Wolverines Come Up Short In Hard Fought Battle With Darlington’s Tigers
By EDDY GIFFORD
Sports Writer
Photo by Eddy Gifford – Landon Williams broke several tackles on his way to the end zone in action last Friday night against the Darlington Tigers in Rome. The running back had 124 rushing yards in the game along with this touchdown. The Wolverines will be at home Friday night to face the Trion Bulldogs at 7:30 p.m.
The Dade County Wolverine football team traveled to Rome on Friday to face the Darlington Tigers in the first region game of the season.
The Tigers came into the game with a 2-2 record while the Wolverines came into the game with a record of 1-3.
Dade County kicked to the Tigers to start the game and forced a three and out. On the Wolverines’ first possession, they also had a three and out and had to punt.
Darlington moved the ball but fumbled, and the Wolverines recovered with 6:25 remaining in the first quarter. The Wolverines had a touchdown called back on a holding penalty with just over five minutes remaining in the first quarter but regrouped and continued to drive the football.
With 1:49 remaining in the first quarter, quarterback Bryson Shrader found a wide-open Demetrius Walker for a 35-yard touchdown pass to put the Wolverines on top 6-0. The extra point try was no good due to a bad snap.
At the end of the first quarter, Dade County led 6-0.
The Tigers scored their first touchdown with 6:07 remaining in the second quarter and the extra point put them on top 7-6.
On Darlington’s next possession after a Wolverine punt, they scored on a 53-yard run where the Wolverines missed several tackles. The extra point try was blocked, and the Tigers took a 13-6 lead with 4:21 remaining in the first half.
In the third quarter, Ryker Stanley intercepted a Tiger pass, giving the Wolverines good field position. They cashed in with 3:41 remaining in the quarter on an eight-yard touchdown run by Braylon Sullivan. The Abigal Tremmier extra point tied the game 13-13.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Wolverines’ Harley Russell kicked a 29-yard field goal giving them a 16-13 lead with 11:16 remaining in the game.
Darlington then returned the Wolverine kickoff for a touchdown, and they regained the lead with 10:53 remaining in he game, 20-16.
Dade came right back and with 7:39 remaining in the game, Landon Williams went up the middle for another touchdown. Another bad snap on the extra point try left the Wolverines up 22-20.
On the Tigers’ next possession, they scored again on a 19-yard pass play and the two-point conversion was good giving them the lead 28-22 with 3:49 remaining.
The Wolverines were unable to move the ball on the next possession and punted to the Tigers who were then able to run out the clock and took a hard fought 28-22 win.
Dade fought to the end but fell just short, racking up 221 yards rushing and 57 yards passing in the game.
Sullivan had 26 carries for 103 yards and a touchdown while Williams had 19 carries for 124 yards and a touchdown. Shrader completed three of four passes for 57 yards and a touchdown. Walker had one reception for 34 yards and a touchdown.
Dade County was penalized four times for 30 yards, a big improvement from previous games.
The defense was led by Jax Guinn with ten tackles, one quarterback sack, and two caused fumbles; Carter Christiansen had seven tackles, one assist, one tackle for loss, and one pass breakup; Levi Raines with five tackles; Sullivan had four tackles, one tackle for loss, three assists; Williams had four tackles, and two assists; Ryker Stanley with four tackles, one assist, and one interception.
The Wolverines will be at home this week when they host the Trion Bulldogs at 7:30 p.m. The Bulldogs are 4-0 and did not play last week so this will be their first region game of the season.
Get out and support the Wolverines and fill the stands!
