it’s their former top prospect Adam Wainwrights. The 39-year-old Brunswick native was the Braves number one pick in the 2000 draft. He was traded to St. Louis for J.D. Drew. The Braves got a great year out of Drew but he left as a free agent. He would be a good pickup for the Braves, but it will be hard to get him away from the Cardinals.
We have to end things on a sad note this week. Recreation department legend James “Red” Roland died over the weekend. Red was a part of the Dodge sports scene for decades. He was a fixture at the recreation department and was a ball boy for the Indian’s football team for many years. He was a fixture on the softball scene for many years. Roland was also the biggest, and only, Dodger fan I knew. I hope he got some joy out of big blue getting their first championship in 30 years recently. He will be missed by all.
SPORTS
By Joey Marchant
Indians use smothering defense to defeat Hurricans, 58-0
Dodge County used a smothering defense and a big play offense to defeat the Monticello Hurricanes by a score of 58-0. Dodge was led onto the field by students Jeremiah Jackson, Anthony Jones, and Rashad Grace. Dodge won the toss and elected to receive. After a short kickoff and return by Tyrese Johnson, Daylon Gordon and Mikhail Carr went to work for Dodge out of the shotgun from the Dodge 37 yard line. Gordon ran through the tackle of a linebacker and around left end for a gain of 35 yards to the Monticello 28 yard. Carr ran right for 6 yards, and Gordon ran left for 11 yards. Then Carr ran right for 11 yards and a touchdown. The extra point was no good. Dodge missed its long snapper Braylon Mincey who was lost to quarantine but will return next week. That is a job that is sometimes taken for granted until the primary guy is not in there, and it throws everyone off. Dodge led 6-0.
The Dodge defense was composed mostly of sophomores and juniors. Monticello completed a 6-yard pass in front of the defense, but Landynn Powers dropped the quarterback for a loss on third down forcing a three and out. The snap sailed over the head of the punter and into the end zone where he recovered it for a safety. Dodge led 8-0.
Lamarie Mitchell fielded a short kickoff after the safety and returned it 9 yards to the Monticello 39 yard line. Hunter Kirkley entered at quarterback, and Dodge attempted to throw the football. The result was a three and out, and Mason Mangham got off a 45 yard punt, which was fielded and returned to the Monticello 11 yard line. Dodge forced a three and out, and Kade Harpe fielded a good punt over his shoulder returning it 6 yards to the Dodge 48 yard line.
Carr came back in to take the snap and rushed for 19 yards. Carr handed to Keldrick Beck who gained 4 yards on a jet sweep. Gordon had a run of 5 yards and then an 8-yard gain in which he ran over the middle linebacker. Penalties halted the drive, and on third and long, Dodge had a beautiful screen pass set up but threw to the wrong side of the field forcing a Mangham punt that sailed into the end zone.
Jackson Bowen blitzed on first down and dropped the running back for a 1-yard loss. Reco Caines tackled the running back for no gain on second down. Monticello completed a short pass on third down, but Mitchell and Harpe combined on the tackle to force a punt.
Harpe fielded the punt on one bounce and returned it 20 yards, but Dodge was penalized for a blind side block and the ball brought back to the Dodge 42 yard line. Gordon rushed for gains of 4 yards and 17 yards to the Monticello 32 yard line. Carr took a direct snap and ran around left end for a 32 yard touchdown getting a late block from Noah Cummings on the last defender to have a shot at Carr. Beck threw to Kevin Sykes, Jr. in the corner of the end zone for the two-point conversion. Dodge led 16-0.
Mangham kicked the ball into the end zone for a touchback, and Dodge forced a three and out. The Monticello punt rolled dead at the Hurricane 42 yard line. Gordon would need only two plays to score as he rushed for 5 yards and then 37 yards for a touchdown. The snap on the extra point attempt sailed almost behind Harpe but he alertly picked it up and hit Beck in the corner of the end zone for two points. Dodge led 24-0.
A penalty on the kickoff would back the Hurricanes up deep in their own territory. Dodge would force another three and out getting the ball back in good field position. Kirkley hit Beck for a gain of 16 yards. Then Gordon took a handoff and rushed 31 yards for a touchdown running over two defenders in the process on what would end up as the Recruit Georgia Play of the Week. Mangham split the uprights and Dodge led 31-0.
Monticello was able to execute a long pass featuring a double move by a receiver on its next possession. Although initially biting on the double move, Demron Gordon never gave up and tackled the receiver around the Dodge 10 yard line. The Dodge Defense would hold, and Carr would intercept a pass and return it 97 yards for a touchdown. The snap on the extra point was on the ground, and Harpe could not scoop it. Dodge led 37-0.
Dodge intentionally squibbed the kickoff and produced another three an out. Harpe fair caught the punt on the Hurricane 49 yard line. Kirkley completed a 10-yard pass to Noah Cummings and a 39 yard touchdown pass to Johnson. Mangham drilled the extra point, and Dodge led 44-0.
Another squib kick and three and out had Monticello punting deep in their own territory. The punter could not handle a high snap cleanly, and Johnson tackled him on the Hurricane 12 yard line. Beck ran for 5 yards. Cummings came in at quarterback and ran two quarterback power plays to punch it into the end zone for another Dodge score. Mangham split the uprights, and Dodge led 51-0. Mercifully, the half came to an end for Monticello.
Because of the lopsided score, the clock by rule would run for most of the second half. Johnson would add a 42-yard interception return in the third quarter. Mangham split the uprights, and Dodge led 58-0. Dodge would turn the game over to its junior varsity offense and defense that would preserve the shutout and the 58-0 victory. Dodge improved to 2-3 and will travel to Barnesville to face the Lamar County Trojans this Friday night in another important Region 3AA matchup. Lamar is 3-4 on the season and coming off a 30-0 loss to Bleckley County.
By Russ Ragan
Lady Indians season ends in first round of state tournament
The Dodge High Lady Indians softball team played Jeff Davis County in the opening round of the AA state tournament. The best of three series was a big time battle. The series had a little bit of everything. There was a pair of walk off wins, one by each team. There was also controversy. However, it didn’t have an effect in the game wins. In the end it would be the Lady Jackets that would win the third and deciding game 3-2 to advance to the second round.
The opening game of the series would go to Jeff Davis. They would get four runs in the first inning. Three runs in the inning would be unearned against Brooke Perdue. Perdue would have strong innings in the second and third to keep the game at 4-0.
Dodge would get on the board in the fourth. Gracie Lewis would walk with two outs and score on a double to right center by Bailey Harvey for a 4-1 game. The Lady Indians would get closer in the fifth. Ava Maxwell would get a one out single; Logan White would double to left center with two outs to score Maxwell for a 4-2 game. Jeff Davis would add a run in the fifth for a 5-2 lead and that would be the final.
Dodge would be the home team in game two. Linzy Bowen would get the start for the Lady Indians. The Lady (Continued from Page 1B)
Jackets would get the early lead with a first inning run. Bowen would have an easy second inning that included a strikeout. The Lady Jackets added a run in the third to take the lead to 2-0.
Dodge would get on the board in the third. Maxwell would single to lead off and would score on a double from Ava Roland for a 2-1 game. Bowen would have a scoreless fourth that included her second strikeout.
The game remained 2-1 going to the bottom of the fifth. Dodge would tie the game as Mikaya Roberson would single home Ava Maxwell for a 2-2 game. Gracie Lewis would follow up with a single scoring Logan White and Dodge took their first lead in the series 3-2 after the fifth.
The Lady Jackets would take the lead back in the sixth. They scored three with two outs to take a 5-3 lead. The Lady Indians would battle back in there half of the sixth. The big hit would come from Ava Roland with the bases loaded and two outs. She would single hard to left. Ava Maxwell and Bowen to tie things up at 5-5 going into the seventh.
The Lady Jackets would retake the lead in this back and forth game. Dodge came to bat trailing 6-5 with their season on the line. Gracie Lewis led off with a deep double to left. Bailey Harvey would single putting the winning run on base. Dylana Barton would walk start things off for Dodge as she hit a double over the left fielders head. Jessica Joiner who was running for Lewis scored easily to tie it and Harvey came flying home with the game winner and a 7+6 final to force a third and deciding game.
The Lady Jackets took the early lead in the first for a 1-0 game. Brooke Perdue got the start on the mound for Dodge. The game remained 1-0 through three innings with a pair of strikeouts.
Remember in my opening that controversy was included? It came with one out in the Dodge fourth. Makiyah Roberson hit a deep drive to center; the ball hit the top of the fence and came back to the field of play. The question is was the ball tipped back by Jeff Davis or Davis fans? After some discussion, it was ruled a double and Roberson stayed at second. From the dugout, there was no way to tell if the ball was touched or not. It wouldn’t matter as Perdue helped herself with a single to tie the game at 1-1.
The Lady Jackets would take the lead in the fifth on a two out homer for a 2-1 game. It would stay 2-1 going to the Dodge seventh Bailey Harvey would single and go to second on an error with the tying run. For the second night in a row it would Dylana Barton with a deep double to left scoring Harvey for a 2-2 game.
Unfortunately, for Dodge, the Lady Jackets have the last bat in this one. They would walk this one off for a 3-2 final.
By Russ Ragan
This week was kind of quiet in Georgia. The Braves were done and the Bulldogs were off. Then there are the Falcons. They snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in a 23-22 loss to Stafford. Swift and the Lions. I will also wrap up the Braves and what I think they need to improve next year.
Let’s start with the Falcons. They are bad, really bad. For the third time this season, they blew a fourth quarter lead. This was a bad game all the way. The officials were mediocre at best, the coaching was just so so and the timing on things in the clutch was horrible as usual. Todd Gurley scored an “accidental” touchdown in the final minute to give the Falcons the lead but the Lions would have one more chance and you know the rest. Gurley tried not to score but he fell in the end zone. The Falcons could have run down the clock and kicked a field goal on the final play.
Oh well, they will try again early next week against Carolina on Thursday night football.
Okay, it’s time to talk about the Braves. Was the short 60 game season a good one? Yes, and they won two playoff series. Did they choke against the Dodgers in the league championship series? Well, sort of but they weren’t put in a good position despite a 3-1 lead in the series.
I am still not happy that they had no starter for game five. I know that Soroka was hurt and that Cole Hanes only threw two innings. There was no secret at the trade deadline and they got Tommy McClure and we all remember he was awful. They didn’t need a blockbuster, but a veteran that could eat some innings.
Back to the series, did the Braves not cash in on several chances? Especially the last three games? Yes, this team was built for the long ball and they couldn’t cash in with small ball. The base running in game 7 was real bad as well. So did the Braves really choke against the Dodgers? That’s one that is tough to answer.
So now that we are in the off season, how do the Braves get better? The first huge question is will there be the designated hitter in the national league? We should know shortly after the world series.
Personally, I think it will return in 2021, so can the Braves bring Ozuna back? He was great for team chemistry and when he was hot he can put the team on his back. He isn’t a good outfielder so if the DH isn’t back there are no chance returns but maybe a three-year deal worth 65 million brings him back. The next question is who will be the starting pitcher pick up in the off-season? We know that Fried and Anderson will be good. Hopefully Soroka will be ready to start the season. Okay, let me say these are not rumors at all. Just my humble opinion. How about Marcus Striven? He is a free agent and he is coming off of a so so year with the Mets. He has Toronto connection with Anthropolis from Toronto. Also, how about Carlos Quintana from the Cubs? When he is good he is very good. None of these guys are free agents this year. I would take either on a one year “prove it” deal.
Keep in mind that some money will come off the books. Hanels will be gone. So, that’s 18 million. Also, Malancon and Green will be free agents, but I will think they will try to bring them back. Anyway, the first big decision will be the DH return. Things will go from there.
Indians use smothering defense to defeat Hurricans, 58-0
Dodge County used a smothering defense and a big play offense to defeat the Monticello Hurricanes by a score of 58-0. Dodge was led onto the field by students Jeremiah Jackson, Anthony Jones, and Rashad Grace. Dodge won the toss and elected to receive. After a short kickoff and return by Tyrese Johnson, Daylon Gordon and Mikhail Carr went to work for Dodge out of the shotgun from the Dodge 37 yard line. Gordon ran through the tackle of a linebacker and around left end for a gain of 35 yards to the Monticello 28 yard. Carr ran right for 6 yards, and Gordon ran left for 11 yards. Then Carr ran right for 11 yards and a touchdown. The extra point was no good. Dodge missed its long snapper Braylon Mincey who was lost to quarantine but will return next week. That is a job that is sometimes taken for granted until the primary guy is not in there, and it throws everyone off. Dodge led 6-0.
The Dodge defense was composed mostly of sophomores and juniors. Monticello completed a 6-yard pass in front of the defense, but Landynn Powers dropped the quarterback for a loss on third down forcing a three and out. The snap sailed over the head of the punter and into the end zone where he recovered it for a safety. Dodge led 8-0.
Lamarie Mitchell fielded a short kickoff after the safety and returned it 9 yards to the Monticello 39 yard line. Hunter Kirkley entered at quarterback, and Dodge attempted to throw the football. The result was a three and out, and Mason Mangham got off a 45 yard punt, which was fielded and returned to the Monticello 11 yard line. Dodge forced a three and out, and Kade Harpe fielded a good punt over his shoulder returning it 6 yards to the Dodge 48 yard line.
Carr came back in to take the snap and rushed for 19 yards. Carr handed to Keldrick Beck who gained 4 yards on a jet sweep. Gordon had a run of 5 yards and then an 8-yard gain in which he ran over the middle linebacker. Penalties halted the drive, and on third and long, Dodge had a beautiful screen pass set up but threw to the wrong side of the field forcing a Mangham punt that sailed into the end zone.
Jackson Bowen blitzed on first down and dropped the running back for a 1-yard loss. Reco Caines tackled the running back for no gain on second down. Monticello completed a short pass on third down, but Mitchell and Harpe combined on the tackle to force a punt.
