Wolverines Advance to Second Round of Playoffs
By EDDY GIFFORD
Sports Writer
Photo by Eddy Gifford – Demetrius Walker scored a pair of touchdowns Friday night against the Mt. Pisgah Patriots as they dominated the visitors from Johns Creek to advance to the next round of the playoffs.
The Dade County Wolverine football team hosted its first-round playoff game last Friday night against the Mt. Pisgah Christian Patriots from Johns Creek.
The Patriots came in as the third seed from region 6A-D1 with a 4-6 overall record and looking to upset the Wolverines who were making their third straight playoff appearance.
The game started with an exchange of punts, but on their second possession of the game, the Wolverines put together a 66-yard drive that ended with a Landon Williams touchdown run of three yards. The Caroline Tremmier kick put the Wolverines on top 7-0 with 48.3 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
On Mt. Pisgah’s next possession, a bad snap on fourth down gave Dade the ball at the Patriot 12-yard line. Williams picked up his second touchdown of the night on a 10-yard run and the Abigale Tremmier kick put them on top 14-0 with 11:35 remaining in the first half.
Mt. Pisgah went three and out and the Wolverines were back in business with 10:02 remaining in the first half. Dade moved the ball down field scoring again with a short pass from Bryson Shrader to Demetrius Walker for the touchdown. With a bad snap on the extra-point and the kick was blocked, the Wolverine’s lead was now 20-0 with 6:47 remaining in the first half.
Dade County’s defense stopped the Patriots again and the offense started their next drive from the 46-yard line with 5:32 remaining in the first half. The drive ended when Shrader threw to Braydan Jones for another touchdown. The Caroline Tremmier kick put Dade County up 27-0 with 2:10 remaining in the first half.
The Patriots put together a late drive and scored with 1:23 remaining on a 30-yard pass and the kick made it 27-7 at the end of the first half.
The Wolverines took the second half kick and drove down the field, scoring again with 8:21 remaining in the third quarter on a run by Braydon Sullivan. The Wolverines then completed the two-point conversion to put them on top 35-7.
After stopping Mt. Pisgah again, the Wolverines took over on downs at the 41-yard line and drove the ball down field with Shrader scoring on a short run. The Abigale Tremmier kick was good, and Dade was up 42-7 with 3:33 remaining in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter had a running clock, but the Wolverines still managed to score again as Braden Jones found the end zone on a pass from Shrader. The Caroline Tremmier kick was good, and Dade led 49-7 with 7:51 remaining in the game.
The Wolverines claimed the big win to advance to the next round of the playoffs, their first playoff win in many years.
Williams led the offense with 17 carries for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Sullivan had 16 carries for 98 yards and one score while Shrader was 12 for 18 passing for 81 yards and three touchdowns and also ran for one score.
Walker caught four passes for 49 yards and two touchdowns, and Jones caught two passes for 12 yards and one touchdown.
The Wolverine defense had a big night holding the Patriots to -16 yards rushing and 148 yards passing.
Carter Christiansen led the defense with 11 tackles, one assist, six pass breakups; Brandon Willerson with four tackles, one assist, three pass breakups; Walker four tackles; Ryker Stanley three tackles, two tackles for loss, one pass breakup.
The Wolverines advance to the Sweet 16 and will travel to Commerce to face 10-1 Tigers with the winner advancing to the Elite Eight.
The Tigers won region eight with a 3-0 record and have played several close games during the season. Kickoff for the game has been set for 7 p.m. and tickets can be purchased at GoFan.com.
Get out and support the Wolverines as they look to extend their season!
