Unbeaten ’Dogs host Wolves

No. 7 DeLand 7-0 after NSB win

By Roger Gilmore
BEACON SPORTS EDITOR

posted Oct 22, 2009 - 12:29:23pm

The shutout streak ended after three-and-three-quarter games for the DeLand Bulldogs here in Spec Martin Memorial Stadium Friday night, but the undefeated streak was stretched to seven games with a 30-6 triumph over the New Smyrna Beach Barracudas in a non-district clash.

It will be back to the important district race here Friday at 7 p.m., when the Deltona Wolves invade the area for the annual Battle of the Bone. The ’Dogs will put their 2-0 District 2-6A record on the line with their overall 7-0 mark against the Wolves, with 1-0 and 2-4 marks, respectively.

All the district games are important, as the winner gets to stay home for the opening round of the playoffs, while the runners-up will be on the road. This will be the third district game for the ’Dogs, while the Daytona Beach Mainland Bucs are 1-0 in the district, and play Pine Ridge Friday, and Deltona the following week.

On paper, it looks as though both the ’Dogs and Bucs will be 3-0 in the district going into their showdown game Nov. 6 at Daytona Beach Municipal Stadium.

Victory No. 7

Friday night, the ’Dogs scored in every quarter for their 30-6 win, and although they were scored on for the first time in 15-straight periods, the defense was sharp. A 39-yard pass play in a fourth and 6, with 8:25 left in the game, put the ’Cudas on the scoreboard.

The game started about 20 minutes late, with lightning in the area. After a pass interception on their second play of the game, the ’Dogs came back quickly when they got the ball back. Shontrelle Johnson exploded for 65 yards to the NSB first play, and two plays later, Pop Saunders hit the end zone from 10 yards for his first of three TDs. Taylor Church tacked on the PAT.

Saunders then came up with an interception, and the ’Dogs were back in business. Johnson broke loose for an apparent 40-yard TD, but it was erased by a penalty, and the ’Dogs punted.

As the second period opened, the ’Cudas fumbled the ball into the end zone for a 2-point safety, and a 9-0 DHS lead. On the next series, the ’Cudas held and took over. The ’Cudas had a loose ball on a lateral, with defensive ace Dentrell Pate gobbling it up at the 27, and carrying it in for the TD. With 1:42 left in the half, Church made it, 16-0.

The second half opened with the ’Cudas having to punt. Saunders gathered in the punt at his 35, and with some colorful moves, returned the 65 yards for his second TD of the game. This time, Hunter Haire converted.

NSB recovered a DHS fumble as the fourth period opened, and moved in for the score quickly.

The ’Dogs countered quickly, using 11 plays to cover 69 yards, with Saunders recording another 10-yard TD for his 13th of the season. Again, Haire got the PAT.

Saunders and Johnson both surpassed the century mark on the ground, while the ’Dogs pretty well shut down the offense of the ’Cudas, although Freddie Howe accounted for some 57 yards of the team’s 87 yards. The Big D for the ’Dogs was spearheaded by Pate, along with Paris Hayden, plus a number of others who recorded some outstanding licks throughout the game, while gang-tackling was featured most of the time.

— info@beacononlinenews.com

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