Bolles Football vs American Heritage
Bolles 21 Plantation American Heritage 13
It took an interception by Bolles defensive back Matt Barnes in the final 20 seconds of the game to give the Bulldogs their second win of the season over a stubborn Plantation American Heritage Patriots team 21-13.
For the second time this year, a team from South Florida invaded Hodges Field, undefeated, and left with a blemish on their 2008 record.
The Patriots brought a team with 28 seniors on its roster, and one that had outscored their first two opponents 59-6, into Skinner-Barco Stadium and for 47 minutes and 40 seconds gave the Bulldogs all that they could handle. It was a playoff atmosphere for the entire night.
The Patriots opened the scoring on their second possession, driving to the Bulldog three-yard line where running back Brent Singleton went into the end zone. With the extra point, it was 7-0 for the Patriots.
The Bulldogs got on the board in the second quarter with two scores of their own. The first came after driving down the field on the running of Stephen Barnett and the throwing of Chandler Carr, taking the ball to the two-yard line. Carr then faked the ball to Barnett and handed it off to Jacob Stenson who covered the final distance. Franklin Varn added the extra point and the teams were tied.
On the 'Dogs next possession, they drove to the Patriots 32-yard line, where Jawan Jamison covered the final distance around right end. With the point after, the Bulldogs took a 14-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.
After a scoreless third quarter, Barnett opened the fourth quarter with a 40-yard scamper into the end zone to give Bolles a 21-7 lead. Not to be outdone, the Patriots came back to drive down the field and score with four minutes left in the game. The extra point was wide and the Bulldogs had a 21-13 lead.
Bolles took over and were unable to move for a first down in their first two plays. Before they could get their third down play off, the officials removed the players from the field because of lightning in the area.
When play was resumed, the 'Dogs faced a third and four from their own 20-yard line. Failing to make this on fourth down, when attempting to punt, the Patriots blocked the kick on the Bulldog 20-yard line. They managed to get a first down to the Bulldog eleven, and with 40 seconds to go spiked the first down call to stop the clock. Downs two and three were incomplete passes and that set up the heroics of Barnes for his fourth down interception with 20 seconds to go and sealing the victory.
This game goes to the Bulldog defense, as they continually refused to grant the Patriots strong drives all night. They sacked the quarterback of the Patriots five times. The play of the offensive line also has to get some of the accolades as they opened holes for Jamison and Barnett. For the game, Barnett rushed 18 times for 146 yards, and Jamison carried six times for 49 yards.
The Bulldogs next host the Ribault Trojans as they start district play for the next seven weeks.