Harpe fielded the punt on one bounce and returned it 20 yards, but Dodge was penalized for a blind side block and the ball brought back to the Dodge 42 yard line. Gordon rushed for gains of 4 yards and 17 yards to the Monticello 32 yard line. Carr took a direct snap and ran around left end for a 32 yard touchdown getting a late block from Noah Cummings on the last defender to have a shot at Carr. Beck threw to Kevin Sykes, Jr. in the corner of the end zone for the two-point conversion. Dodge led 16-0.
Mangham kicked the ball into the end zone for a touchback, and Dodge forced a three and out. The Monticello punt rolled dead at the Hurricane 42 yard line. Gordon would need only two plays to score as he rushed for 5 yards and then 37 yards for a touchdown. The snap on the extra point attempt sailed almost behind Harpe but he alertly picked it up and hit Beck in the corner of the end zone for two points. Dodge led 24-0.
A penalty on the kickoff would back the Hurricanes up deep in their own territory. Dodge would force another three and out getting the ball back in good field position. Kirkley hit Beck for a gain of 16 yards. Then Gordon took a handoff and rushed 31 yards for a touchdown running over two defenders in the process on what would end up as the Recruit Georgia Play of the Week. Mangham split the uprights and Dodge led 31-0.
Monticello was able to execute a long pass featuring a double move by a receiver on its next possession. Although initially biting on the double move, Demron Gordon never gave up and tackled the receiver around the Dodge 10 yard line. The Dodge Defense would hold, and Carr would intercept a pass and return it 97 yards for a touchdown. The snap on the extra point was on the ground, and Harpe could not scoop it. Dodge led 37-0.
Dodge intentionally squibbed the kickoff and produced another three an out. Harpe fair caught the punt on the Hurricane 49 yard line. Kirkley completed a 10-yard pass to Noah Cummings and a 39 yard touchdown pass to Johnson. Mangham drilled the extra point, and Dodge led 44-0.
Another squib kick and three and out had Monticello punting deep in their own territory. The punter could not handle a high snap cleanly, and Johnson tackled him on the Hurricane 12 yard line. Beck ran for 5 yards. Cummings came in at quarterback and ran two quarterback power plays to punch it into the end zone for another Dodge score. Mangham split the uprights, and Dodge led 51-0. Mercifully, the half came to an end for Monticello.
Because of the lopsided score, the clock by rule would run for most of the second half. Johnson would add a 42-yard interception return in the third quarter. Mangham split the uprights, and Dodge led 58-0. Dodge would turn the game over to its junior varsity offense and defense that would preserve the shutout and the 58-0 victory. Dodge improved to 2-3 and will travel to Barnesville to face the Lamar County Trojans this Friday night in another important Region 3AA matchup. Lamar is 3-4 on the season and coming off a 30-0 loss to Bleckley County.
By Russ Ragan
Lady Indians season ends in first round of state tournament
The Dodge High Lady Indians softball team played Jeff Davis County in the opening round of the AA state tournament. The best of three series was a big time battle. The series had a little bit of everything. There was a pair of walk off wins, one by each team. There was also controversy. However, it didn’t have an effect in the game wins. In the end it would be the Lady Jackets that would win the third and deciding game 3-2 to advance to the second round.
The opening game of the series would go to Jeff Davis. They would get four runs in the first inning. Three runs in the inning would be unearned against Brooke Perdue. Perdue would have strong innings in the second and third to keep the game at 4-0.
Dodge would get on the board in the fourth. Gracie Lewis would walk with two outs and score on a double to right center by Bailey Harvey for a 4-1 game. The Lady Indians would get closer in the fifth. Ava Maxwell would get a one out single; Logan White would double to left center with two outs to score Maxwell for a 4-2 game. Jeff Davis would add a run in the fifth for a 5-2 lead and that would be the final.
Dodge would be the home team in game two. Linzy Bowen would get the start for the Lady Indians. The Lady (Continued from Page 1B)
Jackets would get the early lead with a first inning run. Bowen would have an easy second inning that included a strikeout. The Lady Jackets added a run in the third to take the lead to 2-0.
Dodge would get on the board in the third. Maxwell would single to lead off and would score on a double from Ava Roland for a 2-1 game. Bowen would have a scoreless fourth that included her second strikeout.
The game remained 2-1 going to the bottom of the fifth. Dodge would tie the game as Mikaya Roberson would single home Ava Maxwell for a 2-2 game. Gracie Lewis would follow up with a single scoring Logan White and Dodge took their first lead in the series 3-2 after the fifth.
The Lady Jackets would take the lead back in the sixth. They scored three with two outs to take a 5-3 lead. The Lady Indians would battle back in there half of the sixth. The big hit would come from Ava Roland with the bases loaded and two outs. She would single hard to left. Ava Maxwell and Bowen to tie things up at 5-5 going into the seventh.
The Lady Jackets would retake the lead in this back and forth game. Dodge came to bat trailing 6-5 with their season on the line. Gracie Lewis led off with a deep double to left. Bailey Harvey would single putting the winning run on base. Dylana Barton would walk start things off for Dodge as she hit a double over the left fielders head. Jessica Joiner who was running for Lewis scored easily to tie it and Harvey came flying home with the game winner and a 7+6 final to force a third and deciding game.
The Lady Jackets took the early lead in the first for a 1-0 game. Brooke Perdue got the start on the mound for Dodge. The game remained 1-0 through three innings with a pair of strikeouts.
Remember in my opening that controversy was included? It came with one out in the Dodge fourth. Makiyah Roberson hit a deep drive to center; the ball hit the top of the fence and came back to the field of play. The question is was the ball tipped back by Jeff Davis or Davis fans? After some discussion, it was ruled a double and Roberson stayed at second. From the dugout, there was no way to tell if the ball was touched or not. It wouldn’t matter as Perdue helped herself with a single to tie the game at 1-1.
The Lady Jackets would take the lead in the fifth on a two out homer for a 2-1 game. It would stay 2-1 going to the Dodge seventh Bailey Harvey would single and go to second on an error with the tying run. For the second night in a row it would Dylana Barton with a deep double to left scoring Harvey for a 2-2 game.
Unfortunately, for Dodge, the Lady Jackets have the last bat in this one. They would walk this one off for a 3-2 final.
By Russ Ragan
This week was kind of quiet in Georgia. The Braves were done and the Bulldogs were off. Then there are the Falcons. They snatched defeat from the jaws of victory in a 23-22 loss to Stafford. Swift and the Lions. I will also wrap up the Braves and what I think they need to improve next year.
Let’s start with the Falcons. They are bad, really bad. For the third time this season, they blew a fourth quarter lead. This was a bad game all the way. The officials were mediocre at best, the coaching was just so so and the timing on things in the clutch was horrible as usual. Todd Gurley scored an “accidental” touchdown in the final minute to give the Falcons the lead but the Lions would have one more chance and you know the rest. Gurley tried not to score but he fell in the end zone. The Falcons could have run down the clock and kicked a field goal on the final play.
Oh well, they will try again early next week against Carolina on Thursday night football.
Okay, it’s time to talk about the Braves. Was the short 60 game season a good one? Yes, and they won two playoff series. Did they choke against the Dodgers in the league championship series? Well, sort of but they weren’t put in a good position despite a 3-1 lead in the series.
I am still not happy that they had no starter for game five. I know that Soroka was hurt and that Cole Hanes only threw two innings. There was no secret at the trade deadline and they got Tommy McClure and we all remember he was awful. They didn’t need a blockbuster, but a veteran that could eat some innings.
Back to the series, did the Braves not cash in on several chances? Especially the last three games? Yes, this team was built for the long ball and they couldn’t cash in with small ball. The base running in game 7 was real bad as well. So did the Braves really choke against the Dodgers? That’s one that is tough to answer.
So now that we are in the off season, how do the Braves get better? The first huge question is will there be the designated hitter in the national league? We should know shortly after the world series.
Personally, I think it will return in 2021, so can the Braves bring Ozuna back? He was great for team chemistry and when he was hot he can put the team on his back. He isn’t a good outfielder so if the DH isn’t back there are no chance returns but maybe a three-year deal worth 65 million brings him back. The next question is who will be the starting pitcher pick up in the off-season? We know that Fried and Anderson will be good. Hopefully Soroka will be ready to start the season. Okay, let me say these are not rumors at all. Just my humble opinion. How about Marcus Striven? He is a free agent and he is coming off of a so so year with the Mets. He has Toronto connection with Anthropolis from Toronto. Also, how about Carlos Quintana from the Cubs? When he is good he is very good. None of these guys are free agents this year. I would take either on a one year “prove it” deal.
Keep in mind that some money will come off the books. Hanels will be gone. So, that’s 18 million. Also, Malancon and Green will be free agents, but I will think they will try to bring them back. Anyway, the first big decision will be the DH return. Things will go from there.
SPORTS
By Russ Ragan
The Dodge High School Lady Indians wrapped up regular season play last Wednesday night in Bleckley County. Dodge played one of their most complete games of the season in a 14-2 blowout win over the Lady Royals.
Brooke Perdue got the start on the mound for the Lady Indians. She could have fewer strikeouts though through two innings but Dodge trailed 2-0. They wouldn’t trail very long.
Dodge got an infield hit from Bailey Harvey and a hit from Dylana Barton to lead off the third. Ava Maxwell would get a bunt down and a bad through would score Harvey for a 2-1 game. One out later, Logan White would single to center scoring Barton for a 2-2 game. Mikayla Roberson would hit a sacrifice fly to score Maxwell but the ball would be dropped and Dodge took a 3-2 lead.
The Lady Indians would increase the lead as Gracie Lewis singles to center scoring White and Carson Ethridge who ran for catcher Ava Roland for a 5-2 lead. Roberson would score to wrap up the six run inning for a 6-2 Dodge lead.
Perdue had a way easy three innings that included her fifth strikeout of the game. Dodge kept the bats going in the fourth. Maxwell would walk to lead off the fourth and she stole second and went to third on a wild pitch.
One out later, White singled her home for a 7-2 game. Gracie Lewis singled home White for an 8-2 lead. Perdue would follow by being hit with the bases loaded and Ethridge scored as she ran for Roland who singled for a 9-2 lead.
Barton would single and that would score Patillo who ran for Lewis and Perdue for an 11-2 lead. Dodge would take a 13-2 lead going to the fifth.
Dodge wrapped up the scoring in the fifth. Ava Roland would double with one out. Gracie Lewis would score her on a ground and the Dodge lead would be 14-2. Linzy Bowen would wrap things up with an easy fifth including a strikeout.
By Joey Marchant
The Dodge County Indians will host the Monticello Purple Hurricanes this Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in a Region 3AA matchup. Dodge had an off week last week, and several starters will be coming off another two week quarantine the day of the game after a single Dodge player tested positive for COVID-19.
It is anyone’s guess what kind of game we will see out of Dodge. The Indians are 1-3 on the season with the three losses all coming by less than a touchdown and all following quarantines or short weeks.
Monticello has been playing football since 1926. Confusion arose when a new school was built and given the name Jasper County High while the sports teams continued to play under the name Monticello.
To make things more confusing, during the most recent reclassification, Monticello’s enrollment numbers were reported under the name Jasper County High. In December, the school board voted to ask the Georgia High School Association to refer to its teams in the future as “Jasper County, Monticello”.
This will be the first game between Dodge County High and Monticello. However, Monticello won five out of six games against the Eastman High Wildcats from 1950 to 1955.
The lone Eastman High victory came in 1950 under the leadership of head coach Arthur “Scooter” Yancey.
Monticello is 2-4 on the season with a record of 1-1 in Region 3AA. Both teams are coming off losses to Bleckley County. Please come out and support the Indians.
BY RUSS RAGAN
This week has had it all. Unfortunately, most of it hasn’t been so good but it hopefully will improve drastically as the column continues. This column is being done during game seven of the Dodgers-Braves. Atlanta had a 3-2 lead going to the Dodgers fourth.
Okay, it was hyped as the biggest college football game of the year as the Dogs headed to Alabama. For a half it was a great game. Bennett hit Cook for an 82-yard touchdown pass and Georgia took a 24-20 lead at the half.
Most really good teams make adjustments at the half and Alabama is a really good team. They picked off Bennett twice in the second half and the game was gone in a 41-24 loss. Bane scored three touchdowns on three drives right after the three interceptions. The Tide seem to make adjustments both on offense and defense, well for Georgia not so much. Then great defense was broken in the second half.
The Braves got out of a bases loaded jam and still led 3-2 going into the fifth. Okay, back to the Dogs, what is next for them? Well, this week is a good off week. It came about in complicated changes that called off the Florida-LSU game.
The biggest problem for Georgia is the offense. The Stetson Bennett IV story is really a great one. He went from walk on to eventually Bulldog starter but it’s time for a change. J.T. Daniels is ready to go and the time is now. He was seen on the sideline Saturday night without his knee brace. I think Bennett could lead the dogs to an 8-2 record as they probably lose to Florida. It’s time to start Daniels. He was the third ranked quarterback out of a high school behind Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields. The good news for Georgia is they only dropped to fourth in the new polls. They have to win out to stay in the national picture. It won’t be easy but I think very doable.
The Falcons’ offense is a very good one, but they have struggled recently but Sunday they were back. In Raheem Morris’ debut as interim head coach they were really good in a 40-23 win over Minnesota. Matt Ryan came back after a pair of real stinkers with a really good game. He was 30 for 40 for 371 yards and four touchdowns and no interceptions. Update; Braves just lost the lead, it’s now 3-3 in the sixth. They should have scored at least three in the third. Anyway, I knew the Falcons weren’t as bad as they have been playing. Julio Jones came back from a hamstring injury and had eight catches for 137 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Birds have Detroit and Carolina the next two weeks and they are both really winnable so we will see.
Okay, I will stay somewhat from the Braves for now. I didn’t expect them to beat the Dodgers but I do have a big issue. The game five issue is totally inexcusable. You can’t run out of pitchers. To start in game five of the NCCS. There was no secret run out of pitchers to start in game five of the NCCS. There was no secret they needed another starting pitcher at the trade deadline. The lack of off days in the series really hurt this team. Anthropolis really has to take a big chunk of the loss of the series. Anyway, this team over achieved until clutch time in the final two games. This series should have been one. The bullpen was give out in the end. I am sure I will have plenty more to say on another Braves meltdown series.
