Indians fall to Bulldogs, finish 8-4


Thursday, November 22, 2007
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Indians fall to Bulldogs, finish 8-4

By CLAUDE VINSON
Sports Editor

Photo by Lawrence White

Behind the wall

Byhalia’s Allen Stewart (14) tries to pull away from an Aberdeen Bulldog Friday in the state playoffs and follow his blockers for additional yardage.

The gridiron Indians had advanced to the second round of the Class 3A playoffs by defeating the Humphreys County Cowboys at Byhalia on November 9. This past Friday they had to travel to Aberdeen to meet the Bulldogs who had polished off the Blue Devils of Booneville in round one.

Byhalia had first possession. They used their standard long bomb to start things; however, in this instance it wasn’t effective. The Bulldogs held and the Indians had to punt. Marquise Green was awarded a “roughing” the punter penalty. He reached the 40 on the subsequent punt.

The Bulldogs gave a handoff to Jamerson Love who was brought down at the 6. Love tried twice to stick it into the end zone but failed. Then the quarterback, Marcus Hinton, sneaked it over. The PAT was kicked by Fred Griffin and the Bulldogs had snarled first at 7-6.

The next series went bad for the Indians. They suffered two sacks and a bobbled punt which gave the Bulldogs the ball on the 18. The ’Dogs wasted no time in scoring on another sneak by the QB. Another kick and it was 14-0. The quarter ended on that note.

Photos by Lawrence White

Jarring tackle

Marquise Green (31) of Byhalia puts the hit on an Aberdeen Bulldog.

The ’Dogs used a short kick which was mishandled by the Indians. It was obvious that Aberdeen was deliberately keeping the ball away from Green, probably because of his explosiveness on kick returns.

The Bulldogs recovered the fumble but had to punt three plays later.

The Indians moved down to the 11 on a run by Green and a pass to Chris Hill. Green then caught a short screen for the score. He used the same pattern for the two- point conversion.

The Bulldogs were threatening again just before the half when Corderio Burford burst through and dumped the QB. The score was 14-8 at the break.

The Bulldogs had the ball first in the second half and Tevin Blanchard broke a long run but fumbled. The Indians covered it on the 1-yard line. In a run-out attempt, the Byhalia carrier fumbled the ball at the 4, it rolled back into the end zone where it was covered by Aberdeen. This time the home team converted for two with a pass to Ricky Bell to make it 22-8.

Byhalia’s QB, Marcus Thomas, used the option, saw a clear field and went 60 yards for six. No PAT, but it was 22-14.

Aberdeen would score two more unanswered TDs to lead 36-14.

Byhalia caused and recovered a fumble, with Green adding another six and a two-point conversion. The score was 36-22.

The Indians came right back with another Green TD, but no PAT, cutting it to 36-28.

The horn sounded to end the third quarter with the Bulldogs facing a fourth and five.

The managing officials didn’t signal a change of direction and did not start the clock and the Bulldogs picked up 20 yards on the next play. The officials then moved the ball to the other end, changing directions for the teams, and awarded the Bulldogs the 20 yards which they had acquired illegally during their error. This gave the ball to Aberdeen on the 11-yard line. They scored and would tack on another one to add up to a final score of 50-28.

Leading his team
Coach Devin Rutherford give some instructions to a group of Indians.

The Byhalia Indians’ head coach, Devin Rutherford, said he was told by the referee that there was no right of redress.

Rutherford, completing his second season, plus his coaching staff and players are to be congratulated for the outstanding job they have done this season. The supporting fans are to be commended also for their supporting diligence.

Byhalia, which just renewed varsity football in 2002 after a 20-year absence, finishes the successful, record-breaking season at 8-4.

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