Powers puts final touches on 34-13 Wolverine victory

Gallatin’s defense kept all-conference running back Troy Powers out of the end zone until four minutes were left in Friday night’s GRC matchup with Maysville. It’s what Powers did in the final minutes that broke the back of a Bulldog rally and sealed a 34-13 Wolverine victory.

The Bulldogs trailed the Wolverines, 20-0, with just over a minute left in the third quarter when Wyatt Bird bounced off a pair of would-be tacklers and scored from five yards out to make it 20-6.

Gallatin gambled and failed on a fourth and three possession on the Bulldog 29-yard line, but seconds later Corbin Toney forced a fumble and Bird recovered to give the Dogs a second chance against a fourth quarter clock. Cole McBee broke a long keeper to the Maysville five-yard line and Bird took the ball in on the next play. Adrian Hernandez added the extra point that cut the Bulldog deficit to one possession.

With the Wolverines nursing a 20-13 lead, Powers became the workhorse for the offense in the game’s final five minutes. Powers, who finished with 26 carries and 195 yards, scored on runs of 15 and 20 yards to choke the Bulldog rally once and for all.

Swarming in to tackle a Wolverine runner are Grady Rains (50), Morgan McBroom (54), Caleb Boyd (9) and Patrick McNickle (66).

Penalties and turnovers dogged Gallatin’s efforts for most of the contest. The Bulldogs turned the ball over five times and received double digit penalty infractions that chipped away at the team’s momentum.

The Bulldogs continue their run through the toughest part of their schedule on Friday when they travel to Polo to take on the undefeated and state-ranked (#6) Panthers. The Panthers are also ranked #4 in Class 1 in the MoSports.com power poll. Polo, featuring senior Gunnar Martin and a punishing running game, is averaging 60 points per game on offense in contests against Orrick, Slater and South Harrison.