Dawgs warm up for deep playoff run
PHOTOS BY LISA McGINTY | LMc Photography
Dalton’s Brady Hignight
Dalton’s Coy Wenger
Bulldogs soar over Blue Jays in Round One
By ZACH McFARREN
DGKN sports writer
DALTON Jackson Milton entered the postseason with a winning record. The Blue Jays came into McFarren Field upset minded and ready to get after it.
Then the game started. The Bulldogs took the field. And things got out of control very quickly.
In what seemed like more of a scrimmage than a high school playoff game, Dalton cruised to a 62-7 victory, advancing to the next round next week back in Dalton.
In all, the Dawgs scored nine touchdowns. Offensively, Dalton scored through the air and on the ground. Quarterback Colin Pearson threw for three touchdowns while accumulating 180 yards on 10 of 14 passing. Brady Hignight, Coy Wenger, and Greyson Siders each scored via the air. Cade Mullet paced the receivers, totaling 69 yards on three receptions
On the ground, Dalton was equally as lethal. Siders, Cade Mullet, Ethan Stutz, and Sammy Tomlinson all put points on the board, scoring on runs of 75, 1, 3, and 6. Siders led all carriers with 128 yards on seven totes.
Not to be outdone, Dalton’s defense added two touchdowns. Defensive end Collin Jones came close to intercepting several Blue Jay passes. And once he did, he found wide open space as he sprinted 60 yards for the score. Cameron Gazboda added the final score of the evening for Dalton, taking his own pick six to put the home team up 62-0.
With so many teams now making the playoffs, several first round games are anything but competitive.
Dalton put 49 points on the board before halftime, ensuring a second half running clock while putting to bed any drama that Jackson Milton hoped to produce.
In the end, the Dawgs totaled 415 yards to the Blue Jays 144. Dalton’s defense dominated, forcing six turnovers and four punts. Simply put, JM was outmatched. A well balanced Bulldog overwhelmed and dominated every facet of the game.
To be sure, beginning this Friday night, the games will become much more interesting and more evenly matched. The Dawgs are taking nothing for granted as they roll deeper into the OHSAA playoffs.