The Dodge High School Lady Indians wrapped up regular season play last Wednesday night in Bleckley County. Dodge played one of their most complete games of the season in a 14-2 blowout win over the Lady Royals.
Brooke Perdue got the start on the mound for the Lady Indians. She could have fewer strikeouts though through two innings but Dodge trailed 2-0. They wouldn’t trail very long.
Dodge got an infield hit from Bailey Harvey and a hit from Dylana Barton to lead off the third. Ava Maxwell would get a bunt down and a bad through would score Harvey for a 2-1 game. One out later, Logan White would single to center scoring Barton for a 2-2 game. Mikayla Roberson would hit a sacrifice fly to score Maxwell but the ball would be dropped and Dodge took a 3-2 lead.
The Lady Indians would increase the lead as Gracie Lewis singles to center scoring White and Carson Ethridge who ran for catcher Ava Roland for a 5-2 lead. Roberson would score to wrap up the six run inning for a 6-2 Dodge lead.
Perdue had a way easy three innings that included her fifth strikeout of the game. Dodge kept the bats going in the fourth. Maxwell would walk to lead off the fourth and she stole second and went to third on a wild pitch.
One out later, White singled her home for a 7-2 game. Gracie Lewis singled home White for an 8-2 lead. Perdue would follow by being hit with the bases loaded and Ethridge scored as she ran for Roland who singled for a 9-2 lead.
Barton would single and that would score Patillo who ran for Lewis and Perdue for an 11-2 lead. Dodge would take a 13-2 lead going to the fifth.
Dodge wrapped up the scoring in the fifth. Ava Roland would double with one out. Gracie Lewis would score her on a ground and the Dodge lead would be 14-2. Linzy Bowen would wrap things up with an easy fifth including a strikeout.
By Joey Marchant
The Dodge County Indians will host the Monticello Purple Hurricanes this Friday night at 7:30 p.m. in a Region 3AA matchup. Dodge had an off week last week, and several starters will be coming off another two week quarantine the day of the game after a single Dodge player tested positive for COVID-19.
It is anyone’s guess what kind of game we will see out of Dodge. The Indians are 1-3 on the season with the three losses all coming by less than a touchdown and all following quarantines or short weeks.
Monticello has been playing football since 1926. Confusion arose when a new school was built and given the name Jasper County High while the sports teams continued to play under the name Monticello.
To make things more confusing, during the most recent reclassification, Monticello’s enrollment numbers were reported under the name Jasper County High. In December, the school board voted to ask the Georgia High School Association to refer to its teams in the future as “Jasper County, Monticello”.
This will be the first game between Dodge County High and Monticello. However, Monticello won five out of six games against the Eastman High Wildcats from 1950 to 1955.
The lone Eastman High victory came in 1950 under the leadership of head coach Arthur “Scooter” Yancey.
Monticello is 2-4 on the season with a record of 1-1 in Region 3AA. Both teams are coming off losses to Bleckley County. Please come out and support the Indians.
BY RUSS RAGAN
This week has had it all. Unfortunately, most of it hasn’t been so good but it hopefully will improve drastically as the column continues. This column is being done during game seven of the Dodgers-Braves. Atlanta had a 3-2 lead going to the Dodgers fourth.
Okay, it was hyped as the biggest college football game of the year as the Dogs headed to Alabama. For a half it was a great game. Bennett hit Cook for an 82-yard touchdown pass and Georgia took a 24-20 lead at the half.
Most really good teams make adjustments at the half and Alabama is a really good team. They picked off Bennett twice in the second half and the game was gone in a 41-24 loss. Bane scored three touchdowns on three drives right after the three interceptions. The Tide seem to make adjustments both on offense and defense, well for Georgia not so much. Then great defense was broken in the second half.
The Braves got out of a bases loaded jam and still led 3-2 going into the fifth. Okay, back to the Dogs, what is next for them? Well, this week is a good off week. It came about in complicated changes that called off the Florida-LSU game.
The biggest problem for Georgia is the offense. The Stetson Bennett IV story is really a great one. He went from walk on to eventually Bulldog starter but it’s time for a change. J.T. Daniels is ready to go and the time is now. He was seen on the sideline Saturday night without his knee brace. I think Bennett could lead the dogs to an 8-2 record as they probably lose to Florida. It’s time to start Daniels. He was the third ranked quarterback out of a high school behind Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields. The good news for Georgia is they only dropped to fourth in the new polls. They have to win out to stay in the national picture. It won’t be easy but I think very doable.
The Falcons’ offense is a very good one, but they have struggled recently but Sunday they were back. In Raheem Morris’ debut as interim head coach they were really good in a 40-23 win over Minnesota. Matt Ryan came back after a pair of real stinkers with a really good game. He was 30 for 40 for 371 yards and four touchdowns and no interceptions. Update; Braves just lost the lead, it’s now 3-3 in the sixth. They should have scored at least three in the third. Anyway, I knew the Falcons weren’t as bad as they have been playing. Julio Jones came back from a hamstring injury and had eight catches for 137 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Birds have Detroit and Carolina the next two weeks and they are both really winnable so we will see.
Okay, I will stay somewhat from the Braves for now. I didn’t expect them to beat the Dodgers but I do have a big issue. The game five issue is totally inexcusable. You can’t run out of pitchers. To start in game five of the NCCS. There was no secret run out of pitchers to start in game five of the NCCS. There was no secret they needed another starting pitcher at the trade deadline. The lack of off days in the series really hurt this team. Anthropolis really has to take a big chunk of the loss of the series. Anyway, this team over achieved until clutch time in the final two games. This series should have been one. The bullpen was give out in the end. I am sure I will have plenty more to say on another Braves meltdown series.
SPORTS
By Russ Ragan
It was a rough week for the Dodge County High School Lady Indians softball team.
Last Monday, Dodge returned to play as they traveled to Lamar County. Dodge trailed big early and they would come back to take the lead but they would drop a 15-12 decision.
Tuesday, Dodge would recover for a 12-1 region win over Washington County. The Lady Indians would host Jasper County in the home finale. The game would be pitchers dual. Jasper would win a tough 4-1 game. Dodge will head to Bleckley County today (Wednesday) to wrap up regular season play.
Dodge would lead early in Lamar. The Lady Indians would be down 3-0 going to the second. Dodge would rally in the second to tie the game. A double from Gracie Lewis would score M.K. Roberson for a 3-1 game. Dodge would tie the game on back-to-back walks to Jessica Joiner and Amber Maxwell.
Lamar would charge back and take an 11-3 lead going into the fifth but Dodge would charge back. Roberson would double home Dylana Barton and Logan White for an 11-5 game. A double from Brooke Perdue and a sacrifice fly from Gracee Lewis made it an 11-6 game. Dodge would take the lead as Logan White hit a two run homer for a 12-11 game. The lead wouldn’t last as Lamar County would score four runs in the sixth to take a 15-12 lead and that would be the final.
Dodge returned to play on Tuesday as they headed to Sandersville to play Washington County. Linzy Bowen got the start for Dodge. The Lady Indians trailed 1-0 after a run in the first. Bowen would then take control. Bowen would have seven strikeouts in three perfect innings.
Dodge would come back in the fifth. Ava Maxwell and Dylana Barton reached on errors with two outs. A single from Logan White scored Maxwell and tied the game at 1-1. A double from Gracee Lewis scored Barton and White for a 3-1 game. M.K. Roberson scored courtesy runner Carson Ethridge for a 4-1 lead.
Bowen rolled right along with an easy fifth. Dodge would put things away in the sixth. Bowen got a one out single and stole second. Ava Roland would follow up with a long long homer to left center for a 6-1 game. Ava Maxwell would reach on an error and steal second. Dodge would play long ball once more, as Dylana Barton would go deep to left center and an 8-1 game. Dodge would get RBI’s from Perdue, Bailey Harvey and Bowen for a 12-1 lead.
Bowen would wrap up things in the bottom of the sixth as she struck out the side in the sixth. The senior allowed but two hits and one run in the first. She returned the final 16 batters in the game and she had 11 strikeouts.
Dodge hosted Jasper County in Thursday night’s home finale. Brooke Perdue got the start for Dodge. She worked around some trouble in the first and she had an easy second with a pair of strikeouts. Ava Roland lead off the Dodge County second with a walk. Carson Ethridge came in to run for the catcher. M.K. Roberson followed with a solid single to center. The ball got away from the centerfielder and Ethridge scored and Dodge took the lead 1-0. Jasper took the lead in the third on three unearned runs for a 3-1 lead. Perdue had three strikeouts in the inning.
Dodge would get a two out hit from Ava Roland in the fourth but that would be all. Perdue would work around three hits and she would have 8 strikeouts going into the seventh. Jasper would add another unearned run in the seventh to take a 4-1 lead.
Dodge would make a last rally in the home half of the seventh. Dodge would bring the tying run to the plate as White and Roberson would reach on errors. A pair of fly balls would end the rally and the game in a 4-1 loss for Dodge.
It was a rough week for the Dodge County High School Lady Indians softball team.
Last Monday, Dodge returned to play as they traveled to Lamar County. Dodge trailed big early and they would come back to take the lead but they would drop a 15-12 decision.
Tuesday, Dodge would recover for a 12-1 region win over Washington County. The Lady Indians would host Jasper County in the home finale. The game would be pitchers dual. Jasper would win a tough 4-1 game. Dodge will head to Bleckley County today (Wednesday) to wrap up regular season play.
Dodge would lead early in Lamar. The Lady Indians would be down 3-0 going to the second. Dodge would rally in the second to tie the game. A double from Gracie Lewis would score M.K. Roberson for a 3-1 game. Dodge would tie the game on back-to-back walks to Jessica Joiner and Amber Maxwell.
Lamar would charge back and take an 11-3 lead going into the fifth but Dodge would charge back. Roberson would double home Dylana Barton and Logan White for an 11-5 game. A double from Brooke Perdue and a sacrifice fly from Gracee Lewis made it an 11-6 game. Dodge would take the lead as Logan White hit a two run homer for a 12-11 game. The lead wouldn’t last as Lamar County would score four runs in the sixth to take a 15-12 lead and that would be the final.
Dodge returned to play on Tuesday as they headed to Sandersville to play Washington County. Linzy Bowen got the start for Dodge. The Lady Indians trailed 1-0 after a run in the first. Bowen would then take control. Bowen would have seven strikeouts in three perfect innings.
Dodge would come back in the fifth. Ava Maxwell and Dylana Barton reached on errors with two outs. A single from Logan White scored Maxwell and tied the game at 1-1. A double from Gracee Lewis scored Barton and White for a 3-1 game. M.K. Roberson scored courtesy runner Carson Ethridge for a 4-1 lead.
Bowen rolled right along with an easy fifth. Dodge would put things away in the sixth. Bowen got a one out single and stole second. Ava Roland would follow up with a long long homer to left center for a 6-1 game. Ava Maxwell would reach on an error and steal second. Dodge would play long ball once more, as Dylana Barton would go deep to left center and an 8-1 game. Dodge would get RBI’s from Perdue, Bailey Harvey and Bowen for a 12-1 lead.
Bowen would wrap up things in the bottom of the sixth as she struck out the side in the sixth. The senior allowed but two hits and one run in the first. She returned the final 16 batters in the game and she had 11 strikeouts.
Dodge hosted Jasper County in Thursday night’s home finale. Brooke Perdue got the start for Dodge. She worked around some trouble in the first and she had an easy second with a pair of strikeouts. Ava Roland lead off the Dodge County second with a walk. Carson Ethridge came in to run for the catcher. M.K. Roberson followed with a solid single to center. The ball got away from the centerfielder and Ethridge scored and Dodge took the lead 1-0. Jasper took the lead in the third on three unearned runs for a 3-1 lead. Perdue had three strikeouts in the inning.
Dodge would get a two out hit from Ava Roland in the fourth but that would be all. Perdue would work around three hits and she would have 8 strikeouts going into the seventh. Jasper would add another unearned run in the seventh to take a 4-1 lead.
Dodge would make a last rally in the home half of the seventh. Dodge would bring the tying run to the plate as White and Roberson would reach on errors. A pair of fly balls would end the rally and the game in a 4-1 loss for Dodge.
SPORTS
Royals beat Indians, 38-33
By Joey Marchant
Dodge made the trip to Cochran for the second straight year due to region realignment. The game was moved up to Thursday night due to weather concerns. Dodge came into this one with a full roster and no one under COVID-19 quarantine. However, they were playing on four days rest due to having played the previous Saturday. As we have come to expect from the Dodge-Bleckley Rivalry, this game had a little bit of everything. There were big plays, controversy, huge swings in momentum, turnovers, trick plays, stoppages in play, a special teams touchdown, an ejection and a safety.
Bleckley won the toss and deferred to the second half. After the first kickoff went out of bounds, Coach Cofer declined the opportunity to take the ball at the Dodge 35 yard line showing supreme confidence in his return team. Ultimately, Keldrick Beck was stopped at the Dodge 22 yard line on the second kick. Mikhail Carr started behind center and took the first snap on a quarterback sweep right for 20 yards as he followed Daylon Gordon and tight roped the sideline. Gordon then carried for 6 yards, but Carr was stopped for no gain bringing up third down. Hunter Kirkley entered the ballgame at quarterback and threw a pass that sailed through the hands of Beck on the sideline. Mason Mangham came in to punt and had to deal with a high snap that veered right. Mangham did a great job of fielding the ball and getting the ball away, which landed on the Bleckley 32 yard line and just sat there. It doesn’t help Mangham’s stat line, but it was a big play to get it off cleanly. The Dodge Defense forced a three and out.
