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August 31, 2007: The Brantley Bulldogs
started the 2007 season in high style with a 34-8 win over the 3A
Elba Tigers at Elba Friday night. While the Bulldogs acquired their
45th win in the their last 46 regular season games, head coach David
Lowery, the all-time winningest coach in Brantley's history, reached
a personal milestone as he picked up his 100th career win against 28
losses. His overall winning percentage is 78.13, and his Brantley
record is an outstanding 88-18 for an 83.02 winning percentage.
After having lost 17 seniors from the 2006 team, many people did not
know what to expect from this bunch of "Dawgs"; however,
they were soon given a hopefull view of the future with some hard
nose play by Brantley. The Brantley fans had to be pleased with the
Bulldogs' performance in the opening game of the 2007 season.
Brantley took the opening kick off and relentlessly drove for a
touchdown by pounding the Tigers defensive front. Anthony Gulley
scored from 4 yards out with 9:17 to go in the opening period. Britt
Barnes, a newcomer to the Bulldog squad, added the PAT and the score
was 7-0.
Brantley's defensive unit took their turn with a stellar effort
against the Tigers offense and got the ball back. The Bulldogs'
offensive team started what appeared to be another scoring drive when
the lights went out, literally. Play was halted for 45 minutes until
the lights could be restored. The delay didn't slow down Brantley as
they marched for another score. Justin Wright was hit at the goal
line and the ball was jarred loose by the Tigers. Roy-L Knighten was
"Johnny on the Spot" for the Bulldogs as he recovered the
loose ball for Brantley's second touchdown. The PAT was again kicked
by Barnes.
With no other scoring in the first half, the second half saw Brantley
get a big break when Elba fumbled the second half kick-off. From that
point the Bulldogs drove for their 3rd TD behind some good offensive
line play of Dusty Gooden, Dillion Motes, Chase Haws, and Jared Hall.
Power runner Terrell Burnett slammed it over from 4 yards out at the
8:09 mark in the 3rd period. The point after failed to make the score 20-0.
Brantley's defense, sparked by Westley Spivey and Dexter Daniels,
forced the Tigers to punt on the following possession. With 7:25 left
in the 3rd period, Gulley caught the punt, made a couple of nifty
moves, and then took off on a beautiful run for 61 yards and another
Bulldog score. Barnes added the point and it was 27-0.
Brantley's final score came with only :51 seconds in the 3rd quarter
on a determined 3 yard run by Derek Holley, a sophomore running back.
Barnes kicked his 4th extra point of the night for a 34-0 Brantley lead.
Brantley played well tonight with few penalties and no turnovers.
Chase Hall was steady at quarterback with Gulley, Burnett, and Holley
getting most of the carries. Roy-L Knighten had an outstanding
defensive game with a pass interception and a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
Elba managed to score with 3:11 left in the game on a nice pass play
for a final score of 34-8.
Brantley travels to Pleasant Home next week.
for
photos click here
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