Sports
Dodge High prepares for Homecoming Week 2017
By Amy Mullis
“North, South, East, West: Indians are the Best!” will be the mantra of all Dodge County High School (DCHS) Indians during Homecoming Week 2017, from October 16, 2017 through October 20, 2017, as the DCHS Indians prepare to take on the East Laurens High School Falcons.
The week, full of costumes, contests, dancing and, of course, football, will culminate with the crowning of the 2017 DCHS Homecoming Queen.
On-campus, dress-up days will include Mamma Jamma Monday, Tacky Tuesday, Wildcard Wednesday, Throwback Thursday and Fired-Up Friday.
The annual homecoming powwow will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Dodge County Middle School track on Thursday night, and the homecoming parade will roll through the streets of Eastman beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Friday.
Parade applications will be available in the DCHS front office as well as on the school’s website under the “What’s New” tab.
For more information about DCHS Homecoming Week events, contact Darci Rogers or Scarlett Selph at 478-374-7711. For specific parade information, contact Amy Mullis at 478-374-7711 or by email at amullis@dodge.k12.ga.us.
“North, South, East, West: Indians are the Best!” will be the mantra of all Dodge County High School (DCHS) Indians during Homecoming Week 2017, from October 16, 2017 through October 20, 2017, as the DCHS Indians prepare to take on the East Laurens High School Falcons.
The week, full of costumes, contests, dancing and, of course, football, will culminate with the crowning of the 2017 DCHS Homecoming Queen.
On-campus, dress-up days will include Mamma Jamma Monday, Tacky Tuesday, Wildcard Wednesday, Throwback Thursday and Fired-Up Friday.
The annual homecoming powwow will be held at 7:30 p.m. at the Dodge County Middle School track on Thursday night, and the homecoming parade will roll through the streets of Eastman beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Friday.
Parade applications will be available in the DCHS front office as well as on the school’s website under the “What’s New” tab.
For more information about DCHS Homecoming Week events, contact Darci Rogers or Scarlett Selph at 478-374-7711. For specific parade information, contact Amy Mullis at 478-374-7711 or by email at amullis@dodge.k12.ga.us.
Dodge cheerleaders are fierce on the mat
By Brian Grauberger
The Dodge County cheerleaders competed in the Falcon Frenzy at East Laurens High School on October 7, 2017. Both the high school and middle school teams represented Dodge County with impressive second and first place finishes respectively.
The high school also competed the previous weekend in Milledgeville, bringing home the second place trophy.
Both teams are working toward advancing the technical difficulties of the routes in preparation for area, region and state competitions.
Routines are two minutes 30 seconds and are graded in three areas by six different judges. Panel A judges evaluate the athlete’s jumps, cheers and dance. Panel B judges evaluate the tumbling, which includes both standing and running. Panel C includes partner stunts and pyramids with height being taken into consideration as well.
Within each of the categories, the athletes are graded based on the difficulty of the task and how it is performed. Both of the Dodge teams are scoring well in all three areas and have progressively gotten higher scores with more difficult stunts and tumbling over the past few years. Working as a team is essential, as each member plays an equally important role to perform each task required. These athletes may wear bows, skirts and a smile, but don’t be fooled, they are fierce on the mat.
The coaches are extremely proud of the teams’ efforts and anticipate even better scores going into the end of the season over the next few weeks. High school coach Sheena Orange stated after the competition, “Very proud of the girls. Each week we are getting stronger.”
Come out and support these incredible athletes.
The middle school will be competing in Vidalia next week. The team is coached by head coach Lori Cadwell with assistant coaches Sarah Ashley Winans and Amy Howard. Team members include Georgia Hardy, Meagan Rushing, Ava Wilkinson, Amelia Godfrey, Dezi Thomas, Lana Kay Pritchett, Sara Beth Cadwell, Gracie Mann, Laura Kate McCranie, Kate Jones, Akasha Johnson, Makayla Atchley, Morgan Parker, Ashlyn Grauberger, Amirah Huttoe, Leah Cook, Brianna Studstill, Camryn Vaughn, Ashlee Knowles, Kaylee Knowles and Anna Margret Stapleton.
The high school team is coached by Sheena Orange and Tammy Lewis. Team members include Sarah Beth Kirkland, Alyssa Trifiletti, Harlee Strickland, Sydney Steff, Ashley Howell, Bailey Wilson, Molli Mann, Jaida Rollins, Logan Lanier, Destiny Davis, Marlyn Parker, Kenzie Thomas, Shelby Cannon, Ivy Mincey, Ashlyn Dominy, Audrey Graham, Ryleigh Gonzales, Caroline Scarborough, Madison Durden and Amy Elizalde.
The Dodge County cheerleaders competed in the Falcon Frenzy at East Laurens High School on October 7, 2017. Both the high school and middle school teams represented Dodge County with impressive second and first place finishes respectively.
The high school also competed the previous weekend in Milledgeville, bringing home the second place trophy.
Both teams are working toward advancing the technical difficulties of the routes in preparation for area, region and state competitions.
Routines are two minutes 30 seconds and are graded in three areas by six different judges. Panel A judges evaluate the athlete’s jumps, cheers and dance. Panel B judges evaluate the tumbling, which includes both standing and running. Panel C includes partner stunts and pyramids with height being taken into consideration as well.
Within each of the categories, the athletes are graded based on the difficulty of the task and how it is performed. Both of the Dodge teams are scoring well in all three areas and have progressively gotten higher scores with more difficult stunts and tumbling over the past few years. Working as a team is essential, as each member plays an equally important role to perform each task required. These athletes may wear bows, skirts and a smile, but don’t be fooled, they are fierce on the mat.
The coaches are extremely proud of the teams’ efforts and anticipate even better scores going into the end of the season over the next few weeks. High school coach Sheena Orange stated after the competition, “Very proud of the girls. Each week we are getting stronger.”
Come out and support these incredible athletes.
The middle school will be competing in Vidalia next week. The team is coached by head coach Lori Cadwell with assistant coaches Sarah Ashley Winans and Amy Howard. Team members include Georgia Hardy, Meagan Rushing, Ava Wilkinson, Amelia Godfrey, Dezi Thomas, Lana Kay Pritchett, Sara Beth Cadwell, Gracie Mann, Laura Kate McCranie, Kate Jones, Akasha Johnson, Makayla Atchley, Morgan Parker, Ashlyn Grauberger, Amirah Huttoe, Leah Cook, Brianna Studstill, Camryn Vaughn, Ashlee Knowles, Kaylee Knowles and Anna Margret Stapleton.
The high school team is coached by Sheena Orange and Tammy Lewis. Team members include Sarah Beth Kirkland, Alyssa Trifiletti, Harlee Strickland, Sydney Steff, Ashley Howell, Bailey Wilson, Molli Mann, Jaida Rollins, Logan Lanier, Destiny Davis, Marlyn Parker, Kenzie Thomas, Shelby Cannon, Ivy Mincey, Ashlyn Dominy, Audrey Graham, Ryleigh Gonzales, Caroline Scarborough, Madison Durden and Amy Elizalde.
Ladies win region 3-AA championship
By Russ Ragan
The Dodge High Lady Indians Softball team left no question as to who was the top team in region 3-AA. They had everything working as they outscored opponents the opposition 32-0 in repeating as region champs.
The opener against Washington County had no drama, as Dodge rolled to a 12-0 win. Dodge had to wait around for the opponent, as Bleckley County was tied up in a tight game against East Laurens. The Lady Falcons actually took a 10-3 lead going to the bottom of the sixth. The Lady Royals would score ten runs in the sixth to take a 13-10 win.
The Lady Indians would get ahead with three runs in the first and roll to an 8-0 win.
On Wednesday, Dodge would have two chances to be region champs. They would only need one. Again, it was Bleckley County, as expected, and Dodge would again score a bunch in the first inning, as they got five in the first for an easy 12-0 win.
The Lady Indians will now face Westside out of Augusta in a best of three series. Games one and two will be today (Wednesday) in Eastman. Game time for game one is 3:30 p.m. and game two is supposed to get going around 5:30 p.m.
Off we go to Dublin for the opening round of region tournament play against Washington County. Linzy Bowen got the start on the mound for the Lady Indians. Both teams failed to score in the first. Bowen rolled through the second on just seven pitches.
