Dragons Hold Bulldogs for 20 to 12 Win

September 7, 2015The Dragons took the opening kickoff and went 56 yards in 5 plays with quarterback Ta’Vion Barnes scoring the Dragons first touchdown from 4 yards out with 9:50 left in the first quarter. Dragon running back Corey Bearden accounted for 50 yards on the scoring march with an 11-yard run and a 39-yard pass reception from Barnes. With the PAT kick good the Dragons led 7 to 0.The Shelbyville Dragons and Garrison Bulldogs, two East Texas teams whose rivalry dates back over 65 years, met on a warm Friday night, September 4th in Garrison with the Dragons holding off the Bulldogs late in the game for a 20 to 12 victory.

The next Dragon score came on a two play 81-yard drive when Dragon running back Ocatvian Burrell burst through an opening and ran 78 yards for the Dragons second touchdown with 11:50 left in the second quarter. The PAT kick was again good and the Dragons led 14 to 0.

The score stayed 14 to 0 until the 7:37 point of the third quarter when Bulldog quarterback Rusty Secrest broke 29 yards through the middle of the Dragons defense for a Bulldog touchdown. The PAT kick was no good and the score was now Dragons 14, Bulldogs 6.

Following a Dragon turnover on downs at their own 21-yard line the Bulldogs scored again at the 9:55 mark of the fourth quarter when Bulldogs back Terrance Dove caught a 16-yard touchdown pass from Rusty Secrest. The Bulldog attempt for a 2-point conversion was no good and the score was Dragons 14, Bulldogs 12.

With 4:44 left in the game Dragon running back Octavian Burrell gained the Dragons a little more breathing room when he broke free up the middle on a 30-yards touchdown run. The PAT kick was blocked and the Dragons led 20 to 12.

The Bulldogs took the kickoff and in 6 plays reached the Dragons 35-yard line. At this point the Dragons defense rose to the occasion and stopped the Bulldogs on downs. The Dragons then ran out the clock in three plays to preserve their 20 to 12 victory.

The Dragons defensive front down linemen deserve much of the credit for the Dragons victory. Even though outweighed by as much as 70 pounds by the person in front of them they held their ground and filled their gaps all night.

The Dragons have next Friday off before they meet Colmesneil in Shelbyville on Homecoming night, September 18th. The Garrison Bulldogs will travel to New Diana next Friday.