Bulldogs blank Abbeville, 57-0
Published 11:13 pm Friday, September 4, 2015
The Pike County Bulldogs rolled to their second consecutive shutout on Friday, defeating region foe Abbeville 57-0.
“I saw some good things tonight as well as some things that we need to work on,” said Bulldogs head coach Fred Holland. “I am proud of the guys for playing and I’m extremely excited that everyone got the opportunity to play tonight. They played extremely well tonight, and I am extremely proud of them.”
The Bulldogs scored early and often on Friday, continuing their momentum from last week’s 53-0 defeat of Goshen last week. The ever-dangerous Bulldog running attack started on their opening drive of the game.
After the Yellow Jackets opened up the game with a three-and out, the Bulldogs took possession at their own 39-yard line. The Bulldogs had a couple big plays by running back Deshon Cowling on the ground. Cory Batie capped the drive on a 35-yard touchdown scamper, giving the Bulldogs an early 6-0 lead. The PAT missed wide left.
![Pike County High School's Xavier Newson carries the ball during the Bulldogs' 57-0 shutout of Abbeville on Friday night.](https://www.troymessenger.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2015/09/0905web.PCHS-photo-1.jpg)
Pike County High School’s Xavier Newson carries the ball during the Bulldogs’ 57-0 shutout of Abbeville on Friday night.
The Yellow Jackets suffered a second straight three-and-out on their next drive, forcing a punt deep within their own territory. With the Yellow Jacket punter pinned deep, the snap flew over his head and went into the end zone. The ball was picked up by the punter who attempted to run the ball out. The Bulldogs defense pounced and brought down the punter at the 6-yard line. Kamari Jackson punched the ball into the end zone to give the Bulldogs the 12-0 lead.
The Bulldogs had a couple of long drives, including one late in the second quarter. After a seven-play drive that started on the Abbeville 45-yard line, Cowling ran the ball into the end zone from the 7-yard line to break the game open at 18-0.
A 31-yard touchdown pass off the arm of senior quarterback Jerrell Lawson and hauled in by Jackson gave the Bulldogs the 24-0 lead heading into the half.
It was the Cowling show in the opening drive of the third quarter. Cowling rushed the ball five times for 50 yards. Batie finished the drive with a 20-yard touchdown reception.
Cowling scored this third touchdown of the game on a third and long after Lawson connected with him on a screen pass, which he broke for a 64-yard touchdown to extend the Bulldogs lead out to 37-0.
After a sluggish start throwing the ball in the preseason matchup with Charles Henderson, Lawson has continued to improve and the deep ball is becoming a weapon for the Bulldogs.
“He is a great kid who works hard in all aspects of his game,” Holland said. “Tonight was another example of him working hard and showing some of things he has been doing.”
The Bulldogs put the game away early in the third quarter rotated in reserve players for the remainder of the game.
After Jackson added another touchdown, Jahzarian Lampley rushed for two touchdowns to close out the scoring for Pike County.
Cowling led the Bulldogs in rushing Friday finishing with more than 100 yard rushing and scoring two touchdowns.
Jackson also had a good night finishing with over 100 yards of total offense.
In the first two regular season games the Bulldogs have yet to give up a touchdown.
“They are coming together. We are working some things to try and prevent people from scoring,” Holland said. “It will get tougher as we go along, but I am proud of their effort they are showing right now.”
The Bulldogs will once again be home next week when Dale County comes to Bulldog Stadium. Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m.