Dodge went to work in the bottom of the second. Jacey Dowdy would single to lead off, and she would be replaced on the bases by the speedy Europe Brown. Sara Lann would double home Brown, and Dodge would lead 1-0. Hits from Hailey Hickman, Amber Maxwell and Jenna Hickman would give Dodge a 4-0 lead. Jade Dowdy would drive home Julianna Bellflower, and Aniyah Black would be driven in by Abby Manning for a 6-0 Dodge lead going to the third. Bowen would work around a pair of singles to keep the Dodge lead at 6-0 going to the bottom of the third. Lann would lead off the Dodge third with a single, and then a pair of two-out walks to Hailey Hickman and Bellflower would load the bases. Jade Dowdy would single home Lann and Hailey Hickman for an 8-0 Dodge lead. A single by Black would send home Bellflower for a 9-0 lead going into the fourth.
Bowen would get a pair of strikeouts in the fourth, and now Dodge would come to the plate needing three runs to end this one in four innings. Dodge wasted little time, as Jacey Dowdy and Lann would single. Hailey Hickman and Maxwell would score them for an 11-0 game. Jenna Hickman would single home Hailey Hickman, and that would do it for the 12-0 final.
That would set up Dodge and Bleckley for the third time this year. This one would have a lot of action in the first. Bleckley would have a chance in the first, as they would load the bases with two out. Jade Dowdy would get the big out on a strikeout, her second of the inning, and the Lady Royals would be denied.
Dodge would also have a chance in the bottom of the first; would they cash in? The answer would be, absolutely. A lead off single by Bellflower on a two-strike count, followed by an error that allowed Jade Dowdy to reach, and a walk to Black would load the bases for third baseman Manning. The junior third baseman would hit a ball very deep to right center for a triple that would score Bellflower, Sydney Powell, who was running for Dowdy, and Black for a 3-0 Dodge lead after the first.
The Dodge defense would come up big in the second. The Lady Royals would have a runner on second with one out. Lady Indian left fielder Hailey Hickman made a diving catch on a sinking line drive, and she threw a strike to Bellflower at second to double off the runner, and Dodge would keep the 3-0 lead.
Dodge added to the lead in the bottom of the second. Bellflower would reach on an error with one out. A single by Jade Dowdy and a two-out walk to Manning would load the bases. Runs batted in from Jacey Dowdy, Lann and Hailey Hickman would push the lead out to 6-0 going to the third.
The Lady Royals again would have a chance to score in the third, as they had runners at first and third with only one out. A fly ball to center fielder Jenna Hickman would be caught, and they decided not to try and tag up on the senior’s arm and it was a good thing, as it would have been really close at the place. Dodge would deny the Lady Royals as a ground ball to Bellflower at second would end the inning with a 6-0 lead.
Dodge would add to the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Lann would double to left center, which would score Manning and Brown, who was running for Jacey Dowdy, and the Dodge lead was 8-0 going to the fifth.
The Lady Royals would get a couple of base runners in the fifth, but a ground ball to Black at short would end this one in the 8-0 final.
On Wednesday, Dodge would again play Bleckley, this time, for the region championship. Dodge would only need a single win, while Bleckley would need a pair of wins.
Jade Dowdy would get a pair of strikeouts, and she would make a nice play on a come backer to the mound that would leave a runner at third.
The Lady Indians would go right to work at the plate. Jade Dowdy would reach on an error with one out. She would be replaced on the bases by Powell. A walk to Black and a single by Manning would load the bases for Jacey Dowdy. She would reach on an error and Powell would score for a 1-0 lead. Lann would single home Black and Manning for a 3-0 lead. Brown, who was running for Jacey Dowdy, and Lann would score on an error, and the Dodge lead would be 5-0 after the first.
The Lady Royals would get their only solid hit of the night to lead off the second on a double to left center. Jade Dowdy would work around it on another good play on a come backer. She made three good plays on the mound and an infield popup.
Dodge added to the lead in the bottom of the second. Bellflower would lead off the inning with a single. Jade Dowdy would once again reach on an error. A one-out single by Manning would load the bases. Singles by Lann and Hailey Hickman would give Dodge an 8-0 lead after two.
Jade Dowdy would then shutdown the Lady Royals’ offense. She would get the three infield ground balls to keep the Dodge lead at 8-0 going to the bottom of the third.
Jenna Hickman would walk and steal second to lead off the inning. Bellflower would move her to third. Jade Dowdy would help herself on a sacrifice fly, and the lead would be 9-0. Manning would get her third hit of the game that would score Black, who also singled and went to second on a wild pitch. The lead was not 10-0, and the game was nearing an end.
The Lady Royals could only get a fly ball to Jenna Hickman in center, and then Jade Dowdy would get a pair of strikeouts to keep the lead at 10-0 going to the bottom of the fourth.
Dodge would only need two runs to wrap up the championship in four innings. A single by Hailey Hickman and a double by Maxwell put runners at second and third with nobody out. Jenna Hickman singled to left to wrap home the game, as Maxwell would score, and that would do it for the 12-0 final.
It was a total team effort, as Dodge had 12 hits, and they made no errors in the field. Jade Dowdy was great on the mound, as she pitched a two-hit shutout with four strikeouts and no walks. She retired the final nine batters of the game.
The Lady Indians are playing their best ball of the year. Congratulations to the team, along with coaches Jennifer Bellflower, Meghan McCranie and Kenton Haley. A series win this week will have them playing at home next week, as they make a bid to make back-to-back trips to Columbus.
The Dodge High Lady Indians Softball team left no question as to who was the top team in region 3-AA. They had everything working as they outscored opponents the opposition 32-0 in repeating as region champs.
The opener against Washington County had no drama, as Dodge rolled to a 12-0 win. Dodge had to wait around for the opponent, as Bleckley County was tied up in a tight game against East Laurens. The Lady Falcons actually took a 10-3 lead going to the bottom of the sixth. The Lady Royals would score ten runs in the sixth to take a 13-10 win.
The Lady Indians would get ahead with three runs in the first and roll to an 8-0 win.
On Wednesday, Dodge would have two chances to be region champs. They would only need one. Again, it was Bleckley County, as expected, and Dodge would again score a bunch in the first inning, as they got five in the first for an easy 12-0 win.
The Lady Indians will now face Westside out of Augusta in a best of three series. Games one and two will be today (Wednesday) in Eastman. Game time for game one is 3:30 p.m. and game two is supposed to get going around 5:30 p.m.
Off we go to Dublin for the opening round of region tournament play against Washington County. Linzy Bowen got the start on the mound for the Lady Indians. Both teams failed to score in the first. Bowen rolled through the second on just seven pitches.
Dodge went to work in the bottom of the second. Jacey Dowdy would single to lead off, and she would be replaced on the bases by the speedy Europe Brown. Sara Lann would double home Brown, and Dodge would lead 1-0. Hits from Hailey Hickman, Amber Maxwell and Jenna Hickman would give Dodge a 4-0 lead. Jade Dowdy would drive home Julianna Bellflower, and Aniyah Black would be driven in by Abby Manning for a 6-0 Dodge lead going to the third. Bowen would work around a pair of singles to keep the Dodge lead at 6-0 going to the bottom of the third. Lann would lead off the Dodge third with a single, and then a pair of two-out walks to Hailey Hickman and Bellflower would load the bases. Jade Dowdy would single home Lann and Hailey Hickman for an 8-0 Dodge lead. A single by Black would send home Bellflower for a 9-0 lead going into the fourth.
Bowen would get a pair of strikeouts in the fourth, and now Dodge would come to the plate needing three runs to end this one in four innings. Dodge wasted little time, as Jacey Dowdy and Lann would single. Hailey Hickman and Maxwell would score them for an 11-0 game. Jenna Hickman would single home Hailey Hickman, and that would do it for the 12-0 final.
That would set up Dodge and Bleckley for the third time this year. This one would have a lot of action in the first. Bleckley would have a chance in the first, as they would load the bases with two out. Jade Dowdy would get the big out on a strikeout, her second of the inning, and the Lady Royals would be denied.
