Bulldogs Fall in Heartbreaker
Garrison Trips Crockett, 38-32
By Kelly Nicol
Messenger Editor
CROCKETT – Last Friday night, Crockett faced off against the Garrison Bulldogs at Monte Jack Driskell Stadium. It was a high scoring, back and forth affair, but unfortunately Crockett ended up on the short end of 38-32 final score.
The Bulldogs came out strong on defense to start the game and forced a quick three-and-out. On the punt attempt #3 Jakecian Jones broke through the line and blocked the kick. Courtney Byrd recovered the ball for Crockett and walked into the end zone for the Bulldogs first score. The extra point was added by #23 Omar Garcia which made the score 7-0 and accounted for all the points in the first quarter.
Special teams were a huge factor on both sides of the ball all night which is how Garrison got on the board with their first score. Crockett was lined up for a field goal (after a questionable no call for pass interference and a touchdown reception by #15 Ty White that was called back on a penalty) with 8:39 left in the half when Garrison came through and blocked the attempt which was recovered and run in for the touchdown, tying the game at seven.
Following an exchange of possessions, Garrison got the ball back then drove down the field and scored on a Sebastian Porter, Jr. 26-yard touchdown run to put Garrison ahead 14-7. Porter was a bull all night and came into the season as a highly touted talent scoring 40+ touchdowns last season.
On Crockett’s next series of downs, the Bulldogs marched right down the field and #27 A’myron Dixon punched it in from a yard out. The TD was set up after Allen Horace drug several Garrison defenders inside the one.
After Crockett tied the game at 14, Garrison took over at their own 20 with 1:09 left in the half. On the first play from scrimmage, #22 Porter Jr. took it 80 yards up the left side for another Garrison touchdown. While the extra point attempt failed, Garrison still took a 20-14 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The special teams bug bit the Dogs again to start the second half as Garrison executed an onside kick to perfection. The maroon Bulldogs were able to take advantage of the special teams play as they drove the ball down the field and scored on a 3 yard run to push the Garrison lead to 12.
The Bulldogs would strike back quickly, however, as #2 Jordan Bedford connected with #7 Shannon Bacon on a TD pass. The extra point was no good but the Bulldogs had cut the lead to 26-20.
In the next series for Garrison, the Bulldogs pinned Garrison deep in their territory and #9 Tre’von Hawkins stepped in front of a Garrison pass and took it to the house for a pick six.
Garcia missed the extra point, but as the third quarter came to an end, the Crockett had tied the game at 26.
Following a Garrison possession, Crockett would finally regain the lead after quarterback Jordan Bedford scored on a keeper to make it 32-26.
Garrison responded by driving the field and scoring on a 10 yard touchdown run to tie the game at 32.
The Bulldogs would have one more opportunity to put the game away. They swiftly moved down the field but the offense stalled and with 1:09 left in the game elected to attempt a 42 yard field goal.
The kick fell short and into the waiting hands of #22 Sebastian Porter, Jr. who took the rock back 108 yards for touchdown.
The Bulldogs would not have enough time to get the ball down the field and lost 38-32. Crockett will travel to Grapeland this Friday night to clash with the in-county rival Grapeland Sandies. The Sandies fell short last season but will come into the contest 2-0 and ranked #2 in Class 2A looking to avenge last year’s loss.