Dodge took possession at its 33 yard line after the punt. Kirkley hit Beck with a 2 yard pass. Then Dodge ran the counter play to Gordon who took it 65 yards down the sideline for the touchdown. Dodge pulled Jared Frost and Clay Lee on the play, but more than anything, Gordon just outran everyone to the end zone. Beck ran the conversion in for two points to give Dodge an 8-0 lead.
Mangham attempted a high pooch kick but put a little too much on it as the kick sailed out of bounds and Bleckley took possession at its 35 yard line. The Royals completed a slant route, and Dodge missed a tackle that led to a 41 yard gain to the Dodge 24 yard line. The Dodge Defense stiffened inside the 10 yard line. Beck broke up a pass in the end zone that was almost intercepted. However, Bleckley punched it in on fourth down from the 1 yard line. Cameron Mils stood up the Royal receiver at the goal line on the two point attempt, and Dodge led 8-6.
The ensuing kickoff was fielded by Beck who ran untouched up the middle behind a wedge of Dodge blockers for an 84 yard touchdown. Dodge was flagged for excessive celebration, which was enforced on the extra point attempt. Mangham’s attempt was no good. Dodge led 14-6.
Good kickoff coverage by Dodge and a block below the waist by the Royals would back Bleckley up to its own 10 yard line. Bleckley broke off a 39 yard run on first down to get the ball near midfield. The Dodge Defense would stiffen and force a punt. Beck made the mistake of trying to do too much and field the ball in traffic. The ball bounced off his shoulder pad, and Bleckley recovered the fumble at the Dodge 19 yard line. Bleckley scored a touchdown on the very next play. On the two point attempt, Bleckley ran its version of the reverse pass made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl a few years ago. Mills intercepted the pass in the end zone to deny Bleckley points. Dodge led 14-12.
The Bleckley kickoff went out of bounds, and this time Dodge elected to take it at the 35 yard line. Kirkley hit Kevin Sykes, Jr. for a gain of 7 yards. However, a pass to Tyrese Johnson lost 2 yards, and Kirkley’s third down attempt to Sykes fell incomplete. Mangham got off a 49 yard punt that rolled dead at the Bleckley 11 yard line.
Bleckley used a long run and two defensive penalties against Dodge to drive to the Dodge 3 yard line. However, Gordon dropped the running back for a 3 yard loss, and Mills defended a pass in the end zone to force a field goal attempt. The field goal was good, and Bleckley led 15-14.
Jalon Jaynes caught a short kickoff and returned it to the Dodge 35 yard line. On third down, Kirkley hit Johnson with a 34 yard pass to the Bleckley 30 yard line. Johnson beat his man and managed to get one foot down in bounds. Later a fourth down pass to Johnson would fall incomplete in the end zone turning the ball over to the Royals.
The Dodge Defense forced a punt, and Dodge got the ball back on its 25 yard line. Kirkley hit Johnson on a 46 yard pass play to the Bleckley County 16 yard line. However, a fake field goal would fail and Dodge turned it over to Bleckley County. The Dodge Defense forced another three and out, and Dodge got the ball back at the Dodge 26 yard line.
Dodge moved the ball down the field with runs of 12 yards and 10 yards by Gordon. Kirkley hit Sykes for 5 yards and Johnson for 8 yards before throwing a 34 yard touchdown pass to Beck just before half. Mangham drilled the extra point, and Dodge led 21-15 at halftime.
The third quarter was a catastrophe for Dodge. Dodge had a player ejected for trading punches with a Bleckley County player. Bleckley scored touchdowns on three straight possessions while the Dodge Defense offered little resistance. Meanwhile the Dodge offense went three and out on its first two possessions of the first half. Bleckley led 36-21 when Daylon Gordon broke a 75 yard touchdown run around right end to cut the Bleckley lead to 36-27. A two point attempt resulted in Kirkley throwing to offensive tackle Landynn Powers who crossed the goal line for an apparent two point conversion. The referees twice signaled the attempt was successful as they discussed the play for several minutes. Eventually the referees got the call right and ruled illegal touching on the play as Powers was not an eligible receiver. The play was designed for Powers to give ground and catch a lateral from Kirkley, which would have allowed him to legally catch the football.
Bleckley would again drive inside the Dodge 10 yard line, but the Dodge Defense would hold and force a turnover on downs. Carr lined up at quarterback and ran for gains of 22 yards and 18 yards. Kirkley hit Beck for a gain of 12 yards and Gordon picked up 17 yards. Kirkley passed to Davis Marchant for 13 yards. Gordon would eventually score on a 15 yard run after running through a tackle on the goal line. Mangham’s extra point attempt was no good, and Bleckley led 36-33.
Bleckley would have a long drive to chew up clock before Gordon recovered a Bleckley fumble on the Dodge 22 yard line. However, Dodge could not move the ball. The punt snap went over Mangham’s head resulting in a safety and giving Bleckley a 38-33 lead. Dodge had to kickoff to Bleckley, and Mangham attempted an onside kick. However, Bleckley recovered on the Dodge 30 yard line, and it appeared the Royals would run out the clock.
However, the Dodge Defense held and forced a turnover on downs giving Dodge the ball with about a minute to play and no timeouts. On fourth down and fourteen yards to go, Carr took a shotgun snap from center and ran for 13 yards where he was tackled as he slipped trying to cut back effectively ending the game. Bleckley took a knee to run out the clock and preserve the 38-33 victory.
With less than five minutes to go, Noah Cummings collapsed on the sideline from what would later be diagnosed as extreme dehydration. He was carted off to a waiting ambulance. Numerous players, fans, and coaches showed up at the hospital to check on Noah. He received great treatment at Dodge County Hospital and was released in the early morning hours on Friday. He is doing well.
Dodge falls to 1-3 having lost all three games by six points or less. Dodge has a scheduled off week this week before hosting Jasper County High (also known as Monticello High) in a region game on October 23.
By Joey Marchant
Dodge made the trip to Cochran for the second straight year due to region realignment. The game was moved up to Thursday night due to weather concerns. Dodge came into this one with a full roster and no one under COVID-19 quarantine. However, they were playing on four days rest due to having played the previous Saturday. As we have come to expect from the Dodge-Bleckley Rivalry, this game had a little bit of everything. There were big plays, controversy, huge swings in momentum, turnovers, trick plays, stoppages in play, a special teams touchdown, an ejection and a safety.
Bleckley won the toss and deferred to the second half. After the first kickoff went out of bounds, Coach Cofer declined the opportunity to take the ball at the Dodge 35 yard line showing supreme confidence in his return team. Ultimately, Keldrick Beck was stopped at the Dodge 22 yard line on the second kick. Mikhail Carr started behind center and took the first snap on a quarterback sweep right for 20 yards as he followed Daylon Gordon and tight roped the sideline. Gordon then carried for 6 yards, but Carr was stopped for no gain bringing up third down. Hunter Kirkley entered the ballgame at quarterback and threw a pass that sailed through the hands of Beck on the sideline. Mason Mangham came in to punt and had to deal with a high snap that veered right. Mangham did a great job of fielding the ball and getting the ball away, which landed on the Bleckley 32 yard line and just sat there. It doesn’t help Mangham’s stat line, but it was a big play to get it off cleanly. The Dodge Defense forced a three and out.
Dodge took possession at its 33 yard line after the punt. Kirkley hit Beck with a 2 yard pass. Then Dodge ran the counter play to Gordon who took it 65 yards down the sideline for the touchdown. Dodge pulled Jared Frost and Clay Lee on the play, but more than anything, Gordon just outran everyone to the end zone. Beck ran the conversion in for two points to give Dodge an 8-0 lead.
Mangham attempted a high pooch kick but put a little too much on it as the kick sailed out of bounds and Bleckley took possession at its 35 yard line. The Royals completed a slant route, and Dodge missed a tackle that led to a 41 yard gain to the Dodge 24 yard line. The Dodge Defense stiffened inside the 10 yard line. Beck broke up a pass in the end zone that was almost intercepted. However, Bleckley punched it in on fourth down from the 1 yard line. Cameron Mils stood up the Royal receiver at the goal line on the two point attempt, and Dodge led 8-6.
The ensuing kickoff was fielded by Beck who ran untouched up the middle behind a wedge of Dodge blockers for an 84 yard touchdown. Dodge was flagged for excessive celebration, which was enforced on the extra point attempt. Mangham’s attempt was no good. Dodge led 14-6.
Good kickoff coverage by Dodge and a block below the waist by the Royals would back Bleckley up to its own 10 yard line. Bleckley broke off a 39 yard run on first down to get the ball near midfield. The Dodge Defense would stiffen and force a punt. Beck made the mistake of trying to do too much and field the ball in traffic. The ball bounced off his shoulder pad, and Bleckley recovered the fumble at the Dodge 19 yard line. Bleckley scored a touchdown on the very next play. On the two point attempt, Bleckley ran its version of the reverse pass made famous by the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl a few years ago. Mills intercepted the pass in the end zone to deny Bleckley points. Dodge led 14-12.
The Bleckley kickoff went out of bounds, and this time Dodge elected to take it at the 35 yard line. Kirkley hit Kevin Sykes, Jr. for a gain of 7 yards. However, a pass to Tyrese Johnson lost 2 yards, and Kirkley’s third down attempt to Sykes fell incomplete. Mangham got off a 49 yard punt that rolled dead at the Bleckley 11 yard line.
Bleckley used a long run and two defensive penalties against Dodge to drive to the Dodge 3 yard line. However, Gordon dropped the running back for a 3 yard loss, and Mills defended a pass in the end zone to force a field goal attempt. The field goal was good, and Bleckley led 15-14.
Jalon Jaynes caught a short kickoff and returned it to the Dodge 35 yard line. On third down, Kirkley hit Johnson with a 34 yard pass to the Bleckley 30 yard line. Johnson beat his man and managed to get one foot down in bounds. Later a fourth down pass to Johnson would fall incomplete in the end zone turning the ball over to the Royals.
The Dodge Defense forced a punt, and Dodge got the ball back on its 25 yard line. Kirkley hit Johnson on a 46 yard pass play to the Bleckley County 16 yard line. However, a fake field goal would fail and Dodge turned it over to Bleckley County. The Dodge Defense forced another three and out, and Dodge got the ball back at the Dodge 26 yard line.
Dodge moved the ball down the field with runs of 12 yards and 10 yards by Gordon. Kirkley hit Sykes for 5 yards and Johnson for 8 yards before throwing a 34 yard touchdown pass to Beck just before half. Mangham drilled the extra point, and Dodge led 21-15 at halftime.
The third quarter was a catastrophe for Dodge. Dodge had a player ejected for trading punches with a Bleckley County player. Bleckley scored touchdowns on three straight possessions while the Dodge Defense offered little resistance. Meanwhile the Dodge offense went three and out on its first two possessions of the first half. Bleckley led 36-21 when Daylon Gordon broke a 75 yard touchdown run around right end to cut the Bleckley lead to 36-27. A two point attempt resulted in Kirkley throwing to offensive tackle Landynn Powers who crossed the goal line for an apparent two point conversion. The referees twice signaled the attempt was successful as they discussed the play for several minutes. Eventually the referees got the call right and ruled illegal touching on the play as Powers was not an eligible receiver. The play was designed for Powers to give ground and catch a lateral from Kirkley, which would have allowed him to legally catch the football.
Bleckley would again drive inside the Dodge 10 yard line, but the Dodge Defense would hold and force a turnover on downs. Carr lined up at quarterback and ran for gains of 22 yards and 18 yards. Kirkley hit Beck for a gain of 12 yards and Gordon picked up 17 yards. Kirkley passed to Davis Marchant for 13 yards. Gordon would eventually score on a 15 yard run after running through a tackle on the goal line. Mangham’s extra point attempt was no good, and Bleckley led 36-33.
Bleckley would have a long drive to chew up clock before Gordon recovered a Bleckley fumble on the Dodge 22 yard line. However, Dodge could not move the ball. The punt snap went over Mangham’s head resulting in a safety and giving Bleckley a 38-33 lead. Dodge had to kickoff to Bleckley, and Mangham attempted an onside kick. However, Bleckley recovered on the Dodge 30 yard line, and it appeared the Royals would run out the clock.
However, the Dodge Defense held and forced a turnover on downs giving Dodge the ball with about a minute to play and no timeouts. On fourth down and fourteen yards to go, Carr took a shotgun snap from center and ran for 13 yards where he was tackled as he slipped trying to cut back effectively ending the game. Bleckley took a knee to run out the clock and preserve the 38-33 victory.
With less than five minutes to go, Noah Cummings collapsed on the sideline from what would later be diagnosed as extreme dehydration. He was carted off to a waiting ambulance. Numerous players, fans, and coaches showed up at the hospital to check on Noah. He received great treatment at Dodge County Hospital and was released in the early morning hours on Friday. He is doing well.
Dodge falls to 1-3 having lost all three games by six points or less. Dodge has a scheduled off week this week before hosting Jasper County High (also known as Monticello High) in a region game on October 23.
SPORTS
By Joey Marchant
Dodge traveled up I-285 for a Saturday afternoon matchup with the Whitefield Academy Wolfpack.
Dodge was traveling without starting quarterback Hunter Kirkley and starting safety/wide receiver Mikhail Carr, both of whom have been in quarantine for two weeks. Neither have tested positive for the virus but were quarantined for sitting within six feet of an infected student for more than fifteen minutes. Hopefully, the alternate schedule just adopted by the Dodge County Board of Education will put an end to the quarantines that have impacted several football and softball players this year.
So, Dodge called on starting middle linebacker Noah Cummings to pull quarterback duties this week later to be relieved by Kade Harpe who started nine games at quarterback last year but also missed practice time this week due to quarantine. Both gave their usual great efforts, but in the end, it was the lack of consistency from the Dodge offense that more than anything doomed the Indians on this day. That was not all on the quarterbacks. Often there was no time to throw, and Daylon Gordon had to fight for every yard he gained on the ground. On the bright side, except for two plays, the Dodge defense played lights out.