Dodge would also have a chance in the bottom of the first; would they cash in? The answer would be, absolutely. A lead off single by Bellflower on a two-strike count, followed by an error that allowed Jade Dowdy to reach, and a walk to Black would load the bases for third baseman Manning. The junior third baseman would hit a ball very deep to right center for a triple that would score Bellflower, Sydney Powell, who was running for Dowdy, and Black for a 3-0 Dodge lead after the first.
The Dodge defense would come up big in the second. The Lady Royals would have a runner on second with one out. Lady Indian left fielder Hailey Hickman made a diving catch on a sinking line drive, and she threw a strike to Bellflower at second to double off the runner, and Dodge would keep the 3-0 lead.
Dodge added to the lead in the bottom of the second. Bellflower would reach on an error with one out. A single by Jade Dowdy and a two-out walk to Manning would load the bases. Runs batted in from Jacey Dowdy, Lann and Hailey Hickman would push the lead out to 6-0 going to the third.
The Lady Royals again would have a chance to score in the third, as they had runners at first and third with only one out. A fly ball to center fielder Jenna Hickman would be caught, and they decided not to try and tag up on the senior’s arm and it was a good thing, as it would have been really close at the place. Dodge would deny the Lady Royals as a ground ball to Bellflower at second would end the inning with a 6-0 lead.
Dodge would add to the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Lann would double to left center, which would score Manning and Brown, who was running for Jacey Dowdy, and the Dodge lead was 8-0 going to the fifth.
The Lady Royals would get a couple of base runners in the fifth, but a ground ball to Black at short would end this one in the 8-0 final.
On Wednesday, Dodge would again play Bleckley, this time, for the region championship. Dodge would only need a single win, while Bleckley would need a pair of wins.
Jade Dowdy would get a pair of strikeouts, and she would make a nice play on a come backer to the mound that would leave a runner at third.
The Lady Indians would go right to work at the plate. Jade Dowdy would reach on an error with one out. She would be replaced on the bases by Powell. A walk to Black and a single by Manning would load the bases for Jacey Dowdy. She would reach on an error and Powell would score for a 1-0 lead. Lann would single home Black and Manning for a 3-0 lead. Brown, who was running for Jacey Dowdy, and Lann would score on an error, and the Dodge lead would be 5-0 after the first.
The Lady Royals would get their only solid hit of the night to lead off the second on a double to left center. Jade Dowdy would work around it on another good play on a come backer. She made three good plays on the mound and an infield popup.
Dodge added to the lead in the bottom of the second. Bellflower would lead off the inning with a single. Jade Dowdy would once again reach on an error. A one-out single by Manning would load the bases. Singles by Lann and Hailey Hickman would give Dodge an 8-0 lead after two.
Jade Dowdy would then shutdown the Lady Royals’ offense. She would get the three infield ground balls to keep the Dodge lead at 8-0 going to the bottom of the third.
Jenna Hickman would walk and steal second to lead off the inning. Bellflower would move her to third. Jade Dowdy would help herself on a sacrifice fly, and the lead would be 9-0. Manning would get her third hit of the game that would score Black, who also singled and went to second on a wild pitch. The lead was not 10-0, and the game was nearing an end.
The Lady Royals could only get a fly ball to Jenna Hickman in center, and then Jade Dowdy would get a pair of strikeouts to keep the lead at 10-0 going to the bottom of the fourth.
Dodge would only need two runs to wrap up the championship in four innings. A single by Hailey Hickman and a double by Maxwell put runners at second and third with nobody out. Jenna Hickman singled to left to wrap home the game, as Maxwell would score, and that would do it for the 12-0 final.
It was a total team effort, as Dodge had 12 hits, and they made no errors in the field. Jade Dowdy was great on the mound, as she pitched a two-hit shutout with four strikeouts and no walks. She retired the final nine batters of the game.
The Lady Indians are playing their best ball of the year. Congratulations to the team, along with coaches Jennifer Bellflower, Meghan McCranie and Kenton Haley. A series win this week will have them playing at home next week, as they make a bid to make back-to-back trips to Columbus.
Indians crush the Fightin’ Irish in 42-21 win
By David Bush
Last Friday night was full of excitement and anticipation. The mighty Dublin Irish were coming to town, it was Dodge County Senior Night, and Eastman would be hosting the 13 WMAZ tailgate party. Our Indians, 2-0 in the region and 5-0 on the season, were up against Dublin, also 2-0 in the region and 4-2 on the year.
The Dodge County fans packed the house to cheer on our team and honor the seniors for their hard work, dedication and sacrifice that make our program top-notch. Thank you seniors!
Dodge County would lose the coin toss and Dublin deferred to the second half. The opening kickoff went to freshmen Daylon Gordon, who returned the ball all the way out to the Dodge County 41-yard line to set up the offense first and ten. The Indians wasted little time, and five plays later, on a second and 13 play from the 18-yard line, RJ Carr took the ball up the middle and sprinted to the end zone, diving over a would-be tackler at the goal line, for a spectacular first touchdown of the night. Peyton Bush came in to boot the extra point and the Indians were ahead early, 7-0 with nine minutes, 57 seconds still to go in the first quarter. The Indians kicked the ball off to Dublin, and the Irish offense would take over at their own 23-yard line. The Indian defense shut down the Irish and forced a punt, not allowing a single first down.
Dublin punted the ball out to the Dodge 45-yard line, and the Indian offense began the second drive from there. The second drive took only one play as Carr burst through the Dublin defense and took the ball 55 yards down the sideline for another Dodge touchdown. Bush was good on the extra point, and Dodge was leading 14-0 with seven minutes, 20 seconds still to play in the first quarter.
The Irish would take over at their own 27-yard line and begin to figure some things out. Dublin put together a 12-play drive to score on a first and goal play from the 1-yard line. The point after was good, and Dublin cut the lead in half, 14-7, with one minute, 52 seconds left in the first quarter.
After a couple of miscues by the Dublin kickoff team, Dodge would get the ball at their own 40-yard line.
The Dodge offense would only manage one first down before having to punt back to Dublin. Bush came in and punted to the Irish, making them have to start at their own 18-yard line. Dublin began gaining yards in big chunks and moving right down the field. 11 plays later, they were back in the end zone. The point after was good, and just like that, the game was tied 14-14 with five minutes, 49 seconds to go in the second quarter.
After a Dublin kickoff to Dodge, both defenses would stiffen. Dodge punted to Dublin, and Dublin back to Dodge. The Indians, with one minute, one second left in the second, would get the ball down to the Irish 36-yard line with one second left on the clock. Bush would be called on to attempt a 53-yard field goal, but a penalty cost the Indians five more yards and moved the ball out of field goal range. Nick Cummings tried to get the ball to the end zone but was tackled, and the half would end 14-14.
The second half started with Dodge kicking off to Dublin and kicker Bush booting the ball five yards deep for a touchback. Dublin, starting at their own 20-yard line, began marching down the field. The Irish were at the Dodge 38-yard line, when the Indian defense knocked the ball loose. Shemour Jordan came up with the big fumble recovery.
The Indian offense came alive and began moving the ball again. On second down and two from the Dublin 34-yard line, Erin Pitts broke free and outran everyone to the end zone. Bush’s point after was good, and the Indians, once again, had the lead 21-14, with five minutes 31 seconds to go in the third quarter.
Again, Bush’s kickoff would sail into the end zone, and the Irish had bad field position, starting from their own 20-yard line. The Indian defense shut down the Irish attack, forcing a three and out and punt.
Dodge took over at the Dublin 48-yard line, and on the fourth play of the drive, Pitts ripped through the Irish defense, and raced 40 yards for another Dodge County touchdown. The point after was good, and the score was now 28-14, Dodge County.
After another kickoff into the end zone, Dublin started at their own 20 and pulled off an 80-yard drive, using 16 plays to get back to within a touchdown of Dodge. The score was now 28-21 Dodge, with six minutes, 17 seconds to go in the game.
Those Dublin Irish just wouldn’t quit, but neither would our Indians. After the Dublin kickoff went out of bounds, Dodge took over at their own 35-yard line. The Indians put together an impressive drive of their own, and took the ball 65 yards in nine plays, before Carr capped it off with a 6-yard run for his third touchdown of the night. The extra point by Bush was good, and the score was 35-21 with two minutes, 22 seconds left in the game.
