Bulldogs keep rolling with a 20-14 win over Abbeville
Published 11:22 pm Friday, September 28, 2018
- Messenger Photo/Jonah Enfinger Rayshawn secures the football in wet conditions against Abbeville on Friday night in Brundidge.
Riding a three game win streak, Pike County hosted the undefeated Abbeville Yellow jackets on Friday night and extended that streak to four with a 20-14 win.
Pike County’s Rayshawn Reynolds gave the rainy night a quick bolt of lightning by taking a toss 35 yards around the edge for a score on the Bulldogs’ second play of the game. Abbeville blocked the extra point, giving Pike County an early 6-0 lead.
The remainder of the opening quarter featured plenty of action, but no more scoring.
Pike County blocked an Abbeville punt but the Jackets recovered for a fresh set of downs. They proceeded to march down the field, but stalled inside the 10 and turned the ball over on downs.
Just a few plays later, a high snap by Pike County was recovered by Abbeville and the Jackets took over in the redzone.
Just on the inside of the second quarter, Abbeville punched it in from five yards out. A failed two point conversion left the game tied at six.
At this point in the game, Abbeville had run 24 plays to Pike County’s four.
The game’s next two drives ended with a turnover on downs and an interception. After a failed fourth down attempt in its own territory late in the half, the Jackets forced a fumble and returned it all the way back for a touchdown. A successful two point conversion gave Abbeville a 14-6 lead.
The first half ended when a halfback toss was picked off by the Jackets deep in Abbeville territory.
The Bulldogs went into the locker room with four turnovers. Reynolds led Pike County with 78 rushing yards on 10 carries. The rest of the team had just 10 total yards.
Just like the first half, the second half started with a bang. Reynolds took the first handoff of the third quarter 36 yards and a horse collar tackle added a few more yards.
A quarterback sneak by Jaidyn Wilson added six points to the Pike County scoreboard but a failed two point conversion left the Bulldogs behind 14-12.
Abbeville’s fake punt at midfield of the next possession failed, setting up the Bulldogs in good field position.
Pike County capitalized by going on its longest drive of the game. It was topped off by another one yard Wilson keeper. The two point conversion was successful, giving Pike County a 20-14 lead.
That’s where the score sat when the final quarter came around with the Bulldogs back in possession.
The game went into a stalemate for much of the fourth quarter when neither team was able to finish a drive.
A late fourth down stop by Pike County with just a minute and a half remaining was enough to seal win number four for the Bulldogs.
Reynolds finished the game with 135 rushing yards and a touchdown.
Pike County lost the turnover battle 5-1 yet only allowed 14 points. Bulldog coach Fred Holland gave props to his defense for holding firm.
“We made more plays (on defense) than we did last week,” Holland said following the game. “I’m proud of the guys for making plays and making some stops.”
Pike County hosts Providence Christian next Friday at 7:00.