The Dodge offense got off to a great start as they took possession first and went on a 12-play 60-yard touchdown drive to open the ballgame. Gordon rushed for 18 yards on the drive. Cummings was perfect on the drive with completions of 25 yards to Tyrese Johnson and nine yards to Keldrick Beck. Finally, Reco Caines took it in from eight yards out for the touchdown. The two-point attempt was no good, and Dodge led 6-0.
The ensuing kickoff struck a Whitfield player and was recovered by Davis Marchant giving Dodge the ball with excellent field position at the Whitefield 49 yard line. Dodge could not move the football this time, and Cummings launched a pass 45 yards in the air, which was picked off by Whitefield. Johnson was the intended receiver, and he tackled the defender at the Whitefield 5 yard line, so the play had the same effect as a great punt.
A personal foul penalty on Dodge quickly moved the ball out to the Whitefield 23-yard line. Beck then deflected a pass intended for Myles Redding who came into the week second in all of the Georgia High School Association stats with 482 receiving yards in only three games. The game plan was to have Beck shadow Redding all day long. Beck did an excellent job, as Redding was not much of a factor on offense.
On the next play, Dodge lost containment and missed an open field tackle allowing Whitefield quarterback Ayden Duncanson to rush for a 77 yard touchdown. The extra point made the score 7-6 Whitefield.
Dodge could only make one first down on its next possession before being forced to punt. A defender came off the edge and blocked Mason Mangham’s punt giving Whitefield the ball at the Dodge 33 yard line. The Dodge defense would hold. On first down, Jalon Jaynes and Harpe hit the running back in the backfield before Gordon came in to make the tackle for a 5-yard loss. That was followed by two incompletions and a Wolfpack punt.
Dodge again failed to move the football, and Mangham was pressured but managed to get off a 28 yard punt, which was fair caught at the Wolfpack 44 yard line. The Dodge defense again held forcing a punt that rolled dead at the Dodge 15 yard line. A holding penalty backed it up to the five-yard line. On the next play, Cummings rolled right under heavy pressure trying to avoid a safety in his own end zone and threw a pass that was picked off by Redding and returned to Dodge’s five-yard line.
The Dodge defense again rose to the occasion. Lamarie Mitchell and Jaynes brought heavy pressure off both edges forcing the quarterback to retreat and intentionally ground the football way back at the Dodge 32 yard line. A second down incompletion was followed by pressure from Monterrius George to force a third down incompletion and a Whitefield punt.
Dodge took over on its own 20-yard line and would end up losing a fourth down and short yardage gamble turning the ball over to the Wolfpack at the Dodge 29 yard line. Whitefield pushed the ball inside the Dodge 10 yard line before the Dodge defense forced a field goal attempt. The kick was good, and Whitefield led 10-6.
A pooch kick was fair caught by Caines at the 42-yard line. After Gordon picked up a first down with a 12 yard run, Cummings was intercepted at the Whitefield 26 yard line. The Dodge defense would again hold highlighted by a four-yard tackle for loss by Harpe and a big hit by Jaynes to dislodge the ball from a receiver on third down. Mitchell pressured the punter causing him to tuck the ball and run before being tackled by Gordon at the Whitefield 34 yard line. Cummings later completed a 19-yard pass to Kevin Sykes, Jr. at the Wolfpack 19 yard line with the clock ticking down in the first half. Sykes made a diving catch between two defenders. This set up a 36-yard field goal attempt by Mangham, but the ball sailed wide left. Whitefield led 10-6 at halftime,
The Wolfpack got the ball to start the second half. After a kickoff return to its own 40-yard line, the Wolfpack gained 10 yards on the ground for a first down at midfield. Then Jarvion Flowers shoved the center into the backfield, and Gordon met the running back at the line of scrimmage for no gain.
On second down, Cummings and Harpe met the quarterback at the line of scrimmage. A third down pass fell incomplete, and Jaynes fair caught the Wolfpack punt at the Dodge 30 yard line. Gordon carried twice for little yardage before Cummings hit Beck for 14 yards. Gordon carried for six yards and what would have been an 11-yard gain behind a bone-crushing block from Cummings, but Dodge was called for Holding.
Then Harpe entered at quarterback mid series. Gordon picked up seven more yards, and it appeared Dodge was starting to wear down the Wolfpack. However, Harpe’s first pass was behind Beck and intercepted by the safety. Whitefield came flying down the field on the arm of Duncanson who suddenly developed some accuracy after being off the mark most of the day. But the Dodge defense dug in again. Gordon stopped the running back a yard behind the line of scrimmage and when the referees refused to blow the whistle, picked him up and slammed him to the ground. Then Mitchell sacked the quarterback for a loss of 8 yards. A Whitefield field goal attempt sailed wide left.
Dodge could not move the football, and Mangham punted it away netting 29 yards where it was fair caught at the Whitefield 47 yard line. Whitefield moved it on the ground to the Dodge 33 yard line.
A heavy rush from Gordon, Mitchell and Caines forced the quarterback all the way back to midfield before he hurled it wildly downfield for an incomplete pass. Caines was actually blocked in the back on the play resulting in the ball being spotted at the Whitefield 46 yard line. On second down, Johnson batted a pass away from Redding on a nice defensive play.
Then on third down and long and under pressure from Mitchell and Flowers, Duncanson threw the ball down the field off his back foot. Johnson had a good coverage and appeared to be in prime position for the interception of the underthrown pass, but a receiver went high in the air to take the ball away from Johnson and trotted into the end zone for a touchdown. The extra point was good giving Whitefield a 17-6 lead to start the fourth quarter.
Dodge took possession at the 32-yard line after the kickoff. Harpe hit Beck for an 11 yard gain and later called his own number for a gain of 14 yards to the Whitefield 42 yard line. Gordon lost a yard, and then had gains of eight yards and 10 yards to the Wolfpack 25 yard line. Dodge would ultimately be stopped on downs at the Wolfpack 20 yard line. Under heavy pressure from Harpe, Mitchell and George, Duncanson rolled out and made another ill-advised pass downfield. Beck tipped the pass, which was fielded by freshman Sherman Clay who had just entered the game. Clay returned it 39 yards for a touchdown, Beck passed to Sykes for the two point conversion making the score 17-14 Whitefield. The Dodge defense would get the ball back twice more, but the offense could not score.
Dodge ends the first part of its season 1-2 having been impacted greatly by several weeks of quarantine. Now begins the second season, the Region schedule with a visit to Cochran for a game against a familiar foe.
Bleckley has a record of 3-1 with a last second loss to Wilcox as its only blemish. This will be the first Region 3AA contest for both teams. The game has been moved to Thursday October 8th at 7:30 pm due to the weather forecast. We need as many Indian fans as they will allow to fill Royal Stadium. You will want to come early as there is not much room there for the visitors.
Dodge traveled up I-285 for a Saturday afternoon matchup with the Whitefield Academy Wolfpack.
Dodge was traveling without starting quarterback Hunter Kirkley and starting safety/wide receiver Mikhail Carr, both of whom have been in quarantine for two weeks. Neither have tested positive for the virus but were quarantined for sitting within six feet of an infected student for more than fifteen minutes. Hopefully, the alternate schedule just adopted by the Dodge County Board of Education will put an end to the quarantines that have impacted several football and softball players this year.
So, Dodge called on starting middle linebacker Noah Cummings to pull quarterback duties this week later to be relieved by Kade Harpe who started nine games at quarterback last year but also missed practice time this week due to quarantine. Both gave their usual great efforts, but in the end, it was the lack of consistency from the Dodge offense that more than anything doomed the Indians on this day. That was not all on the quarterbacks. Often there was no time to throw, and Daylon Gordon had to fight for every yard he gained on the ground. On the bright side, except for two plays, the Dodge defense played lights out.
The Dodge offense got off to a great start as they took possession first and went on a 12-play 60-yard touchdown drive to open the ballgame. Gordon rushed for 18 yards on the drive. Cummings was perfect on the drive with completions of 25 yards to Tyrese Johnson and nine yards to Keldrick Beck. Finally, Reco Caines took it in from eight yards out for the touchdown. The two-point attempt was no good, and Dodge led 6-0.
The ensuing kickoff struck a Whitfield player and was recovered by Davis Marchant giving Dodge the ball with excellent field position at the Whitefield 49 yard line. Dodge could not move the football this time, and Cummings launched a pass 45 yards in the air, which was picked off by Whitefield. Johnson was the intended receiver, and he tackled the defender at the Whitefield 5 yard line, so the play had the same effect as a great punt.
A personal foul penalty on Dodge quickly moved the ball out to the Whitefield 23-yard line. Beck then deflected a pass intended for Myles Redding who came into the week second in all of the Georgia High School Association stats with 482 receiving yards in only three games. The game plan was to have Beck shadow Redding all day long. Beck did an excellent job, as Redding was not much of a factor on offense.
On the next play, Dodge lost containment and missed an open field tackle allowing Whitefield quarterback Ayden Duncanson to rush for a 77 yard touchdown. The extra point made the score 7-6 Whitefield.
Dodge could only make one first down on its next possession before being forced to punt. A defender came off the edge and blocked Mason Mangham’s punt giving Whitefield the ball at the Dodge 33 yard line. The Dodge defense would hold. On first down, Jalon Jaynes and Harpe hit the running back in the backfield before Gordon came in to make the tackle for a 5-yard loss. That was followed by two incompletions and a Wolfpack punt.
Dodge again failed to move the football, and Mangham was pressured but managed to get off a 28 yard punt, which was fair caught at the Wolfpack 44 yard line. The Dodge defense again held forcing a punt that rolled dead at the Dodge 15 yard line. A holding penalty backed it up to the five-yard line. On the next play, Cummings rolled right under heavy pressure trying to avoid a safety in his own end zone and threw a pass that was picked off by Redding and returned to Dodge’s five-yard line.
The Dodge defense again rose to the occasion. Lamarie Mitchell and Jaynes brought heavy pressure off both edges forcing the quarterback to retreat and intentionally ground the football way back at the Dodge 32 yard line. A second down incompletion was followed by pressure from Monterrius George to force a third down incompletion and a Whitefield punt.
Dodge took over on its own 20-yard line and would end up losing a fourth down and short yardage gamble turning the ball over to the Wolfpack at the Dodge 29 yard line. Whitefield pushed the ball inside the Dodge 10 yard line before the Dodge defense forced a field goal attempt. The kick was good, and Whitefield led 10-6.
A pooch kick was fair caught by Caines at the 42-yard line. After Gordon picked up a first down with a 12 yard run, Cummings was intercepted at the Whitefield 26 yard line. The Dodge defense would again hold highlighted by a four-yard tackle for loss by Harpe and a big hit by Jaynes to dislodge the ball from a receiver on third down. Mitchell pressured the punter causing him to tuck the ball and run before being tackled by Gordon at the Whitefield 34 yard line. Cummings later completed a 19-yard pass to Kevin Sykes, Jr. at the Wolfpack 19 yard line with the clock ticking down in the first half. Sykes made a diving catch between two defenders. This set up a 36-yard field goal attempt by Mangham, but the ball sailed wide left. Whitefield led 10-6 at halftime,
The Wolfpack got the ball to start the second half. After a kickoff return to its own 40-yard line, the Wolfpack gained 10 yards on the ground for a first down at midfield. Then Jarvion Flowers shoved the center into the backfield, and Gordon met the running back at the line of scrimmage for no gain.
On second down, Cummings and Harpe met the quarterback at the line of scrimmage. A third down pass fell incomplete, and Jaynes fair caught the Wolfpack punt at the Dodge 30 yard line. Gordon carried twice for little yardage before Cummings hit Beck for 14 yards. Gordon carried for six yards and what would have been an 11-yard gain behind a bone-crushing block from Cummings, but Dodge was called for Holding.
Then Harpe entered at quarterback mid series. Gordon picked up seven more yards, and it appeared Dodge was starting to wear down the Wolfpack. However, Harpe’s first pass was behind Beck and intercepted by the safety. Whitefield came flying down the field on the arm of Duncanson who suddenly developed some accuracy after being off the mark most of the day. But the Dodge defense dug in again. Gordon stopped the running back a yard behind the line of scrimmage and when the referees refused to blow the whistle, picked him up and slammed him to the ground. Then Mitchell sacked the quarterback for a loss of 8 yards. A Whitefield field goal attempt sailed wide left.
Dodge could not move the football, and Mangham punted it away netting 29 yards where it was fair caught at the Whitefield 47 yard line. Whitefield moved it on the ground to the Dodge 33 yard line.
A heavy rush from Gordon, Mitchell and Caines forced the quarterback all the way back to midfield before he hurled it wildly downfield for an incomplete pass. Caines was actually blocked in the back on the play resulting in the ball being spotted at the Whitefield 46 yard line. On second down, Johnson batted a pass away from Redding on a nice defensive play.
Then on third down and long and under pressure from Mitchell and Flowers, Duncanson threw the ball down the field off his back foot. Johnson had a good coverage and appeared to be in prime position for the interception of the underthrown pass, but a receiver went high in the air to take the ball away from Johnson and trotted into the end zone for a touchdown. The extra point was good giving Whitefield a 17-6 lead to start the fourth quarter.
Dodge took possession at the 32-yard line after the kickoff. Harpe hit Beck for an 11 yard gain and later called his own number for a gain of 14 yards to the Whitefield 42 yard line. Gordon lost a yard, and then had gains of eight yards and 10 yards to the Wolfpack 25 yard line. Dodge would ultimately be stopped on downs at the Wolfpack 20 yard line. Under heavy pressure from Harpe, Mitchell and George, Duncanson rolled out and made another ill-advised pass downfield. Beck tipped the pass, which was fielded by freshman Sherman Clay who had just entered the game. Clay returned it 39 yards for a touchdown, Beck passed to Sykes for the two point conversion making the score 17-14 Whitefield. The Dodge defense would get the ball back twice more, but the offense could not score.
Dodge ends the first part of its season 1-2 having been impacted greatly by several weeks of quarantine. Now begins the second season, the Region schedule with a visit to Cochran for a game against a familiar foe.