The Indians would kick the ball off to Dublin and tackle the return man at the 15-yard line. Dublin was running out of time and needed to pass the ball to move the ball and manage the clock. On first and ten from the 15, the Irish quarterback dropped back to pass, and linebacker Tyler Montford blitzed through the line and sacked the quarterback, causing a fumble in the end zone, which Montford rolled over and recovered for a Dodge County touchdown. The point after by Bush was good, and the score was 42-21 with two minutes left in the game.
Montford’s touchdown seemed to take wind out of Dublin’s sails, and on their last possession of the game, they would be unable to get out of their side of the field before turning the ball over on downs to the Indians. Dodge would run out the clock to take the victory 42-21 and move to 3-0 in the region and 6-0 on the season.
The game statistics, courtesy of Jay Mullis, were as follows. Dodge County had 13 first downs to Dublin’s 18 first downs. In rushing yards, Dodge County had 325 and Dublin had 321 rushing yards. In passing yards, the Indians had a total of 18 to the Irish’s 26 passing yards.
In rushing and scoring, Carr had 154 yards on 15 carries and three touchdowns; Pitts had 135 yards on nine carries and two touchdowns; Nick Cummings had nine carries for 35 yards; Montford had one touchdown and Bush was six of six in point-after attempts.
Next week, the Indians travel to Sandersville to the “House of Pain” to face the Washington County Golden Hawks. Washington County won the region last season and could prove to be the biggest challenge for the Indians this season, despite their 2-4 record. This team is big and fast, and most of their losses come from much larger schools. If at all possible, please be there Friday, October 13, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. to cheer on our Indians.
Last Friday night was full of excitement and anticipation. The mighty Dublin Irish were coming to town, it was Dodge County Senior Night, and Eastman would be hosting the 13 WMAZ tailgate party. Our Indians, 2-0 in the region and 5-0 on the season, were up against Dublin, also 2-0 in the region and 4-2 on the year.
The Dodge County fans packed the house to cheer on our team and honor the seniors for their hard work, dedication and sacrifice that make our program top-notch. Thank you seniors!
Dodge County would lose the coin toss and Dublin deferred to the second half. The opening kickoff went to freshmen Daylon Gordon, who returned the ball all the way out to the Dodge County 41-yard line to set up the offense first and ten. The Indians wasted little time, and five plays later, on a second and 13 play from the 18-yard line, RJ Carr took the ball up the middle and sprinted to the end zone, diving over a would-be tackler at the goal line, for a spectacular first touchdown of the night. Peyton Bush came in to boot the extra point and the Indians were ahead early, 7-0 with nine minutes, 57 seconds still to go in the first quarter. The Indians kicked the ball off to Dublin, and the Irish offense would take over at their own 23-yard line. The Indian defense shut down the Irish and forced a punt, not allowing a single first down.
Dublin punted the ball out to the Dodge 45-yard line, and the Indian offense began the second drive from there. The second drive took only one play as Carr burst through the Dublin defense and took the ball 55 yards down the sideline for another Dodge touchdown. Bush was good on the extra point, and Dodge was leading 14-0 with seven minutes, 20 seconds still to play in the first quarter.
The Irish would take over at their own 27-yard line and begin to figure some things out. Dublin put together a 12-play drive to score on a first and goal play from the 1-yard line. The point after was good, and Dublin cut the lead in half, 14-7, with one minute, 52 seconds left in the first quarter.
After a couple of miscues by the Dublin kickoff team, Dodge would get the ball at their own 40-yard line.
The Dodge offense would only manage one first down before having to punt back to Dublin. Bush came in and punted to the Irish, making them have to start at their own 18-yard line. Dublin began gaining yards in big chunks and moving right down the field. 11 plays later, they were back in the end zone. The point after was good, and just like that, the game was tied 14-14 with five minutes, 49 seconds to go in the second quarter.
After a Dublin kickoff to Dodge, both defenses would stiffen. Dodge punted to Dublin, and Dublin back to Dodge. The Indians, with one minute, one second left in the second, would get the ball down to the Irish 36-yard line with one second left on the clock. Bush would be called on to attempt a 53-yard field goal, but a penalty cost the Indians five more yards and moved the ball out of field goal range. Nick Cummings tried to get the ball to the end zone but was tackled, and the half would end 14-14.
The second half started with Dodge kicking off to Dublin and kicker Bush booting the ball five yards deep for a touchback. Dublin, starting at their own 20-yard line, began marching down the field. The Irish were at the Dodge 38-yard line, when the Indian defense knocked the ball loose. Shemour Jordan came up with the big fumble recovery.
The Indian offense came alive and began moving the ball again. On second down and two from the Dublin 34-yard line, Erin Pitts broke free and outran everyone to the end zone. Bush’s point after was good, and the Indians, once again, had the lead 21-14, with five minutes 31 seconds to go in the third quarter.
Again, Bush’s kickoff would sail into the end zone, and the Irish had bad field position, starting from their own 20-yard line. The Indian defense shut down the Irish attack, forcing a three and out and punt.
Dodge took over at the Dublin 48-yard line, and on the fourth play of the drive, Pitts ripped through the Irish defense, and raced 40 yards for another Dodge County touchdown. The point after was good, and the score was now 28-14, Dodge County.
After another kickoff into the end zone, Dublin started at their own 20 and pulled off an 80-yard drive, using 16 plays to get back to within a touchdown of Dodge. The score was now 28-21 Dodge, with six minutes, 17 seconds to go in the game.
Those Dublin Irish just wouldn’t quit, but neither would our Indians. After the Dublin kickoff went out of bounds, Dodge took over at their own 35-yard line. The Indians put together an impressive drive of their own, and took the ball 65 yards in nine plays, before Carr capped it off with a 6-yard run for his third touchdown of the night. The extra point by Bush was good, and the score was 35-21 with two minutes, 22 seconds left in the game.
The Indians would kick the ball off to Dublin and tackle the return man at the 15-yard line. Dublin was running out of time and needed to pass the ball to move the ball and manage the clock. On first and ten from the 15, the Irish quarterback dropped back to pass, and linebacker Tyler Montford blitzed through the line and sacked the quarterback, causing a fumble in the end zone, which Montford rolled over and recovered for a Dodge County touchdown. The point after by Bush was good, and the score was 42-21 with two minutes left in the game.
Montford’s touchdown seemed to take wind out of Dublin’s sails, and on their last possession of the game, they would be unable to get out of their side of the field before turning the ball over on downs to the Indians. Dodge would run out the clock to take the victory 42-21 and move to 3-0 in the region and 6-0 on the season.
The game statistics, courtesy of Jay Mullis, were as follows. Dodge County had 13 first downs to Dublin’s 18 first downs. In rushing yards, Dodge County had 325 and Dublin had 321 rushing yards. In passing yards, the Indians had a total of 18 to the Irish’s 26 passing yards.
In rushing and scoring, Carr had 154 yards on 15 carries and three touchdowns; Pitts had 135 yards on nine carries and two touchdowns; Nick Cummings had nine carries for 35 yards; Montford had one touchdown and Bush was six of six in point-after attempts.
Next week, the Indians travel to Sandersville to the “House of Pain” to face the Washington County Golden Hawks. Washington County won the region last season and could prove to be the biggest challenge for the Indians this season, despite their 2-4 record. This team is big and fast, and most of their losses come from much larger schools. If at all possible, please be there Friday, October 13, 2017 at 7:30 p.m. to cheer on our Indians.
Lady Indians clinch top seed going undefeated in region play
By Russ Ragan
It was a big conclusion to the regular season for the Dodge High Lady Indian Softball team. They defeated AAAA Veterans on the road 13-8 in extra innings on Monday.
The big game was Tuesday, as Dodge hosted Bleckley County with the first seed in the region tournament on the line. The game was played in front of a full house in Eastman. The Lady Indians scored a first inning run and then scored four big insurance runs late to clinch the 5-0 win. The win gave the Lady Indians the top seed in the region tournament that started last night in Dublin.
The week started with a tough road game against Veterans. Dodge dropped a tough 6-5 game in Eastman to Veterans earlier in the year.
Dodge claimed the early lead in the first. Sara Lann would drive in Sydney Powell, who was running for Jade Dowdy, who walked, and Dodge would take a 1-0 lead. Veterans rallied in the bottom of the first to take a 2-1 lead.
