PCHS defeats Slocomb in final minutes Tuesday
Published 3:00 am Wednesday, September 16, 2015
The Pike County JV Bulldogs received a late touchdown by Rashad Reynolds in the game’s final minutes to defeat Slocomb Tuesday night 6-3.
The win for the Bulldogs improves their record to 2-1 for the season.
The first half of the game was a low-scoring affair that featured long sustaining drives that ultimately ended with just three points on a 30-yard field goal by the Red Tops.
In the first half Slocomb had drives that featured 11 plays and four plays while the Bulldogs drives consisted of four plays, 11 plays and four plays.
“We started out flat again. We just have to figure out a way to get the momentum started earlier in the game,” said Bulldogs head coach Chad Mansmann. “It’s extremely important to finish drives. Both defenses did a tremendous job tonight. We just have to find a way to just finish drives and that’s something that we will be working on this week.”
In the second drive of the game, both teams made big plays that were negated by two big penalties. The Red Tops were able to run for a 15-yard touchdown but was called back after a holding call on the Bulldogs.
Later in that drive, Reynolds intercepted a pass that was negated by a roughing the pass penalty on the Bulldogs.
The biggest plays in the first half by the Bulldogs came from the arm of quarterback Jayden Wilson who connected with Jordan Starks from 15-yards out.
With Slocomb up 3-0 heading into the second half, the Red Tops came out throwing the ball in the third quarter. Slocomb completed a pass in their opening drive for 15 yards, which gave them a first down. The Red Tops ultimately had to punt after penalties halted their drive.
The Bulldogs responded with another fairly good drive that ended after a failed fourth down conversion after a pass was dropped, giving the Red Tops possession once again.
Both teams’ defenses stood tall until the game’s final minutes. The Bulldogs retained possession around midfield before Darian Starks rushed the ball for 40 yards, setting up the Bulldogs for the game’s final score.
With time running out, Reynolds took the handoff from Wilson and scampered for a 16-yard touchdown to give the Bulldogs the lead and the win.
“It’s much better being on the winning side, of course,” Mansmann said. “All the guys are still trying to figure out some things. We still have a lot of work to do but we are getting better.
The Bulldogs will travel to Goshen Tuesday to take on the Eagles. Kick off is scheduled for 6 p.m.
“We are going to have to be able to finish drives a lot better and see if we can’t get some momentum earlier in the ballgame,” Mansmann said.