The wounded and struggling Albany Warriors bore the brunt of Gallatin’s hunger to get back into the win column last Friday night.
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The wounded and struggling Albany Warriors bore the brunt of Gallatin’s hunger to get back into the win column last Friday night. The Bulldogs jumped on the Warriors early and often and turned a dominating performance on both sides of the ball into a 47-0 blowout victory.
Now that September and its difficult GRC schedule are over, the Bulldogs look to build on last week’s success. Gallatin, 2-3, hosts winless Maysville this week in a game that won’t affect the conference standings at the top, but is nonetheless a pivotal game for the Bulldogs. The Bulldogs, under 2nd year head coach Mark Cole, have yet to win on back-to-back Friday nights. A win would also even their season record at 3-3 as district play inches closer and closer.
“I feel relieved that we won while playing well,” Bulldog coach Mark Cole commented. “Our kids are feeling the excitement and anticipation of this week’s upcoming game and the games to come,” he added.
Albany took to the field Friday night with a shuffled lineup, and moved more people around after the game began. Sophomore starting quarterback Travis Girratono suffered a concussion against Mid-Buchanan and could be out for 3 weeks. Junior runningback J. R. Anthony was absent after injuring his neck in practice a week ago. Sophomore runningback Cody Barry also left the Mid- Buchanan game with an injury.
Sophomore Brad Cottrill started at quarterback against the Bulldogs but quickly gave way to senior Steve Shisler after the first series of downs. Shisler had been moved from runningback to tight end a week earlier. Sophomore Sean McGhee moved from wide receiver to runningback to replace Barry. Senior Phil Youngclaus moved from tight end to tackle to bolster the Warrior line.
While building a 21-0 lead in the 1st quarter last Friday, the Bulldogs held the Warriors to zero net yards and no first downs. Gallatin’s offense generated 10 plays in the 1st quarter that covered at least 10 yards and served as a preview of things to come. The Bulldogs finished the night with 331 yards on 31 carries for an average of 10.6 yards per carry. The Warriors found a way to run the ball more–44 times–but gained less–105 yards, for a 2.3 average. The Warriors failed to complete either of their two pass attempts.
Six different Bulldogs, ranging from seniors to freshmen, scored. Fullback Tyler Nichols packed the ball 13 times for a season-high 175 yards and found the end zone twice. Quarterback Duke Burge connected on scoring passes to Kyle Hefley and Pat Dickinson. Halfback Drayson Leeper
hit paydirt in the second quarter after returning a punt 39 yards to the Warrior one-yard line. Freshman backup quarterback Nic Burrell ran an option play 79 yards for a score in the 3rdquarter. Freshman runningback Zac Bradley rambled 43 yards for a touchdown with 24 seconds left in the game.
“It was good to get those kids some playing time,” Coach Cole said. “We have moved the ball well at times, but struggled, too, in jayvee games, so I wanted to get our jayvee backs in a little with the varsity line,” he added. “They looked pretty sharp.”
Wolverines not taken lightly
On one hand, Maysville has been outscored 238 to 33 in its 5 losses. On the other hand, Wolverine opponents to date have a combined record of 19-6. Likely, the Wolverines are breathing a sigh of relief this week as they, too, see an opportunity.
“They are kind of like we were last year,” said Coach Cole. “I didn’t feel then like our record was indicative of the kind of team we were, and I’m sure they are feeling the same way now,” he added. “A year ago, we were playing a lot of sophomores and inexperienced kids, along with playing some great competition. They are doing the same thing right now.”
Maysville losses have come in non-conference play against the KCI Conference’s West Platte, Mid-Buchanan and East Buchanan, and in the GRC against South Harrison and Hamilton.
The Wolverines have an able quarterback in senior Jesse Erickson (6-2,185). As their best overall athlete, Erickson also garners plays at runningback and wide receiver. Sophomore receiver Matt Jundy (5-11,160) has piled up yardage after catches. Senior Kyle Robinson (6-5,185) blocks well at tight end and is a physical and hard to block defensive lineman.
Coach Cole expects another quality effort from the Bulldogs and believes he knows where the game will be won or lost.
“We should be more physical than they are up front,” Cole remarked. “I think that is going to be the difference in the game.”