The game stayed 2-1 Veterans until the top of the fifth. Jade Dowdy settled in after the first inning on the mound, as she retired nine out of ten batters. The Dodge bats would come alive in the fifth. Jade Dowdy would walk, and then Aniyah Black would hit a long homer to give Dodge a 3-2 lead. Jacey Dowdy and Lann would follow with singles. Hailey Hickman would drive in Europe Brown, who was running for Jacey Dowdy, for a 4-2 game. Amber Maxwell would drive in Lann, and the Dodge lead reached 5-2. Jenna Hickman’s sacrifice fly would score Maxwell to cap off the six-run inning and a 7-2 Dodge lead.
Veterans came back in the bottom of the fifth with an unearned run to cut the lead to 7-3. Dodge would answer in the top of the sixth. Jade Dowdy would help herself with a solo homer and an 8-3 lead. It would be a rough bottom of the sixth for the Lady Indians. Veterans would take advantage of a pair of Dodge errors to tie the game at 8-8.
Dodge would threaten in the top of the seventh but fail to score. The Lady Indians would make a pitching change, and freshman Linzy Bowen would come into the game. She had no trouble in the seventh, as she struck out a pair. This would send the game into extra innings. It would be the third time this year that Dodge had extra innings, and all three were on the road. The Lady Indians were 0-2 in games with extra innings, but today would be different.
Abby Manning, Jacey Dowdy and Lann would lead off the eighth inning with singles. Dodge would get runs batted in (RBIs) from Hailey Hickman, Maxwell and Jenna Hickman to take an 11-8 lead. Julianna Bellflower and Bowen would add RBIs to give Dodge a 13-8 lead going into the bottom of the eighth.
Veterans tried to make one final rally in the bottom of the inning. They got a pair of singles and a hit-by pitch to load the bases with two out. Bowen would get the final out on a strikeout, and Dodge would get the 13-8 win.
The season finale would be the big one. Bleckley County would come to town for the Lady Indians’ Senior Night. A win for Dodge would clinch the top seed in the region tournament. A Bleckley win would force a tie. Dodge would throw in a wrinkle, as Bowen would get the start on the mound.
Bowen would work in and out of trouble in the first. She would allow a hit and a walk with one out. She would get out of the jam with a pair of strikeouts. Dodge would get on the board in the first. Black would reach on a two-base error with two out. Manning would drive her home with a single to right field and Dodge would have the 1-0 lead.
Bowen would continue to strand base runners in the second and third. She would allow three walks, but she would get three strikeouts and a pair of fly outs to senior Hailey Hickman to get out of both innings. The Dodge offense could get very little going in the middle innings, as they were held to singles by Bellflower and Jacey Dowdy. Bowen got through the fourth and fifth innings, due to strong defense, in just ten pitches. Hailey Hickman made a good sliding catch to end the fourth. A double play in the fifth started by Bellflower on a fine play who threw to Black at short and to Lann at first to finish the inning.
The Lady Indians got some huge insurance runs in the home half of the fifth. Maxwell led off the inning with a single, and she advanced on an infield hit by Jenna Hickman. The Lady Royals tried to get Maxwell rounding second, but the throw was bad, as it went into deep left center that would score Maxwell, and Jenna Hickman would get all the way to third for a 2-0 game. Bellflower would drive in Jenna Hickman, and the lead would be 3-0 going into the sixth.
The Lady Royals would get a base runner in the sixth on a hit-by pitch, but Bowen’s seventh and eighth strikeouts of the game would strand the runner. Dodge would add to the lead in the bottom on the inning. With one out, Lann would single to left. Powell would come in and run for Lann. With one out, Hailey Hickman would lay down a bunt and Bleckley would throw it away, which put Powell at third and Hailey Hickman at second. Maxwell got another bunt down. Powell would score and Dodge would lead 4-0, and Maxwell would get all the way to second, as nobody was covering. The Lady Indians would try small ball one more time as Jenna Hickman got the bunt down, and Hailey Hickman scored for Dodge to take a 5-0 lead going into the seventh.
The Lady Royals tried to make one final rally against the freshman pitcher. They got a pair of singles around a fly ball to Jenna Hickman in center. The second hit was deep to left center, but a great throw by Hailey Hickman to third kept runners at first and second. A pop up to the first baseman Lann and a walk would load the bases with two out. Bowen would end the game with a bang, as she got her ninth strikeout on a called third strike to end the game. The win gave Dodge a 16-5 regular season record, and they are currently ranked number four in the Atlanta Journal & Constitution (AJC) AA top ten.
After the game, head coach Jennifer Bellflower said about the season so far, “It’s hard to believe the 2017-18 regular season is over. We are ready to begin preparing for postseason play. The team has come together over the course of this season, and we are excited to see what the coming weeks hold for us!”
It was a big conclusion to the regular season for the Dodge High Lady Indian Softball team. They defeated AAAA Veterans on the road 13-8 in extra innings on Monday.
The big game was Tuesday, as Dodge hosted Bleckley County with the first seed in the region tournament on the line. The game was played in front of a full house in Eastman. The Lady Indians scored a first inning run and then scored four big insurance runs late to clinch the 5-0 win. The win gave the Lady Indians the top seed in the region tournament that started last night in Dublin.
The week started with a tough road game against Veterans. Dodge dropped a tough 6-5 game in Eastman to Veterans earlier in the year.
Dodge claimed the early lead in the first. Sara Lann would drive in Sydney Powell, who was running for Jade Dowdy, who walked, and Dodge would take a 1-0 lead. Veterans rallied in the bottom of the first to take a 2-1 lead.
The game stayed 2-1 Veterans until the top of the fifth. Jade Dowdy settled in after the first inning on the mound, as she retired nine out of ten batters. The Dodge bats would come alive in the fifth. Jade Dowdy would walk, and then Aniyah Black would hit a long homer to give Dodge a 3-2 lead. Jacey Dowdy and Lann would follow with singles. Hailey Hickman would drive in Europe Brown, who was running for Jacey Dowdy, for a 4-2 game. Amber Maxwell would drive in Lann, and the Dodge lead reached 5-2. Jenna Hickman’s sacrifice fly would score Maxwell to cap off the six-run inning and a 7-2 Dodge lead.
Veterans came back in the bottom of the fifth with an unearned run to cut the lead to 7-3. Dodge would answer in the top of the sixth. Jade Dowdy would help herself with a solo homer and an 8-3 lead. It would be a rough bottom of the sixth for the Lady Indians. Veterans would take advantage of a pair of Dodge errors to tie the game at 8-8.
Dodge would threaten in the top of the seventh but fail to score. The Lady Indians would make a pitching change, and freshman Linzy Bowen would come into the game. She had no trouble in the seventh, as she struck out a pair. This would send the game into extra innings. It would be the third time this year that Dodge had extra innings, and all three were on the road. The Lady Indians were 0-2 in games with extra innings, but today would be different.
Abby Manning, Jacey Dowdy and Lann would lead off the eighth inning with singles. Dodge would get runs batted in (RBIs) from Hailey Hickman, Maxwell and Jenna Hickman to take an 11-8 lead. Julianna Bellflower and Bowen would add RBIs to give Dodge a 13-8 lead going into the bottom of the eighth.
Veterans tried to make one final rally in the bottom of the inning. They got a pair of singles and a hit-by pitch to load the bases with two out. Bowen would get the final out on a strikeout, and Dodge would get the 13-8 win.
The season finale would be the big one. Bleckley County would come to town for the Lady Indians’ Senior Night. A win for Dodge would clinch the top seed in the region tournament. A Bleckley win would force a tie. Dodge would throw in a wrinkle, as Bowen would get the start on the mound.
Bowen would work in and out of trouble in the first. She would allow a hit and a walk with one out. She would get out of the jam with a pair of strikeouts. Dodge would get on the board in the first. Black would reach on a two-base error with two out. Manning would drive her home with a single to right field and Dodge would have the 1-0 lead.
Bowen would continue to strand base runners in the second and third. She would allow three walks, but she would get three strikeouts and a pair of fly outs to senior Hailey Hickman to get out of both innings. The Dodge offense could get very little going in the middle innings, as they were held to singles by Bellflower and Jacey Dowdy. Bowen got through the fourth and fifth innings, due to strong defense, in just ten pitches. Hailey Hickman made a good sliding catch to end the fourth. A double play in the fifth started by Bellflower on a fine play who threw to Black at short and to Lann at first to finish the inning.
