The Pilot, page 6
Gardner-Webb
Bulldogs
SPORTS
Bulldogs
Tame Lions
By R. Shawn Lewis
After last week's
impressive 31-14 victory over
Presbyterian, Gardner-Webb's
hopes for a winning season were
higher than ever as the Runnin'
Bulldogs traveled to Mars Hill
to take on the Lions. A victory
for Gardner-Webb would assure
the Bulldogs a winning season,
their fourth in the past five
years. But, first the Bulldogs
had to tame the Lions.
Mars Hill came into the
game with the second-ranked
defense in the SAC-8, an honor
which they earned on Saturday.
In a game that saw sluggish
offenses on both sides, the
Bulldogs' first two drives of
the contest stalled and punter
Darren Wilson was forced to show
his wares. Wilson's second punt
was downed on the Mars Hill 2-
yard line and the Gardner-Webb
defense was called on to hold
the Lions at bay. And that they
did. On Mars Hill's first play
of the possession, an errant
lateral from quarterback Jeff
Bailey in the endzone led to the
first score of the game, a
safety. Bulldogs 2, Mars Hill
0.
After the safety, freshman
quarterback Bobby Boggan marched
the Bulldogs down the field,
completing 6 of 7 passes on a
drive that culminated with
Boggan hurdling 3 Mars Hill
defenders and into the endzone.
Jeff Parker added the extra
point to make the score Bulldogs
9, Mars Hill 0.
Mars Hill was not about to
lay down, however. A victory
would keep them in the hunt for
the SAC-8 title. If that was not
enough incentive, the game would
also be the final home game for
the Lions' seniors. Realizing
these, the Lions came roaring
back, using a ball control drive
that ate away at the Bulldog
defense. The drive came to
climax when Elijah Askew, a
freshman running back, scored
on a touchdown run with 10:49
left in the first half. Bulldogs
9, Mars Hill 7.
The ensuing Gardner-Webb
drive stalled and Mars Hill was
once again on the attack. Using
same ball control offense that
led to their first score, the
Lions moved down the field.
However, the Bulldog defense
would stand the test this time.
Bulldog defensive back James
Ingram leaped high in the
endzone to bat down a Mars Hill
third down scoring effort. On
came Chris Jones, senior
placekicker for the Lions, to
attempt a 39-yard field goal.
The kick went wide to the right
and the Bulldogs withstood the
test.
The third quarter saw the
Runnin' Bulldogs' offensive
attack struggle early,
especially on the ground. Third
and 16, third and 2 3 were just
a few examples of the Bulldogs'
stalled offense. Late in the
quarter, though, the Bulldogs
got their offense rolling. Coach
Woody Fish, searching for a
firestarter, gambled on a fake
punt on fourth and short. Dunsey
Harper, former Shelby High
standout, snuck through the
bewildered Lions defense and to
the first down. On the very next
play, quarterback Bobby Boggan
went long to receiver Rodney
Robinson. Robinson could not
catch the pass, but defensive
pass interference was called on
the play. The penalty opened the
door for a Gardner-Webb score.
Bobby Boggan, playing just his
second game as a starter, scored
his fourth rushing touchdown of
the season on a 9-yard keeper.
Bulldogs 16, Mars Hill 7.
The Lions were not ready
to quit for the afternoon.
however. After an interception.
Mars Hill scored on a 13-yard
TD run by Jonathan Byars.
Bulldogs 16, Mars Hill 14.
Gardner-Webb appeared
headed for another score when
All-American running back
Darrell Middleton broke loose
and into the clear. Middleton
ran 4 0 yards down the field
before fumbling the ball on the
Mars Hill 15, on what many
observers thought was a
facemask.
Late third quarter and most
of the fourth quarter was the
scene of probably the Bulldogs'
best defense of the year. Though
Mars Hill kept the ball in
Bulldog territory much of the
time, the Bulldogs held time and
time again playing with
inspiration and perspiration.
With the clock winding
down. Mars Hill coach Felton
Stephens called on placekicker
Chris Jones, who had missed two
field goals already, to win the
game. In a show of confidence
in Jones, Stephens let the clock
wind down to 6 seconds, and then
gave him the nod. Jones lined
up, kicked, and watched as the
ball hit the right upright,
bounced down and hit the
crossbar, and fell into the
endzone, killing the Lions hopes
with it. Final score Bulldogs
16, Mars Hill 14. The victory
raised Gardner-Webb' s record to
6-4 (4-3 SAC-8).
For the Bulldogs, Darrell
Middleton ran for 113 yards,
raising his school-record to
3,823 yards. Darrell needs 177
yards to reach 4,000 yards in
his career, a mark that only
the best can attain. Jeff
Parker, ranked third all-time
in NAIA history for number of
field goals, needs 4 fields to
tie the all-time record held by
Tim Saiz of New Mexico
Highlands.
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