Bolles Stays Undefeated with 56-16 Win over Providence
The Bolles Bulldogs middle school football team (7-0) retained its undefeated status by downing host Providence (5-1) on October 16 by a score of 56-16. The 'Dogs looked impressive and played hard from the first snap to the final seconds of the game.
Bolles assistant coach Joey Hudson heralded the contribution of the offensive line to this victory, noting starters Luke Viering, Matt Myhand, Matt Swartz, William Collier, Kyle Lemire, and Winston Jones. “This line has opened up big holes all year long and they have been totally domineering out there. This is one of the better lines I have ever worked with,” Hudson said.
The Bulldogs made it onto the scoreboard first following a 13-yard run by Jeremy Wannamaker with 3:25 left in the first quarter. The extra point was converted on a run by Hayden Hurst to put the 'Dogs up 8-0. The remainder of the first quarter was scoreless, but Bolles resumed its scoring with 7:05 left in the second quarter after an exciting 65-yard punt return for a touchdown by Cam McCurry. Rob Kelley ran in the extra point to lift the 'Dogs up 16-0.
Superb defensive play by Bolles, particularly from Wannamaker and Sam Kelley, kept Providence bogged down on its next series. After being forced to punt, the Stallions woes continued as Hurst eluded several tackles and ran in a 43-yard touchdown for the Bulldogs. A completed pass from McCurry to Viering pushed the lead to 24-0 with 4:29 left in the second quarter.
A scorching hit by the Bulldogs led to a successfully recovered onside kick at the Providence 43-yard line, and a touchdown pass from McCurry to Hurst quickly followed. It was McCurry on the keeper for the point after to put the Bulldogs up 32-0 with 4:05 remaining in the half.
Following halftime, the 'Dogs wasted little time piling more numbers onto the scoreboard. Hurst fielded the Providence kickoff at the Bulldog 35-yardline and streaked all the way to the Stallion's 29. On the next snap, Hurst handed off to Rob Kelley who bulled into the end zone with 7:32 left in the third quarter. Sam Kelley ran in the extra point for a 40-0 Bolles lead.
Providence appeared to gain some momentum on its next series after a completed 50-yard touchdown pass, but the play was called back for a holding penalty by the Stallions. The next pass from the line of scrimmage was picked off by the 'Dogs' Tommy Kelley. The Stallions did not put their first points on the board until 3:05 in the third quarter after Bolles turned the ball over on downs deep in their own territory. The score occurred on 2nd and 2 to go with a completed 13-yard pass and a successful conversion run to make the score 40-8.
The Bulldogs were not content to let that score go unanswered as Matt Morris fielded the Stallion kickoff at the Bolles 28-yardline and powered his way 72 yards downfield for a touchdown. Colby Peters handed off to David Wilf for the extra point and a score of 48-8 with 2:40 remaining in the third.
Providence put its final numbers on the board with 12 seconds remaining in the third quarter after a 37-yard touchdown run and successful point after run made it 48-16.
The final Bulldog score came after a 10-play, 44-yard drive set up by a superior kickoff return by Morris. Quarterback Connor Kaegi got excellent runs from both Wilf and Craig Walker as the 'Dogs made their final march down the field. Eddie Allen averted disaster with a fumble recovery at the Providence one-yard line and Kaegi punched it in for the score on the next snap. Wilf ran in the extra point with 2:15 to go in the game to cap the score at 56-16.
When asked how he felt after the game, Bolles head coach Tom Collins smiled, shook his head and said, “There's nothing I can say. What is appropriate to say about a middle school team who has worked as hard as they have all season? Football and a high academic expectation are taken very seriously by these kids. The confidence, the work ethic and the respect for others on the field that is taught here – well I just don't think you can put a price on that.”