The Lady Indians got some huge insurance runs in the home half of the fifth. Maxwell led off the inning with a single, and she advanced on an infield hit by Jenna Hickman. The Lady Royals tried to get Maxwell rounding second, but the throw was bad, as it went into deep left center that would score Maxwell, and Jenna Hickman would get all the way to third for a 2-0 game. Bellflower would drive in Jenna Hickman, and the lead would be 3-0 going into the sixth.
The Lady Royals would get a base runner in the sixth on a hit-by pitch, but Bowen’s seventh and eighth strikeouts of the game would strand the runner. Dodge would add to the lead in the bottom on the inning. With one out, Lann would single to left. Powell would come in and run for Lann. With one out, Hailey Hickman would lay down a bunt and Bleckley would throw it away, which put Powell at third and Hailey Hickman at second. Maxwell got another bunt down. Powell would score and Dodge would lead 4-0, and Maxwell would get all the way to second, as nobody was covering. The Lady Indians would try small ball one more time as Jenna Hickman got the bunt down, and Hailey Hickman scored for Dodge to take a 5-0 lead going into the seventh.
The Lady Royals tried to make one final rally against the freshman pitcher. They got a pair of singles around a fly ball to Jenna Hickman in center. The second hit was deep to left center, but a great throw by Hailey Hickman to third kept runners at first and second. A pop up to the first baseman Lann and a walk would load the bases with two out. Bowen would end the game with a bang, as she got her ninth strikeout on a called third strike to end the game. The win gave Dodge a 16-5 regular season record, and they are currently ranked number four in the Atlanta Journal & Constitution (AJC) AA top ten.
After the game, head coach Jennifer Bellflower said about the season so far, “It’s hard to believe the 2017-18 regular season is over. We are ready to begin preparing for postseason play. The team has come together over the course of this season, and we are excited to see what the coming weeks hold for us!”
Dodge trounces Northeast for 36-13 victory
By David Bush
Last Friday night, the 4-0 Dodge County Indians rolled into Macon to face a scrappy region foe, the Northeast Raiders. The much-improved Raiders, 3-1 on the year, would be no pushover.
Dodge would win the toss and defer to the second half. The Indians kicked the ball off, and covered #19 Peyton Bush’s kick well. The Raiders ran the ball out to their own 20. The defense of Dodge wasted no time showing the Raiders who was going to dominate this game. In three plays, the Raiders managed to lose eight yards. #5 Tyler Montford stuffed a run for no gain, and #41 Cade Cranford sacked the quarterback for an eight-yard loss. The secondary would cover the Northeast receivers, resulting in an incomplete pass and forcing a punt. Northeast lined up to punt the ball, and the Indians blocked the kick; the ball bounced up into #18 Jamal Mahan’s arms, who trotted in for six points. #19 Bush’s point after was good, and the Indians were up 7-0 with only one minute, 45 seconds played in the first quarter.
After a Dodge kickoff, Northeast started their second possession at their own 26-yard line.
Again, the Dodge defense shut down the Raider offense, and Northeast would have to punt to Dodge. Dodge managed a short drive before having to punt the ball themselves.
#19 Bush pinned the Raiders down at their own 10-yard line with a 36-yard punt. The Indian defense came up big again, holding the Raiders to three and out forcing another punt.
Dodge got the ball back at the Northeast 40-yard line. The offense began a ten-play drive that included a nice 16-yard pass reception by #20 KeAnthony Woods at the one-yard line, and resulted in a #11 Nick Cummings touchdown from one yard out.
The point after by #19 Bush was good, and with 11 minutes, 21 seconds to go in the second quarter, Dodge led 14-0.
The Indians would kick the ball off to the Raiders, who would move the ball from their own 24-yard line to their own 45-yard line before having to punt back to Dodge.
The Indians, starting at their own 30-yard line, struggled on the possession, and on third down and 16, a fake punt was called. #27 Erin Pitts carried the ball around the left end, and sprinted untouched 76 yards for the third Dodge County touchdown. The extra point was good, and the score improved to 21-0 Dodge with six minutes, 33 seconds to go in the first half.
After the kickoff, Northeast would fumble the ball to Dodge on first down. Northeast didn’t give up and got the ball back by intercepting a Dodge County pass in the end zone. On second and ten, the Raiders attempted a pass, but #20 Woods came up with a beautiful interception for Dodge at the Northeast 44-yard line. Nine plays later, #2 RJ Carr found the end zone from three yards out. Dodge was successful on a two-point conversion, #16 Noah Cummings to #27 Pitts, and the score was now 29-0 with 31 seconds left in the half.
Northeast took the ensuing kickoff out to their own 30-yard line. The Raiders, desperate for points, ran a play around the end and got out of bounds to stop the clock. Then, on second and nine, they tried to throw a pass down the middle, but #3 Jared Cannon would come up with a big interception that not only stopped the Raiders from scoring, but also got the ball close enough to give the Indians one more chance to score before the half. After a screen pass to #2 Carr, #19 Bush was called on to attempt a 40-yard field goal. The kick was wide left, and the Indians would have to settle for a 29-0 lead at the half.
To start the second half, Northeast was to kick the ball off to Dodge.
The Raiders, however, attempted an onside kick and recovered it (even though it looked to me like it was touched by the kicking team before it went 10 yards). So, Northeast got the ball at midfield to start the second half.
The Raiders were pretty fired up about their little surprise kick and put together a ten play, 50-yard drive that resulted in their first touchdown of the night. The point after was good, and the lead was cut to 29-7 with six minutes, 12 seconds to go in the third quarter.
On the following kickoff, Northeast would try the onside kick again, but sure-handed #66 Ty Bellflower pounced on it to give Dodge first and ten at midfield.
On third and one from the 41-yard line, #2 Carr got loose and outran everyone to the end zone for a 41-yard touchdown run. #19 Bush’s point after was good, and the score was now 36-7 Dodge, with four minutes, 55 seconds still left in the third quarter.
#19 Bush kicked the ball back off to the Raiders, and they returned the ball back to their own 42-yard line. That would be as close as they got, as the Dodge defense bowed up and sent the Northeast offense backwards. On fourth and 18, the Raiders had to punt the ball back to the Indians.
Dodge got the ball back at their own 17-yard line and
Last Friday night, the 4-0 Dodge County Indians rolled into Macon to face a scrappy region foe, the Northeast Raiders. The much-improved Raiders, 3-1 on the year, would be no pushover.
Dodge would win the toss and defer to the second half. The Indians kicked the ball off, and covered #19 Peyton Bush’s kick well. The Raiders ran the ball out to their own 20. The defense of Dodge wasted no time showing the Raiders who was going to dominate this game. In three plays, the Raiders managed to lose eight yards. #5 Tyler Montford stuffed a run for no gain, and #41 Cade Cranford sacked the quarterback for an eight-yard loss. The secondary would cover the Northeast receivers, resulting in an incomplete pass and forcing a punt. Northeast lined up to punt the ball, and the Indians blocked the kick; the ball bounced up into #18 Jamal Mahan’s arms, who trotted in for six points. #19 Bush’s point after was good, and the Indians were up 7-0 with only one minute, 45 seconds played in the first quarter.
After a Dodge kickoff, Northeast started their second possession at their own 26-yard line.
Again, the Dodge defense shut down the Raider offense, and Northeast would have to punt to Dodge. Dodge managed a short drive before having to punt the ball themselves.
#19 Bush pinned the Raiders down at their own 10-yard line with a 36-yard punt. The Indian defense came up big again, holding the Raiders to three and out forcing another punt.
Dodge got the ball back at the Northeast 40-yard line. The offense began a ten-play drive that included a nice 16-yard pass reception by #20 KeAnthony Woods at the one-yard line, and resulted in a #11 Nick Cummings touchdown from one yard out.
The point after by #19 Bush was good, and with 11 minutes, 21 seconds to go in the second quarter, Dodge led 14-0.
The Indians would kick the ball off to the Raiders, who would move the ball from their own 24-yard line to their own 45-yard line before having to punt back to Dodge.