Bleckley has a record of 3-1 with a last second loss to Wilcox as its only blemish. This will be the first Region 3AA contest for both teams. The game has been moved to Thursday October 8th at 7:30 pm due to the weather forecast. We need as many Indian fans as they will allow to fill Royal Stadium. You will want to come early as there is not much room there for the visitors.
SPORTS
FOOTBALL GAMES CANCELLED
BY JOEY MARCHANT
Dodge County High School has cancelled its football games with West Laurens, scheduled for September 18th, and Fitzgerald, scheduled for September 25th.
A Dublin High School football player tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday September 16th after playing against Dodge County five days earlier. On Friday morning, 24 Dodge County players were notified by Dodge County High School that they were quarantined for 14 days and would not be allowed to practice or attend in person classes.
The Dublin player allegedly felt symptoms on Friday, yet he played against Dodge that day. Therefore, contact tracing for 48 hours prior to and including Friday, September 11th resulted in the quarantine of the Dodge players who had played for at least 15 minutes against Dublin.
Therefore, with virtually the entire starting lineup quarantined, Dodge had no choice at that point but to cancel its next two games. This is a strange turn of events considering that no player on the Dodge, West Laurens or Fitzgerald teams has a known active case of COVID-19.
Dodge has a scheduled off week on October 2, visits Bleckley County on October 9 and has an off week on October 16. At this point, it is unclear if Dodge will try to schedule an opponent on either off week. However, Fitzgerald would appear out of the question as they moved to quickly schedule a date with Jefferson County in place of the Dodge game.
Dodge County High School Softball Coach Dr. Jennifer Belflower has rescheduled or cancelled some of the team’s games until October 5 due to some of the team’s players that have been exposed to the Coronavirus.
BY JOEY MARCHANT
Dodge County High School has cancelled its football games with West Laurens, scheduled for September 18th, and Fitzgerald, scheduled for September 25th.
A Dublin High School football player tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday September 16th after playing against Dodge County five days earlier. On Friday morning, 24 Dodge County players were notified by Dodge County High School that they were quarantined for 14 days and would not be allowed to practice or attend in person classes.
The Dublin player allegedly felt symptoms on Friday, yet he played against Dodge that day. Therefore, contact tracing for 48 hours prior to and including Friday, September 11th resulted in the quarantine of the Dodge players who had played for at least 15 minutes against Dublin.
Therefore, with virtually the entire starting lineup quarantined, Dodge had no choice at that point but to cancel its next two games. This is a strange turn of events considering that no player on the Dodge, West Laurens or Fitzgerald teams has a known active case of COVID-19.
Dodge has a scheduled off week on October 2, visits Bleckley County on October 9 and has an off week on October 16. At this point, it is unclear if Dodge will try to schedule an opponent on either off week. However, Fitzgerald would appear out of the question as they moved to quickly schedule a date with Jefferson County in place of the Dodge game.
Dodge County High School Softball Coach Dr. Jennifer Belflower has rescheduled or cancelled some of the team’s games until October 5 due to some of the team’s players that have been exposed to the Coronavirus.
SPORTS
Russ’s Sports Review
By Russ Ragan
This week had a little bit of everything. The Braves continued to hit for the most part. Unfortunately they lost their big off-season pick up for the year.
The Falcons made more bad football history. We are less than five days away from the opening game and the Bulldogs still don’t have a starting quarterback.
The Braves are in the middle of their key four game series against the Marlins. The Braves are currently leading 5-3 in the seventh in Monday night’s game. A week would give them a four game lead with just six to play in the wild game 60 game sprint. The offense has been a huge part of it as MVP candidate Freddie Brewer has led a great offense but they got a huge win from an unlikely source. Kyle Wright, who has been mostly real bad, looked like John Smoltz for a day anyway as he pitched six shutouts innings with six strikeouts.
Wright’s role just got bigger as Cole Hanel’s year and time with the Braves is over. Monday, the team put him on the ten day injured list and said his season was done. It wasn’t a terrible idea to pick up the veteran, it just didn’t work out. At least it was just a one-year deal. It looks like a Fried, Anderson and Wright rotation for the playoffs.
440-0, that’s the record for NFL teams that scored 39 or more points and making no turnovers. The Falcons did those things Sunday and made that record 440-1. The birds did the impossible and lost a nine-point lead and lost to the Cowboys 40-39 in Dallas. Ridley and Matt Ryan had good games but honestly this team is the laughing stock of all sports, not just football. The Falcons just looked at an onside kick in the final two minutes and it set up the game winning points. Did the team know the onside kick rules? Obviously, they got the kick off and punt rules mixed up!
I honestly don’t know what Arthur Blank is waiting for, as Dan Quinn has to go and go now. The defensive guru can’t lead his teams to any big stops with the game on the line. With three minutes to play Sunday, they had a 99.9 percent chance to win, really! So never give up on the Falcons.
The Bulldogs kickoff Saturday and there is one tiny issue; they don’t know who will be the starting quarterback. Kirby Smart says he doesn’t know just yet but I don’t buy it. But we will all know Saturday against Arkansas. I am going against the odds and say D’wan Mathes will be QB against the Hogs! Remember, I said he would start, not necessarily finish.
By Russ Ragan
This week had a little bit of everything. The Braves continued to hit for the most part. Unfortunately they lost their big off-season pick up for the year.
The Falcons made more bad football history. We are less than five days away from the opening game and the Bulldogs still don’t have a starting quarterback.
The Braves are in the middle of their key four game series against the Marlins. The Braves are currently leading 5-3 in the seventh in Monday night’s game. A week would give them a four game lead with just six to play in the wild game 60 game sprint. The offense has been a huge part of it as MVP candidate Freddie Brewer has led a great offense but they got a huge win from an unlikely source. Kyle Wright, who has been mostly real bad, looked like John Smoltz for a day anyway as he pitched six shutouts innings with six strikeouts.
Wright’s role just got bigger as Cole Hanel’s year and time with the Braves is over. Monday, the team put him on the ten day injured list and said his season was done. It wasn’t a terrible idea to pick up the veteran, it just didn’t work out. At least it was just a one-year deal. It looks like a Fried, Anderson and Wright rotation for the playoffs.
440-0, that’s the record for NFL teams that scored 39 or more points and making no turnovers. The Falcons did those things Sunday and made that record 440-1. The birds did the impossible and lost a nine-point lead and lost to the Cowboys 40-39 in Dallas. Ridley and Matt Ryan had good games but honestly this team is the laughing stock of all sports, not just football. The Falcons just looked at an onside kick in the final two minutes and it set up the game winning points. Did the team know the onside kick rules? Obviously, they got the kick off and punt rules mixed up!
I honestly don’t know what Arthur Blank is waiting for, as Dan Quinn has to go and go now. The defensive guru can’t lead his teams to any big stops with the game on the line. With three minutes to play Sunday, they had a 99.9 percent chance to win, really! So never give up on the Falcons.
The Bulldogs kickoff Saturday and there is one tiny issue; they don’t know who will be the starting quarterback. Kirby Smart says he doesn’t know just yet but I don’t buy it. But we will all know Saturday against Arkansas. I am going against the odds and say D’wan Mathes will be QB against the Hogs! Remember, I said he would start, not necessarily finish.
SPORTS
Lady Indians have 1-1-1 week of play
By Russ Ragan
The Dodge County High School Lady Indians softball team stepped out of region play with three games. On Tuesday, Dodge defeated Northside, Warner Robins Thursday, Dodge returned to Houston County to play Westfield Academy out of Perry. The game was tied at 1-1 in the second when the rain came in and the game was rained out. Dodge returned home on Saturday to face a good West Laurens team. Dodge would lead early but the Lady Raiders came back to win 8-3.
The Northside game started out as a pitchers duel. Brooke Perdue started on the mound for Dodge. She rolled through the first two innings as she had a pair of strikeouts.
Dodge got things started in the third. Bailey Harvey would reach on an error and Ava Maxwell would be hit by a pitch. Jessica Joiner would make a nice bunt getting runners to second and third. Logan White drove in Harvey with a ground out for a 0-1 lead. Ava Roland singled home Maxwell and the lead reached 2-0.
Perdue had an easy third and then the bats came alive in the fourth. Dylana Barton would be hit by a pitch. Singles by Perdue and Gracie Lewis would load the bases with no outs. Harvey would single home Barton and Perdue for a 4-0 lead. Logan White would single home Lewis for a 5-0 lead.
Perdue would go through the fourth and fifth with ease. She struck out the side in the fifth. Perdue ran into some trouble in the sixth as she allowed a pair of unearned runs. The freshman would breeze through the seventh including her sixth strikeout of the game.
Dodge hosted West Laurens on a breezy Saturday morning. The Lady Raiders scored first on an unearned run for a 1-0 lead. Dodge would battle back in their half.
Dylana Barton led off with a double to left center. Jessica Joiner would single to left to score Barton to tie the game at 1-1. Dodge would take the lead as Brooke Perdue would triple to deep left center that scored Logan White and Makiyah Roberson for a 3-1 lead.
The Lady Raiders would use the long ball in a big way in this one. A pair of wind blown shots, it was blowing straight out. The Lady Raiders take a 5-3 lead. They hit a three run shot in the fourth to take an 8-3 lead and that would be the final.
By Russ Ragan
The Dodge County High School Lady Indians softball team stepped out of region play with three games. On Tuesday, Dodge defeated Northside, Warner Robins Thursday, Dodge returned to Houston County to play Westfield Academy out of Perry. The game was tied at 1-1 in the second when the rain came in and the game was rained out. Dodge returned home on Saturday to face a good West Laurens team. Dodge would lead early but the Lady Raiders came back to win 8-3.
The Northside game started out as a pitchers duel. Brooke Perdue started on the mound for Dodge. She rolled through the first two innings as she had a pair of strikeouts.
Dodge got things started in the third. Bailey Harvey would reach on an error and Ava Maxwell would be hit by a pitch. Jessica Joiner would make a nice bunt getting runners to second and third. Logan White drove in Harvey with a ground out for a 0-1 lead. Ava Roland singled home Maxwell and the lead reached 2-0.
Perdue had an easy third and then the bats came alive in the fourth. Dylana Barton would be hit by a pitch. Singles by Perdue and Gracie Lewis would load the bases with no outs. Harvey would single home Barton and Perdue for a 4-0 lead. Logan White would single home Lewis for a 5-0 lead.
Perdue would go through the fourth and fifth with ease. She struck out the side in the fifth. Perdue ran into some trouble in the sixth as she allowed a pair of unearned runs. The freshman would breeze through the seventh including her sixth strikeout of the game.
Dodge hosted West Laurens on a breezy Saturday morning. The Lady Raiders scored first on an unearned run for a 1-0 lead. Dodge would battle back in their half.
Dylana Barton led off with a double to left center. Jessica Joiner would single to left to score Barton to tie the game at 1-1. Dodge would take the lead as Brooke Perdue would triple to deep left center that scored Logan White and Makiyah Roberson for a 3-1 lead.
The Lady Raiders would use the long ball in a big way in this one. A pair of wind blown shots, it was blowing straight out. The Lady Raiders take a 5-3 lead. They hit a three run shot in the fourth to take an 8-3 lead and that would be the final.
SPORTS
Dodge defeats Dublin, 33-20
By Joey Marchant
Dodge bounced back in a big way with a 33-20 victory over the Dublin Irish. The coaching staff came up with a good game plan, and the players executed. Dublin won the toss and deferred to the second half. A high angling kickoff gave Dodge the ball on its 25 yard line. It was apparent from the start that Dodge wanted to get Mikhail Carr and Daylon Gordon plenty of touches on offense. Carr lined up at quarterback and gained 6 tough yards on the ground. Hunter Kirkley came in at quarterback and handed to Gordon who gained 16 yards. Kirkley then hit Keldrick Beck for a gain of eight yards. Gordon rushed for gains of seven yards and two yards. Carr lined back up at quarterback and gained four yards. Carr then handed to Beck who gained four yards. Kirkley handed to Gordon for gains of 11 yards and four yards. Reco Caines came in to relieve Gordon and carried for four yards. Carr carried for five yards, and Gordon capped the drive with a three yard touchdown run. Mason Mangham added the extra point for a 7-0 Dodge lead.
Mangham’s high angling kickoff was fair caught by Dublin at the 25 yard line. After gaining one first down on the ground, it appeared Dublin would complete a pass for a first down in Dodge territory, but Carr came over and shoved the receiver out of bounds before he could get a foot down. A rugby style punt by Dublin netted 59 yards down to the Dodge five yard line.
Dodge could not move the football, and Mangham would have to punt from near his own goal line. He got off a 40 yard punt, and Dublin took over on its 44 yard line. Three personal foul penalties overshadowed some nice defensive plays by Carr and Quinn Whitehead and set Dublin up with first and goal from the Dodge 5 yard line. Dublin quarterback Markelle Mitchell powered the ball across the goal line for the score. The extra point made it 7-7.
Beck returned a squib kick to the Dodge 25 yard line. Facing third and long on the first play of the second quarter, Kirkley threw a 36 yard pass to Beck who made a leaping catch on the Dublin 40 yard line. Kirkley completed a 10 yard pass to Tyrese Johnson. Carr took a direct snap and started left before reversing his field and gaining 18 yards. Gordon rushed for gains of three yards, six yards and two yards to give Dodge a first down on the 5 yard line of Dublin. Caines took it in for the touchdown from there behind the blocks of Landynn Powers and Davis Marchant. The extra point attempt was blocked by a man coming off the edge. Dodge led 13-7.
Dublin returned the squib kick to its own 42 yard line. Then Dodge turned one of its worst defensive plays of the night into one of its biggest. Dublin ran left where Dodge’s defensive end collapsed and the corner and outside linebacker were kicked out leaving a huge running lane. Both safeties over pursued, and the ball carrier cut it up field with nothing but green grass between him and the goal line. However, safety Keldrick Beck stayed with the play and ran the running back down from behind tackling him on the Dodge two yard line. Dublin then attempted to take advantage of having a 6’2’’ 220 plus pound quarterback. The Dodge defensive front led by Noah Cummings stopped Mitchell after a gain of one yard on first down and no gain on second down. On third down, Mitchell fumbled the snap and had the ball ripped from his hands by Daylon Gordon as he tried to recover. Gordon returned it 99 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was again blocked, and Dodge led 19-7.
