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Wadley wraps up win over Brantley, 21-20 Brantley try for two point and win fails
November 16, 2007: After a miraculous effort to overcome a 21 point deficit, the Brantley Bulldogs, 10-1, had just scored with 2:07 left in the game to make the score 21-20 as the Wadley Bulldogs, 10-1, held a slim one point lead. On Brantley's extra point kick it sailed to the right, but wait there was a flag on the play and a roughing the kicker had been called against the red and white Dogs from east Alabama. Brantley had another chance, and coach David Lowery and his staff called time out to discuss the situation. Brantley has the ball on the one and one/half yard line with a two point conversion needed to give the victory to the home town Bulldogs. The game certainly did not start out to the Brantley Bulldogs' fans expectations as the Wadley Bulldogs had a bizarre of good fortunes to get them in an unexpected great position. Zachary DeShawn picked off a Brantley pass and raced untouched for a touchdown from 60 yards out and a 7-0 lead at the 7:29 mark in the first quarter. Then on Brantley's next possession, it was dejavu all over again when Martevan McKissic of Wadley stepped in front of a Chase Hall's pass and ran for 41 yards and another touchdown. At this point in the game Wadley had only 3 offensive plays; yet, they had a 14-0 lead. The Bulldogs from Randolph County were not through, and with 3:08 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Tim Marable broke three tackles and raced 59 yards yet for another Wadley touchdown. It was 21-0 and the first quarter was not over. The Brantley fans were down and almost out, but not the green jersey Bulldogs. From this point on one of the hardest hitting games ever witnessed at Brantley's Bulldog Stadium developed. Brantley held Wadley scoreless the remainder of the game while they managed to get back in the game thanks to one of the most outstanding performances in Brantley football history from Anthony Gulley. All Gulley did was get Brantley's first score on a 92 yard run in the second quarter to make the score 21-7. Then in the fourth period with 5:45 left in the game, Gulley caught a Wadley punt on his own 22 yard line, and following great blocking, he raced 78 yards for a Brantley touchdown. Britt Barnes kicked his second extra point of the night to make the score 21-14. Brantley desperately needed a turnover to have a chance for the win and they got it with 3:22 left in the game. The green dawgs forced a fumble and got the loose pigskin; Brantley now had the opportunity to get the much needed score. With 2:07 seconds on the clock, Gulley took the ball around right end, checked up, and passed a beauty to Justin Wright for a 31 yard scoring play to make the score 21-20. Now, after the missed extra point and with another chance following a penalty on Wadley , Coach Lowery and his staff confers during the time out, and they decide to go for the win. The call is the right one, there is no tomorrow. Brantley has fought back gallantly after trailing 21-0. They have spent every ounce of energy that is left in their tired bodies. They do not need to go to an overtime, and with only a yard and a half away after the penalty, now was the time to go for it. The ball was given to Gulley, who else, and the Wadley defensive players hammered him at the goal line. The 2 point conversion failed, Wadley's fans erupted with cheers as the Bulldogs in red from Wadley had made one final stand that will be remembered as "The Stop". The 2nd round battle of two class 1A powerhouses in the state playoffs was over. Both teams were exhausted, both teams left it all on the playing field, yet only one could claim victory. Congratulations to Wadley for the big win as they now journey to Sweet Water to take on another group of Bulldogs. Brantley had a great year with a final record of 10-2. The Bulldogs of Brantley exceeded all expectations for the 2007 season with a team composed of a lot of young players with little experience. All these young men have answered the bell. Congratulations to the players and coaches for a wonderful season.
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