The Indians, starting at their own 30-yard line, struggled on the possession, and on third down and 16, a fake punt was called. #27 Erin Pitts carried the ball around the left end, and sprinted untouched 76 yards for the third Dodge County touchdown. The extra point was good, and the score improved to 21-0 Dodge with six minutes, 33 seconds to go in the first half.
After the kickoff, Northeast would fumble the ball to Dodge on first down. Northeast didn’t give up and got the ball back by intercepting a Dodge County pass in the end zone. On second and ten, the Raiders attempted a pass, but #20 Woods came up with a beautiful interception for Dodge at the Northeast 44-yard line. Nine plays later, #2 RJ Carr found the end zone from three yards out. Dodge was successful on a two-point conversion, #16 Noah Cummings to #27 Pitts, and the score was now 29-0 with 31 seconds left in the half.
Northeast took the ensuing kickoff out to their own 30-yard line. The Raiders, desperate for points, ran a play around the end and got out of bounds to stop the clock. Then, on second and nine, they tried to throw a pass down the middle, but #3 Jared Cannon would come up with a big interception that not only stopped the Raiders from scoring, but also got the ball close enough to give the Indians one more chance to score before the half. After a screen pass to #2 Carr, #19 Bush was called on to attempt a 40-yard field goal. The kick was wide left, and the Indians would have to settle for a 29-0 lead at the half.
To start the second half, Northeast was to kick the ball off to Dodge.
The Raiders, however, attempted an onside kick and recovered it (even though it looked to me like it was touched by the kicking team before it went 10 yards). So, Northeast got the ball at midfield to start the second half.
The Raiders were pretty fired up about their little surprise kick and put together a ten play, 50-yard drive that resulted in their first touchdown of the night. The point after was good, and the lead was cut to 29-7 with six minutes, 12 seconds to go in the third quarter.
On the following kickoff, Northeast would try the onside kick again, but sure-handed #66 Ty Bellflower pounced on it to give Dodge first and ten at midfield.
On third and one from the 41-yard line, #2 Carr got loose and outran everyone to the end zone for a 41-yard touchdown run. #19 Bush’s point after was good, and the score was now 36-7 Dodge, with four minutes, 55 seconds still left in the third quarter.
#19 Bush kicked the ball back off to the Raiders, and they returned the ball back to their own 42-yard line. That would be as close as they got, as the Dodge defense bowed up and sent the Northeast offense backwards. On fourth and 18, the Raiders had to punt the ball back to the Indians.
Dodge got the ball back at their own 17-yard line and
Dodge Lady Warriors split region games
By Russ Ragan
The Dodge Middle School Lady Warriors split a couple of region games this past week. They dropped a very tough 3-2 game at Bleckley County. Dodge rallied to take a 21-13 win over East Laurens. Dodge will host Swainsboro this Thursday in the season’s final regular season game at 4:00 p.m.
Here are the stats from last week’s play. At Bleckley County, Ava Rowland was one for three with a double and a run scored; Makiyah Roberson was one for three, a run scored and a stolen base; Annie Jones was two for three with a run batted in (RBI); JaiunaVae Pattillo had an RBI and Brooke Perdue pitched really well in the game with nine strikeouts.
Against East Laurens, Dylana Barton had a walk and three runs scored; JaiunaVae Pattillo had a single and four runs scored; Jayci Yawn had a walk; Annie Jones had a homer, a walk, four runs scored, two stolen bases and three RBI’s.
Makiyah Roberson was two for two, had two walks and two runs scored; Brooke Perdue had a single, two runs scored and was the winning pitcher in the game; Ava Maxwell had two walks, two runs scored and an RBI; Reagan Boney had a walk and a run scored; Ava Rowland had a single, a stolen base and two runs scored and Carsen Etheridge had two walks and two runs scored.
The Dodge Middle School Lady Warriors split a couple of region games this past week. They dropped a very tough 3-2 game at Bleckley County. Dodge rallied to take a 21-13 win over East Laurens. Dodge will host Swainsboro this Thursday in the season’s final regular season game at 4:00 p.m.
Here are the stats from last week’s play. At Bleckley County, Ava Rowland was one for three with a double and a run scored; Makiyah Roberson was one for three, a run scored and a stolen base; Annie Jones was two for three with a run batted in (RBI); JaiunaVae Pattillo had an RBI and Brooke Perdue pitched really well in the game with nine strikeouts.
Against East Laurens, Dylana Barton had a walk and three runs scored; JaiunaVae Pattillo had a single and four runs scored; Jayci Yawn had a walk; Annie Jones had a homer, a walk, four runs scored, two stolen bases and three RBI’s.
Makiyah Roberson was two for two, had two walks and two runs scored; Brooke Perdue had a single, two runs scored and was the winning pitcher in the game; Ava Maxwell had two walks, two runs scored and an RBI; Reagan Boney had a walk and a run scored; Ava Rowland had a single, a stolen base and two runs scored and Carsen Etheridge had two walks and two runs scored.
Lady Indians are undefeated in the region
By Russ Ragan
It was a huge week for the Dodge County High Lady Indians Softball team. They had four big region matchups, including a big showdown last Monday at Bleckley County. The game was the battle everyone expected, as the lead swung both ways. Dodge trailed 5-4 going into the seventh. The Lady Indians got off the deck and scored four runs in the seventh for a huge 8-5 win.
The rest of the week also included region matchups. Tuesday, September 19, 2017, Dodge defeated Washington County 12-0. Northeast Macon came to town on Wednesday to makeup a rained out game, and Dodge rolled to a 20-0 win. The Lady Indians finished the week up with a 13-2 road win at East Laurens. The game had a late conclusion due to weather delays.
There was a big crowd in Cochran for the huge region matchup. Jade Dowdy got the start on the mound for the Lady Indians. She got off to a strong start, as she had three strikeouts through the first two innings. The game was scoreless going into the third. With one out, Julianna Bellflower walked, Jade Dowdy reached on an error and Aniyah Black walked, to load the bases. With two out, Jacey Dowdy hit a double that unloaded the bases to give Dodge a 3-0 lead. The Lady Royals got a pair of runs back in the fourth to cut the Dodge lead to 3-2.
Dodge picked up a run in the sixth, as Amber Maxwell singled home Abby Manning for a 4-2 Dodge lead. Bleckley would charge back in its half of the sixth. They would score three unearned runs to take a 5-4 lead going to the seventh inning.
Dodge would be at the top of the order in the seventh. Bellflower would lead off with a walk. The Lady Indians would then get a big break, as Bleckley threw away a potential double play ball, and that put runners on first and second with nobody out. A walk to Black would be her third of the game, and the bases were loaded with nobody out. Manning would single home Bellflower to tie the game at 5-5. Jacey Dowdy would then get her third hit and fourth run batted in (RBI) that scored Sydney Powell, who was running for Jade Dowdy to give Dodge a 6-5 lead. Dodge would then get huge insurance runs on RBI’s from Sara Lann and Hailey Hickman, and Dodge would have an 8-5 lead going to the bottom of the seventh.
The Lady Royals would make one final stand, as they got a pair of base runners with two out. A harmless ground ball to Manning at third would end the wild game and give the Lady Indians a huge 8-5 win.
Dodge would host Washington County on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, in another big region contest. Freshman Linzy Bowen got the start on the mound. She picked up a pair of strikeouts to start the day. Bellflower walked and Jenna Hickman would reach on an error. They both stole a base to set up Black. She would single both runners in for a 2-0 Dodge lead.
An error and a wild pitch later would have her at third, and Manning would drive her in for a 3-0 Dodge lead. Hailey Hickman would double home Europe Brown, who was running for Jacey Dowdy who walked, and Dodge had a 4-0 lead after the first.
Bowen got another pair of strikeouts in the second and third. The Lady Indians would add to the lead in the third. With one out, Manning reached on an error, and Jacey Dowdy walked. Hailey Hickman singled home Manning, and Maxwell drove in Brown, who was running for Jacey Dowdy, and the Dodge lead was 6-0. Bowen got the side out in order in the fourth, thanks to a rare 5-6-4 double play turned by Manning, Black and Bellflower.