The kickoff was returned to the Dublin 41 yard line. Mitchell again fumbled the snap and was pulled from the game in favor of Kendall Wade. Kade Harpe tackled the running back for a yard loss on second down. Daylon Gordon sacked the quarterback on third down, but Dodge was called for holding giving Dublin new life. The Irish executed a counter trap play for a 52 yard touchdown run. The extra point cut the Dodge lead to 19-14, and it would remain that way at the end of the first half.
Dublin got the ball to start the second half and dominated the time of possession in the third quarter as Dodge did not run a single offensive play in the quarter. Dodge still managed to score when Jaylon Jaynes pressured Wade who floated a pass that was intercepted by Demron Gordon and returned 94 yards for a touchdown. Mangham’s extra point made it 26-14 Dodge.
Dublin turned it over on downs to end the third quarter, and Beck gained 35 yards on a jet sweep on the first play of the fourth quarter. Daylon Gordon would later run 35 yards for a touchdown. Mangham’s extra point made the score 33-14 Dodge. Dublin would add one meaningless touchdown late to make the final score Dodge 33 Dublin 20.
The victory was Dodge’s fifth win in its last seven games against Dublin. Dodge improves to 1-1 on the young season and plans to travel to Dexter on Friday September 18th to take on the AAAA West Laurens Raiders. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 pm. The Raiders are 0-2 having lost to Bleckley County 27-19 and Veterans 35-0.
Stats for Dodge were
Passing
Passing:
Hunter Kirkley was 4 of 7 for 56 yards
Rushing: Daylon Gordon had 19 carries for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns
Keldrick Beck had 3 carries for 38 yards
Mikhail Carr had 4 carries for 31 yards
Reco Caines had 5 carries for 11 yards and 1 touchdown.
Receiving:
Keldrick Beck had 2 catches for 44 yards
Tyrese Johnson had 1 catch for 10 yards
Daylon Gordon had 1 catch for 3 yards
Defense:
Daylon Gordon returned a fumble 99 yards for a touchdown.
Demron Gordon returned an interception 94 yards for a touchdown
Special Teams:
Mason Mangham was 3 for 5 on extra points and punted 3 times for an average of 31 yards
Lady Indians split Two region games
BY Russ Ragan
The Dodge County High School Lady Indians softball team split a pair of games last week. Last Thursday; Dodge defeated Lamar County, 8-1. On Saturday, Dodge dropped a tough game to long time rival Bleckley County, 6-5. Dodge will step out of the region for their next two games. Thursday Dodge will head to Perry to play a very good Westfield team. The game has a 5:30 start. Saturday, Dodge will host West Laurens with a 10:00 a.m. start with the junior varsity game and the varsity will follow at 12:00 noon.
Dodge hosted region newcomer Lamar County last Thursday. Brooke Perdue got the start on the mound for Dodge. The pitcher had control of this one early as we were scoreless going to the Dodge second. Dodge got a two out rally on hits from Ava Roland and Gracie Lewis. Bailey Harvey would single home runner Carson Ethridge and Lewis would score on an error to give Dodge a 2-0 lead.
Perdue would have an easy third that would include her third strikeout. Dodge would load the bases to start the third on singles by Logan White; Mikaya Roberson and Dylana Bartons hit would score White for a 3-0 lead.
Ava Roland would hit a sacrifice fly to score Roberson for a 4-0 lead.
Perdue would have an easy fourth and Dodge would add to the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Ava Maxwell would get hit by a pitch for the second time of the game and steal second. One out later, Logan White would unload for her sixth homer of the season for a 6-0 lead.
Perdue ran into trouble for the first time in the fifth. Lamar cut the lead to 6-1 but the bases were still loaded with two outs. Lamar hit a deep drive headed for the right center field gap but Ava Maxwell made a great leaping catch at the fence and the Dodge lead stayed at 6-1.
The Lady Indians added to the lead in the bottom of the fifth again with the long ball. Dylana Barton got a leadoff double/ Two outs later, Bailey Harvey would hit a deep drive to center for a two run homer and a 8-1 lead.
Lamar would get base runners in the sixth and seventh but Perdue would work around them and Dodge would take the 8-1 win.
Saturday wasn’t a good day for Dodge. The defense had a rough day with three errors that preceded a pair of unearned runs. Dodge cut the Lady Royal lead to 6-5 in the sixth on an RBI hit by Perdue. The Lady Indians could not get any closer and that would be the final. Ava Maxwell went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk and an RBI. Ava Roland also had two hits and a pair of RBI’s.
By Joey Marchant
Dodge bounced back in a big way with a 33-20 victory over the Dublin Irish. The coaching staff came up with a good game plan, and the players executed. Dublin won the toss and deferred to the second half. A high angling kickoff gave Dodge the ball on its 25 yard line. It was apparent from the start that Dodge wanted to get Mikhail Carr and Daylon Gordon plenty of touches on offense. Carr lined up at quarterback and gained 6 tough yards on the ground. Hunter Kirkley came in at quarterback and handed to Gordon who gained 16 yards. Kirkley then hit Keldrick Beck for a gain of eight yards. Gordon rushed for gains of seven yards and two yards. Carr lined back up at quarterback and gained four yards. Carr then handed to Beck who gained four yards. Kirkley handed to Gordon for gains of 11 yards and four yards. Reco Caines came in to relieve Gordon and carried for four yards. Carr carried for five yards, and Gordon capped the drive with a three yard touchdown run. Mason Mangham added the extra point for a 7-0 Dodge lead.
Mangham’s high angling kickoff was fair caught by Dublin at the 25 yard line. After gaining one first down on the ground, it appeared Dublin would complete a pass for a first down in Dodge territory, but Carr came over and shoved the receiver out of bounds before he could get a foot down. A rugby style punt by Dublin netted 59 yards down to the Dodge five yard line.
Dodge could not move the football, and Mangham would have to punt from near his own goal line. He got off a 40 yard punt, and Dublin took over on its 44 yard line. Three personal foul penalties overshadowed some nice defensive plays by Carr and Quinn Whitehead and set Dublin up with first and goal from the Dodge 5 yard line. Dublin quarterback Markelle Mitchell powered the ball across the goal line for the score. The extra point made it 7-7.
Beck returned a squib kick to the Dodge 25 yard line. Facing third and long on the first play of the second quarter, Kirkley threw a 36 yard pass to Beck who made a leaping catch on the Dublin 40 yard line. Kirkley completed a 10 yard pass to Tyrese Johnson. Carr took a direct snap and started left before reversing his field and gaining 18 yards. Gordon rushed for gains of three yards, six yards and two yards to give Dodge a first down on the 5 yard line of Dublin. Caines took it in for the touchdown from there behind the blocks of Landynn Powers and Davis Marchant. The extra point attempt was blocked by a man coming off the edge. Dodge led 13-7.
Dublin returned the squib kick to its own 42 yard line. Then Dodge turned one of its worst defensive plays of the night into one of its biggest. Dublin ran left where Dodge’s defensive end collapsed and the corner and outside linebacker were kicked out leaving a huge running lane. Both safeties over pursued, and the ball carrier cut it up field with nothing but green grass between him and the goal line. However, safety Keldrick Beck stayed with the play and ran the running back down from behind tackling him on the Dodge two yard line. Dublin then attempted to take advantage of having a 6’2’’ 220 plus pound quarterback. The Dodge defensive front led by Noah Cummings stopped Mitchell after a gain of one yard on first down and no gain on second down. On third down, Mitchell fumbled the snap and had the ball ripped from his hands by Daylon Gordon as he tried to recover. Gordon returned it 99 yards for a touchdown. The extra point was again blocked, and Dodge led 19-7.
The kickoff was returned to the Dublin 41 yard line. Mitchell again fumbled the snap and was pulled from the game in favor of Kendall Wade. Kade Harpe tackled the running back for a yard loss on second down. Daylon Gordon sacked the quarterback on third down, but Dodge was called for holding giving Dublin new life. The Irish executed a counter trap play for a 52 yard touchdown run. The extra point cut the Dodge lead to 19-14, and it would remain that way at the end of the first half.
Dublin got the ball to start the second half and dominated the time of possession in the third quarter as Dodge did not run a single offensive play in the quarter. Dodge still managed to score when Jaylon Jaynes pressured Wade who floated a pass that was intercepted by Demron Gordon and returned 94 yards for a touchdown. Mangham’s extra point made it 26-14 Dodge.
Dublin turned it over on downs to end the third quarter, and Beck gained 35 yards on a jet sweep on the first play of the fourth quarter. Daylon Gordon would later run 35 yards for a touchdown. Mangham’s extra point made the score 33-14 Dodge. Dublin would add one meaningless touchdown late to make the final score Dodge 33 Dublin 20.
The victory was Dodge’s fifth win in its last seven games against Dublin. Dodge improves to 1-1 on the young season and plans to travel to Dexter on Friday September 18th to take on the AAAA West Laurens Raiders. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 pm. The Raiders are 0-2 having lost to Bleckley County 27-19 and Veterans 35-0.
Stats for Dodge were
Passing
Passing:
Hunter Kirkley was 4 of 7 for 56 yards
Rushing: Daylon Gordon had 19 carries for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns
Keldrick Beck had 3 carries for 38 yards
Mikhail Carr had 4 carries for 31 yards
Reco Caines had 5 carries for 11 yards and 1 touchdown.
Receiving:
Keldrick Beck had 2 catches for 44 yards
Tyrese Johnson had 1 catch for 10 yards
Daylon Gordon had 1 catch for 3 yards
Defense:
Daylon Gordon returned a fumble 99 yards for a touchdown.
Demron Gordon returned an interception 94 yards for a touchdown
Special Teams:
Mason Mangham was 3 for 5 on extra points and punted 3 times for an average of 31 yards
Lady Indians split Two region games
BY Russ Ragan
The Dodge County High School Lady Indians softball team split a pair of games last week. Last Thursday; Dodge defeated Lamar County, 8-1. On Saturday, Dodge dropped a tough game to long time rival Bleckley County, 6-5. Dodge will step out of the region for their next two games. Thursday Dodge will head to Perry to play a very good Westfield team. The game has a 5:30 start. Saturday, Dodge will host West Laurens with a 10:00 a.m. start with the junior varsity game and the varsity will follow at 12:00 noon.
Dodge hosted region newcomer Lamar County last Thursday. Brooke Perdue got the start on the mound for Dodge. The pitcher had control of this one early as we were scoreless going to the Dodge second. Dodge got a two out rally on hits from Ava Roland and Gracie Lewis. Bailey Harvey would single home runner Carson Ethridge and Lewis would score on an error to give Dodge a 2-0 lead.
Perdue would have an easy third that would include her third strikeout. Dodge would load the bases to start the third on singles by Logan White; Mikaya Roberson and Dylana Bartons hit would score White for a 3-0 lead.
Ava Roland would hit a sacrifice fly to score Roberson for a 4-0 lead.
Perdue would have an easy fourth and Dodge would add to the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Ava Maxwell would get hit by a pitch for the second time of the game and steal second. One out later, Logan White would unload for her sixth homer of the season for a 6-0 lead.
Perdue ran into trouble for the first time in the fifth. Lamar cut the lead to 6-1 but the bases were still loaded with two outs. Lamar hit a deep drive headed for the right center field gap but Ava Maxwell made a great leaping catch at the fence and the Dodge lead stayed at 6-1.
The Lady Indians added to the lead in the bottom of the fifth again with the long ball. Dylana Barton got a leadoff double/ Two outs later, Bailey Harvey would hit a deep drive to center for a two run homer and a 8-1 lead.
Lamar would get base runners in the sixth and seventh but Perdue would work around them and Dodge would take the 8-1 win.
Saturday wasn’t a good day for Dodge. The defense had a rough day with three errors that preceded a pair of unearned runs. Dodge cut the Lady Royal lead to 6-5 in the sixth on an RBI hit by Perdue. The Lady Indians could not get any closer and that would be the final. Ava Maxwell went 2 for 4 with a double and a walk and an RBI. Ava Roland also had two hits and a pair of RBI’s.
SPORTS
Lady Indian Jr. Varsity softball team coasts past Wheeler
By Russ Ragan
The Dodge High School Lady Indians junior varsity softball team played the only game of the week as they hosted Wheeler County last Wednesday. Dodge got off to a quick start with a six run first and they coasted to a 12-0 win.
Jessica Joiner got the start on the mound for Dodge. She stranded a pair of runners in the first with a pair of strikeouts. Ava Maxwell and Dylana Barton walked to lead off the Dodge first. Joiner helped herself by bunting the runners to second and third. Reagan Graham singled to right scoring Maxwell and Barton to give Dodge a 2-0 lead. Graham, Med Lewis, Mavah Flowers and Javey Hickman would score runs as Dodge grabbed a 6-0 lead.
Joiner would lead off the second with a double and would come home on a single by Meg Lewis for a 7-0 lead. Joiner coasted on the mound through the fourth with four strikeouts.
Dodge would finish things off in the home half of the fourth. Maxwell would lead off with a single and she would score on a double by Barton for an 8-0 lead.
A double by Joiner would score for a 9-0 lead. An error would score Joiner for a 10-0 lead. Flowers would wrap things up with a single that would score Carson Ethridge and Meg Lewis for the 12-0 final.
By Russ Ragan
The Dodge High School Lady Indians junior varsity softball team played the only game of the week as they hosted Wheeler County last Wednesday. Dodge got off to a quick start with a six run first and they coasted to a 12-0 win.
Jessica Joiner got the start on the mound for Dodge. She stranded a pair of runners in the first with a pair of strikeouts. Ava Maxwell and Dylana Barton walked to lead off the Dodge first. Joiner helped herself by bunting the runners to second and third. Reagan Graham singled to right scoring Maxwell and Barton to give Dodge a 2-0 lead. Graham, Med Lewis, Mavah Flowers and Javey Hickman would score runs as Dodge grabbed a 6-0 lead.
