PREP FOOTBALL: Bulldogs rally to defeat Lamar County 42-27

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The Addison Bulldogs came from behind to defeat Lamar County 42-27 Thursday night. (Photo courtesy of Cindy Luker)

ADDISON, Ala. – Addison hosted the Lamar County Bulldogs in a huge region matchup rife with playoff implications. Addison sleepwalked thru the first half until finally waking up in the second half to come away with a big 42-27 win over Lamar County.

On Addison’s first play from scrimmage, Christian “Ice Man” Roberts was obliterated on a blindside sack and the ball came squirting out with Lamar County recovering at the Addison 7-yard line.   

It only took Lamar County one play to run it in from 7-yards out and the visitors were out in front of the home squad 7-0.

Addison quickly responded by driving down to the Lamar County’s 40-yard, and facing a third down, Roberts hit “Touchdown” Tommy Lee Daniel on a nice over the shoulder 40-yard pass to tie the score. Eli “Curly” Howse added the extra point to tie the game at 7.

Lamar County answered right back driving 77-yards on the vaunted “Dawg Pound Defense,” who played more like the “pound puppies” in the first half. Lamar County scored on a nice 14-yard run and went up 14-7 with 2:20 to go in the first quarter.

Another Addison fumble set Lamar County up with a short field, the Addison 21-yard line. Three plays later, Lamar County scored on a 16-yard touchdown pass to go up 20-7 as the Addison faithful were stunned.

Addison then dug deep and drove 56 yards, all on the ground, with Nelson “Tank” Martin scoring from 23 yards out. “Tank” is back, sooner than expected, from a knee injury suffered three weeks ago. Addison pulled within 20-14 with 7:59 to go in the half.   

Lamar County, playing inspired football, drove it right back down the Dawgs’ throats to go up 27-14. Lamar County went 63 yards in nine plays with the score coming on a 20-yard run. This is how the half ended with the score Lamar County 27, Addison 14.

Apparently, being humiliated at home was enough for one half and the Dawgs responded in a huge way. Addison dominated Lamar County, which had moved the ball at will in the first half, in the second half, never allowing it to get on track. The “Dawg Pound Defense” returned and sent the Lamar County Bulldogs back to their kennels in Vernon, Alabama.

After forcing Lamar County to punt after a three-and-out, Addison went on a 13-play, 76-yard drive which consumed more than seven minutes of the third quarter. It ended with “Tank” Martin scoring his second touchdown on a 1-yard run. The extra point made it Lamar County 27, Addison 21.

Lamar County punted again after gaining 3 yards on three plays. Addison took over and drove 65 yards on eight plays taking the lead when Weston “Big Game” Smith took it across the goal line from 3 yards out. After Howse’ four made extra points, the Dawgs went up 28-27.

The Dawg Defense then got into the act as Lamar County drove down to the Addison 41-yard line and faced a fourth-and-2. They elected to go for it and the quarterback was stuffed by Daniel to give Addison the ball.

It took Roberts only two plays before he scampered 72 yards for the dagger to the heart touchdown and gave Addison a 35-27 lead.

Lamar County’s last hope was squashed as Quentin “Fabio” Barley picked off a pass and returned it to the Lamar County 18-yard line.  

A few plays later, Roberts plowed in from 1-yard out to give Addison the final score of 42-27. Howse was 6/6 on his extra points for the evening.

Final unofficial stats: Addison had 45 carries for 306 yards and 6 pass plays for 49 yards. Addison ran 51 total plays for 355 total yards. Lamar County had 33 carries for 106 yards and 22 pass plays for 159 yards. Lamar County ran 55 total plays for 265 total yards.

Roberts had 21 carries for 201 yards and two touchdowns. Martin had seven carries for 47 yards and two touchdowns. Smith had 12 carries for 37-yards and a score.

Roberts was two completions for six attempts for 49-yards with a touchdown and interception.

Daniel had one reception for 40-yards and a score.

On defense, Justin “Rocky” Mather had eight tackles, Nelson “The Hammer” Hernandez had seven, Xavier “Mr. Smooth” Barley had five and “Fabio” Barley had four tackles. “Fabio” also had an interception.

It was a tale of two halves with Addison sleepwalking through the first and dominating in the second. A more consistent effort will be needed next week as Addison travels to Hamilton to play the 4A Aggies. Addison improves to 5-3 (4-1 region). Lamar County falls to 3-4 (2-2 region) and will play Sulligent next week hoping to secure a playoff berth.

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