Dodge would put the game away in the home half of the fourth. Bellflower would be hit by a pitch to lead off. Powell would single and advance to third on an error, as Bellflower would score for a 7-0 Dodge lead. Black would single home Powell for an 8-0 game. The lead would be 9-0, and after a walk by Gracie Lewis and a Lann single, Jade Dowdy would pinch-hit a three-run homer that just got over the left field fence for a 12-0 lead, and that would end the game. Bowen would finish up with a no-hitter and seven strikeouts.
On Wednesday, September 20, Dodge would host Northeast Macon. This game got completely out of hand from the start. Dodge would draw 14 walks in the game, including eight in the first inning alone. Lann would pitch a one-hit shutout with six strikeouts in the 20-0 blowout. The game could have actually been much worse, if not for the fact that Dodge made four of their six outs on purpose.
Here is a stat rundown of the game. Bellflower was two for two with three runs scored, two walks and two stolen bases; Jade Dowdy was one for one with two walks, three runs scored, two RBI’s and a stolen base; Black was two for two with a double and a triple, three runs scored and three RBI’s; Manning was one for one with two runs scored, a stolen base, two RBI’s and two walks; Lann had two walks, two runs scored and three RBI’s; Powell had two walks, two runs scored and two RBI’s and Bowen was two for three with a run scored, a stolen base and four RBI’s.
The Lady Indians would wrap up their busy week with a road game at East Laurens. Dodge jumped out early in this one. Bellflower would walk, Jade Dowdy would reach on an error and Black would single to load the bases with nobody out. A single from Manning would give Dodge a 1-0 lead. Jacey Dowdy would drive in Powell, who was running for Jade Dowdy, and Black for a 3-0 Dodge lead. Lann would knock in Manning with a single for a 4-0 lead. Bellflower would single home the final run of the inning for a 6-0 Dodge game after the top of the first.
Jade Dowdy got the start on the mound for the Lady Indians. The Lady Falcons got a couple of runs back in the bottom of the second, and the Dodge lead was 6-2.
Dodge would answer back in the third. The Lady Indians got a pair of RBI’s from Black and Manning, and the lead was back to 8-2.
Dodge added to the lead in the fourth. With two out, Maxwell doubled, and she would score on a single from Jenna Hickman for a 9-2 lead. The lead remained 9-2 going into the seventh on a stormy night. Maxwell singled and stole second. She scored on a single from Bellflower for a 10-2 game.
A two-out single from Black scored Bellflower for an 11-2 game. Manning would triple to score Black, and she would score on an error for a 13-2 lead. Dodge had to sit through a weather delay in the bottom of the seventh but had no problem, as the final would be 13-2.
It was a huge week for the Dodge County High Lady Indians Softball team. They had four big region matchups, including a big showdown last Monday at Bleckley County. The game was the battle everyone expected, as the lead swung both ways. Dodge trailed 5-4 going into the seventh. The Lady Indians got off the deck and scored four runs in the seventh for a huge 8-5 win.
The rest of the week also included region matchups. Tuesday, September 19, 2017, Dodge defeated Washington County 12-0. Northeast Macon came to town on Wednesday to makeup a rained out game, and Dodge rolled to a 20-0 win. The Lady Indians finished the week up with a 13-2 road win at East Laurens. The game had a late conclusion due to weather delays.
There was a big crowd in Cochran for the huge region matchup. Jade Dowdy got the start on the mound for the Lady Indians. She got off to a strong start, as she had three strikeouts through the first two innings. The game was scoreless going into the third. With one out, Julianna Bellflower walked, Jade Dowdy reached on an error and Aniyah Black walked, to load the bases. With two out, Jacey Dowdy hit a double that unloaded the bases to give Dodge a 3-0 lead. The Lady Royals got a pair of runs back in the fourth to cut the Dodge lead to 3-2.
Dodge picked up a run in the sixth, as Amber Maxwell singled home Abby Manning for a 4-2 Dodge lead. Bleckley would charge back in its half of the sixth. They would score three unearned runs to take a 5-4 lead going to the seventh inning.
Dodge would be at the top of the order in the seventh. Bellflower would lead off with a walk. The Lady Indians would then get a big break, as Bleckley threw away a potential double play ball, and that put runners on first and second with nobody out. A walk to Black would be her third of the game, and the bases were loaded with nobody out. Manning would single home Bellflower to tie the game at 5-5. Jacey Dowdy would then get her third hit and fourth run batted in (RBI) that scored Sydney Powell, who was running for Jade Dowdy to give Dodge a 6-5 lead. Dodge would then get huge insurance runs on RBI’s from Sara Lann and Hailey Hickman, and Dodge would have an 8-5 lead going to the bottom of the seventh.
The Lady Royals would make one final stand, as they got a pair of base runners with two out. A harmless ground ball to Manning at third would end the wild game and give the Lady Indians a huge 8-5 win.
Dodge would host Washington County on Tuesday, September 19, 2017, in another big region contest. Freshman Linzy Bowen got the start on the mound. She picked up a pair of strikeouts to start the day. Bellflower walked and Jenna Hickman would reach on an error. They both stole a base to set up Black. She would single both runners in for a 2-0 Dodge lead.
An error and a wild pitch later would have her at third, and Manning would drive her in for a 3-0 Dodge lead. Hailey Hickman would double home Europe Brown, who was running for Jacey Dowdy who walked, and Dodge had a 4-0 lead after the first.
Bowen got another pair of strikeouts in the second and third. The Lady Indians would add to the lead in the third. With one out, Manning reached on an error, and Jacey Dowdy walked. Hailey Hickman singled home Manning, and Maxwell drove in Brown, who was running for Jacey Dowdy, and the Dodge lead was 6-0. Bowen got the side out in order in the fourth, thanks to a rare 5-6-4 double play turned by Manning, Black and Bellflower.
Dodge would put the game away in the home half of the fourth. Bellflower would be hit by a pitch to lead off. Powell would single and advance to third on an error, as Bellflower would score for a 7-0 Dodge lead. Black would single home Powell for an 8-0 game. The lead would be 9-0, and after a walk by Gracie Lewis and a Lann single, Jade Dowdy would pinch-hit a three-run homer that just got over the left field fence for a 12-0 lead, and that would end the game. Bowen would finish up with a no-hitter and seven strikeouts.
On Wednesday, September 20, Dodge would host Northeast Macon. This game got completely out of hand from the start. Dodge would draw 14 walks in the game, including eight in the first inning alone. Lann would pitch a one-hit shutout with six strikeouts in the 20-0 blowout. The game could have actually been much worse, if not for the fact that Dodge made four of their six outs on purpose.
Here is a stat rundown of the game. Bellflower was two for two with three runs scored, two walks and two stolen bases; Jade Dowdy was one for one with two walks, three runs scored, two RBI’s and a stolen base; Black was two for two with a double and a triple, three runs scored and three RBI’s; Manning was one for one with two runs scored, a stolen base, two RBI’s and two walks; Lann had two walks, two runs scored and three RBI’s; Powell had two walks, two runs scored and two RBI’s and Bowen was two for three with a run scored, a stolen base and four RBI’s.
The Lady Indians would wrap up their busy week with a road game at East Laurens. Dodge jumped out early in this one. Bellflower would walk, Jade Dowdy would reach on an error and Black would single to load the bases with nobody out. A single from Manning would give Dodge a 1-0 lead. Jacey Dowdy would drive in Powell, who was running for Jade Dowdy, and Black for a 3-0 Dodge lead. Lann would knock in Manning with a single for a 4-0 lead. Bellflower would single home the final run of the inning for a 6-0 Dodge game after the top of the first.
Jade Dowdy got the start on the mound for the Lady Indians. The Lady Falcons got a couple of runs back in the bottom of the second, and the Dodge lead was 6-2.
Dodge would answer back in the third. The Lady Indians got a pair of RBI’s from Black and Manning, and the lead was back to 8-2.
Dodge added to the lead in the fourth. With two out, Maxwell doubled, and she would score on a single from Jenna Hickman for a 9-2 lead. The lead remained 9-2 going into the seventh on a stormy night. Maxwell singled and stole second. She scored on a single from Bellflower for a 10-2 game.
A two-out single from Black scored Bellflower for an 11-2 game. Manning would triple to score Black, and she would score on an error for a 13-2 lead. Dodge had to sit through a weather delay in the bottom of the seventh but had no problem, as the final would be 13-2.
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