Joiner would lead off the second with a double and would come home on a single by Meg Lewis for a 7-0 lead. Joiner coasted on the mound through the fourth with four strikeouts.
Dodge would finish things off in the home half of the fourth. Maxwell would lead off with a single and she would score on a double by Barton for an 8-0 lead.
A double by Joiner would score for a 9-0 lead. An error would score Joiner for a 10-0 lead. Flowers would wrap things up with a single that would score Carson Ethridge and Meg Lewis for the 12-0 final.
Sports
Lady Indians roll past Washington and Jasper
By Russ Ragan
The Dodge County High School Lady Indians softball team began region play this past week with games against Washington County and Jasper County. Dodge rolled over Washington 10-2. Dodge won a tough road game in a 4-3 win over Jasper County. The Lady Indians, now 8-2 on the year, are currently ranked number two in the state AA polls in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
It took the Lady Indians a little while to get going against Washington County. They trailed 2-0 going to the better of the first. Logan White got Dodge on the board with a single to right that scored Ava Maxwell who doubled to left center to lead off the inning.
Linzy Bowen then got things under control on the mound. She had four strike outs over the next two innings. Dodge got even in the bottom of the third as White hit a long homer deep over the centerfield fence for a 2-2 game. It was her fifth homer of the year.
Bowen had an easy fourth and then came the Dodge bats. Gracie Lewis got a triple to right with one out and she would score on a wild pitch for a 3-2 lead. The Lady Indians added to the lead as Brooke Perdue singled home Kyla Howell and Ava Maxwell for a 5-2 lead.
Dodge played long ball to add to the lead in the fifth. Catcher Ava Roland hit a deep drive over the left center field fence for her second homer of the year and a 6-2 Dodge lead going to the sixth. Bowen had an easy sixth with a pair of strikeouts in the game.
Makiyah Roberson pushed the Dodge County lead to 7-2 as she singled home Maxwell. The freshman lead off batter scored three runs in the game. Gracie Lewis would end the game as she would single home Roberson and Dylana Barton for the 10-2 final.
Dodge hit the road last Thursday to play region newcomer Jasper County.
The Lady Indians would get the scoring underway in the second. Ava Roland would reach on an error and Dylana Barton would single to lead off the inning. Both Carson Ethridge who ran for Roland and Barton would score on wild pitches and Dodge would take a 2-0 lead. Gracie Lewis would walk and score on a ground out by Jessica Joiner for a 3-0 Dodge lead.
Brooke Perdue would double to lead off the third and score on a wild pitch for a 4-0 lead. Yes, Dodge scored three runs on wild pitches in the game.
Brooke Perdue got the start on the mound for Dodge. The lead remained 4-0 going to the bottom of the fifth. Jasper had four hits, including three infield flies, to get three runs and cut the Dodge lead to 4-3. Perdue would be strong and retire the final six batters in order. She had six strikeouts in the game.
By Russ Ragan
The Dodge County High School Lady Indians softball team began region play this past week with games against Washington County and Jasper County. Dodge rolled over Washington 10-2. Dodge won a tough road game in a 4-3 win over Jasper County. The Lady Indians, now 8-2 on the year, are currently ranked number two in the state AA polls in the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
It took the Lady Indians a little while to get going against Washington County. They trailed 2-0 going to the better of the first. Logan White got Dodge on the board with a single to right that scored Ava Maxwell who doubled to left center to lead off the inning.
Linzy Bowen then got things under control on the mound. She had four strike outs over the next two innings. Dodge got even in the bottom of the third as White hit a long homer deep over the centerfield fence for a 2-2 game. It was her fifth homer of the year.
Bowen had an easy fourth and then came the Dodge bats. Gracie Lewis got a triple to right with one out and she would score on a wild pitch for a 3-2 lead. The Lady Indians added to the lead as Brooke Perdue singled home Kyla Howell and Ava Maxwell for a 5-2 lead.
Dodge played long ball to add to the lead in the fifth. Catcher Ava Roland hit a deep drive over the left center field fence for her second homer of the year and a 6-2 Dodge lead going to the sixth. Bowen had an easy sixth with a pair of strikeouts in the game.
Makiyah Roberson pushed the Dodge County lead to 7-2 as she singled home Maxwell. The freshman lead off batter scored three runs in the game. Gracie Lewis would end the game as she would single home Roberson and Dylana Barton for the 10-2 final.
Dodge hit the road last Thursday to play region newcomer Jasper County.
The Lady Indians would get the scoring underway in the second. Ava Roland would reach on an error and Dylana Barton would single to lead off the inning. Both Carson Ethridge who ran for Roland and Barton would score on wild pitches and Dodge would take a 2-0 lead. Gracie Lewis would walk and score on a ground out by Jessica Joiner for a 3-0 Dodge lead.
Brooke Perdue would double to lead off the third and score on a wild pitch for a 4-0 lead. Yes, Dodge scored three runs on wild pitches in the game.
Brooke Perdue got the start on the mound for Dodge. The lead remained 4-0 going to the bottom of the fifth. Jasper had four hits, including three infield flies, to get three runs and cut the Dodge lead to 4-3. Perdue would be strong and retire the final six batters in order. She had six strikeouts in the game.
Lady Indians win two out of three last week
BY RUSS RAGAN
The Dodge County High School Lady Indians won two out of three on the softball field last week including a long marathon.
The marathon would be last Monday as Dodge hosted Northside of Warner Robins. Dodge would never lead until Logan White hit a walk off double for a 9-7 win. Dodge traveled to Cordele over the weekend for the Watermelon Tournament. The Lady Indians were sharp in game one as they beat a good Laurens County team, 9-4. Dodge wasn’t quite as sharp in game two as they dropped a 4-2 game to Pierce County. Dodge will host Bleckley County next Tuesday in a big region match up.
Linzy Bowen got the start as Dodge hosted Northside. The Lady Eagles grabbed the early lead with a three run first. Bowen settled down in the second with an easy inning. Dodge would get on the board in the second as Bailey Harvey reached on an error with one out. She would score on a ground out by Ava Roland to cut the lead to 3-1.
Bowen had an easy third and Dodge would continue to chip away at the plate. Dodge would get within a run in the fourth. Bailey Harvey would single to lead off the inning and steal second and once again, score on a ground out by Ava Roland to cut the lead to 3-2.
Northside would add to the lead in the fifth with three runs for a 6-3 lead. Things didn’t look good but the Lady Indians would battle back. Ava Maxwell would hit a one out single and steal second. She would score on a ground out by Logan White for a 6-3 game.
Bowen would strand a pair of runners in the sixth at second and third on a fly ball to Makiyah Roberson in centerfield. Dodge, yet again, would chip away in the bottom of the sixth. Ava Roland would reach on an error and would advance to third on a pair of wild pitches. Gracie Lewis would single her home for a 6-4 game. Brooke Perdue would single home Carson Ethridge who was running for Lewis for a 6-5 game going into the seventh.
Bowen got a big strikeout with two runners on to keep the game at 6-5 going to the bottom of the seventh. Dylana Barton would walk with one out and she would score the tying run on a double from Ava Roland and Dodge would finally tie the game at 6-6 and to extra innings we go.
Both teams had their chances in the eighth. Both teams left two runners on so to the ninth we go still tied at 6-6. The Lady Eagles would take the lead on an unearned run in the ninth to take a 7-6 lead but Dodge would have the last swing.
Gracie Lewis would double to left center to lead off the Dodge ninth. Ava Maxwell would walk for the third time and that set the table for Brooke Perdue. Things would then get strange. The freshman hit a deep drive to left center and it looked like a walk off three run homer but some how the ball dropped in between the sign and the fence and was still in play. Anyway, Lewis scored and Maxwell would be at third and Perdue was at second for Logan White. The senior hit a deep drive to right center to score both of the freshman runners and Dodge, despite never leading walks it off for a 9-7 win in a game that lasted better than three hours. Linzy Bowen went the whole way for the win.
Dodge had their hands full on Saturday morning as they faced a good Lanier County team. Ava Maxwell reached on an error to lead off the game and he stole second and scored on a ground out by Logan White for a 1-0 Dodge lead. Brooke Perdue got the start for Dodge. She had an easy first including a strikeout. Lanier tied the game on an unearned run in the second but back come the Dodge bats. Perdue walked with one out and Logan White followed up with a single to right center. Makiyah Roberson would double to left center scoring Jessica Joiner who ran for Perdue for a 2-1 Dodge lead. Remember in softball you can run for the pitcher and catcher with no penalty. Dylana Barton would drive in White and Roberson on an error and the Dodge lead would reach 4-1. Lanier would fight back with a pair of runs in the third. Barton would strand the tying run at second with a strikeout and Dodge took a 4-3 lead to the fourth. Dodge would have a strong fourth at the plate. Maxwell would walk with one out. Perdue would double to left center putting runners at second and third. Logan White would single home Maxwell for a 5-3 lead. Roberson would be hit by a pitch to load the bases for Bailey Harvey. The senior came through with a single that scored Joiner and White for a 7-3 game. Roberson would score on an error for an 8-3 game. With two outs, second baseman Dylana Barton would hit a long homer to left center for a 9-3 lead. Perdue would fight off a late rally for a 9-4 Dodge win. The game was called after five innings due to the tournament 90-minute time limit.
Dodge faced Pierce County in their second game. This just wasn’t a good game for Dodge. Linzy Bowen pitched well as she only allowed three earned run but the only Dodge runs came from a hit from Gracie Lewis in the seventh inning scoring Harvey and Roberson but Dodge came up short in a 4-2 loss.
The Dodge County High School Lady Indians won two out of three on the softball field last week including a long marathon.
The marathon would be last Monday as Dodge hosted Northside of Warner Robins. Dodge would never lead until Logan White hit a walk off double for a 9-7 win. Dodge traveled to Cordele over the weekend for the Watermelon Tournament. The Lady Indians were sharp in game one as they beat a good Laurens County team, 9-4. Dodge wasn’t quite as sharp in game two as they dropped a 4-2 game to Pierce County. Dodge will host Bleckley County next Tuesday in a big region match up.
Linzy Bowen got the start as Dodge hosted Northside. The Lady Eagles grabbed the early lead with a three run first. Bowen settled down in the second with an easy inning. Dodge would get on the board in the second as Bailey Harvey reached on an error with one out. She would score on a ground out by Ava Roland to cut the lead to 3-1.
Bowen had an easy third and Dodge would continue to chip away at the plate. Dodge would get within a run in the fourth. Bailey Harvey would single to lead off the inning and steal second and once again, score on a ground out by Ava Roland to cut the lead to 3-2.
Northside would add to the lead in the fifth with three runs for a 6-3 lead. Things didn’t look good but the Lady Indians would battle back. Ava Maxwell would hit a one out single and steal second. She would score on a ground out by Logan White for a 6-3 game.
Bowen would strand a pair of runners in the sixth at second and third on a fly ball to Makiyah Roberson in centerfield. Dodge, yet again, would chip away in the bottom of the sixth. Ava Roland would reach on an error and would advance to third on a pair of wild pitches. Gracie Lewis would single her home for a 6-4 game. Brooke Perdue would single home Carson Ethridge who was running for Lewis for a 6-5 game going into the seventh.
Bowen got a big strikeout with two runners on to keep the game at 6-5 going to the bottom of the seventh. Dylana Barton would walk with one out and she would score the tying run on a double from Ava Roland and Dodge would finally tie the game at 6-6 and to extra innings we go.
Both teams had their chances in the eighth. Both teams left two runners on so to the ninth we go still tied at 6-6. The Lady Eagles would take the lead on an unearned run in the ninth to take a 7-6 lead but Dodge would have the last swing.
Gracie Lewis would double to left center to lead off the Dodge ninth. Ava Maxwell would walk for the third time and that set the table for Brooke Perdue. Things would then get strange. The freshman hit a deep drive to left center and it looked like a walk off three run homer but some how the ball dropped in between the sign and the fence and was still in play. Anyway, Lewis scored and Maxwell would be at third and Perdue was at second for Logan White. The senior hit a deep drive to right center to score both of the freshman runners and Dodge, despite never leading walks it off for a 9-7 win in a game that lasted better than three hours. Linzy Bowen went the whole way for the win.
Dodge had their hands full on Saturday morning as they faced a good Lanier County team. Ava Maxwell reached on an error to lead off the game and he stole second and scored on a ground out by Logan White for a 1-0 Dodge lead. Brooke Perdue got the start for Dodge. She had an easy first including a strikeout. Lanier tied the game on an unearned run in the second but back come the Dodge bats. Perdue walked with one out and Logan White followed up with a single to right center. Makiyah Roberson would double to left center scoring Jessica Joiner who ran for Perdue for a 2-1 Dodge lead. Remember in softball you can run for the pitcher and catcher with no penalty. Dylana Barton would drive in White and Roberson on an error and the Dodge lead would reach 4-1. Lanier would fight back with a pair of runs in the third. Barton would strand the tying run at second with a strikeout and Dodge took a 4-3 lead to the fourth. Dodge would have a strong fourth at the plate. Maxwell would walk with one out. Perdue would double to left center putting runners at second and third. Logan White would single home Maxwell for a 5-3 lead. Roberson would be hit by a pitch to load the bases for Bailey Harvey. The senior came through with a single that scored Joiner and White for a 7-3 game. Roberson would score on an error for an 8-3 game. With two outs, second baseman Dylana Barton would hit a long homer to left center for a 9-3 lead. Perdue would fight off a late rally for a 9-4 Dodge win. The game was called after five innings due to the tournament 90-minute time limit.
Dodge faced Pierce County in their second game. This just wasn’t a good game for Dodge. Linzy Bowen pitched well as she only allowed three earned run but the only Dodge runs came from a hit from Gracie Lewis in the seventh inning scoring Harvey and Roberson but Dodge came up short in a 4-2 loss.
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