ADDISON, Ala. – The Class 1A third-ranked Addison Bulldogs (1-0) hosted the Lynn Bears in their home opener game at A.G. Hicks Stadium on Friday night. It was a county rivalry game, as well, and the house was packed. The first half looked like the Bulldogs had read their press clippings and saw their high ranking, and just assumed that they would cake walk the Bears, as they were very lackadaisical in their play and they sleepwalked through the first half, only leading 7-0. After the half, though, they turned it on and Addison turned it on and finished the night with a 35-0 victory.
The first quarter opened with Lynn getting a first down, but then having to punt. On Addison’s first play from scrimmage the ‘Dawgs turned it over on a fumble with Lynn’s Tanner Torres recovering the ball. Addison’s defense stiffened up and with a Skylar Cleghorn sack that pushed Lynn back, forcing them to go for it on fourth-and-long. Addison held, and took over at their own 16-yard line.
After Addison drove to the Bears’ 26-yard line, the ‘Dawgs fumbled it away again and this time Lynn’s Carson Odom recovered the fumble.
Lynn had their most productive drive of the night driving from their own 26-yard line down to the Bulldog 12. Bears QB Chip Crowe had passed and rushed the Bears down to the 12. The key play on the drive was Crowe hitting Bryce Baughn for 42 yards. Lynn actually scored a touchdown, but it was called back on a holding penalty. Crowe then found Jon Jordan for nine yards on fourth down but he was stopped on the Bulldog three-yard-line by a monstrous hit by a Bulldog defender.
This seemed to fire up the Addison fans and players as Addison drove 97 yards for the touchdown on the next drive. Addison star QB Elijah Roberts scrambled 38 yards for the lone ‘Dawg touchdown of the first half. Connor Lane kicked the extra point and at the 6:03 mark of the second quarter, Addison led 7-0.
The Bulldog defense stood tall again after the Bears hit a 42-yard completion, from Crowe to Caden Key, and Addison’s Joey Wilson recovered a fumble at the Bulldog 6-yard line. The half ended with the 7-0 Addison lead.
After what I can imagine was a spirited half time talk by Bulldog Head Coach Mark Hastings, Addison came out and played remarkably better in the third. The Bears tried an onside kick, but the ‘Dawgs were ready and recovered, setting the offense up in great field position at their own 48. Six plays later, Roberts hit Connor Lane for a 25-yard touchdown. Lane kicked the extra point, and with 9:08 to go in the third quarter, Addison led 14-0.
The next Bear possession ended with every defensive lineman’s dream, an interception. Lynn’s Crowe dropped back to pass and threw the football over the middle. The only problem was that it hit Addison DL Cory Frock right in the chest. Frock was aware enough to pin the ball to his chest and had his interception. Congrats, Mr. Frock.
Six plays later, Addison cashed it in as Zane Smith ran it in from seven yards out for the touchdown. Lane’s extra point was good, and with 4:10 left in the third Addison led 21-0.
The remainder of the third quarter was just an exchange of possessions until Addison had Roberts run it in from three yards out for another touchdown. Lane hit the extra point and with 9:52 to go in the game, Addison had sealed up the game 28-0.
After forcing a Lynn punt, Roberts on the first play of the drive went around left end and scampered 58 yards for another touchdown. Lane kicked the extra point and with 6:58 left in the fourth; Addison extended its lead to 35-0, which is how the game would end.
Addison moved to 2-0 and will travel to Waterloo to open their region play. Lynn fell to 0-1 and will travel to Pickens County to open their region play next week.
Unofficial stats:
Addison ran 37 running plays for a total of 388 total yards, with 14 passing plays for a total of 81 yards totaling 51 plays for a total of 469 total yards.
Lynn ran 27 running plays for a total of 16 yards and 16 passing plays for a total of 127 yards with a total of 43 total plays for a total of 143 total yards.
Addison had Roberts go 8-for-14 passing through the air for 81 yards with a touchdown. Â
Roberts also led Addison in rushing with 18 carries for 209 yards and three touchdowns. Smith had eight carries for 92 yards and a touchdown and  Judah Wilkins had three carries for 37 yards. Kash Turner also had 4 carries for 35 yards.
Wilkins led in receiving with four catches for 31 yards. Lane had one catch for 25 yards and a touchdown, Joey Wilson had one catch for six yards. Major Snoddy had one catch for eight yards.
On defense, Addison was led by Scout Flynn and Wilson with five tackles each. Lane, Skylar Cleghorn, Snoddy and Michael Lee had four tackles each. Zane Smith, Judah Wilkins and Ben Bridges had three each.
Wilson recovered a fumble, Cleghorn had a sack and Frock had an interception.
