Addison quarterback Zayne Guthrie ran for two touchdowns in the Bulldogs' 26-15 win over Ranburne Friday night. (Martha Needham for the Cullman Tribune)
ADDISON – The Addison Bulldogs hosted the Ranburne Bulldogs in round two of the AHSAA state playoffs Friday night, and Addison will be headed to round three after playing a physical and efficient game to win, 26-15.
The game started off well for the Blue and Gold, with Addison’s defense getting a stop on fourth down. The offense also got it done, marching 60 yards in 11 plays and capping it off with a 3-yard run by Weston Smith to give Addison a 6-0 lead with 5:09 left in the opening quarter. On the ensuing possession the Addison defense forced another three-and-out, and the offense continued where it left off, pounding the ball on the ground and ending the drive with a 1-yard plunge on fourth down by Caleb Crider, stretching the lead to 12-0 with 10:48 remaining in the first half.
Ranburne was driving, looking to narrow the score, but on fourth down Logan Wilkins intercepted the football, giving Addison the ball on its own 1-yard line. Addison was only able to pick up one first down before it was forced to punt. Ranburne went on to score on a 5-yard run to cut the lead to 12-7 with only 1:11 to play until halftime. The teams headed to the locker room in a tight game, 12-7.
Addison got the ball to start the second half but was eventually stopped on fourth down; neither team was able to change the scoreboard in the third. Luke Chambers set Addison up in great field position thanks to an interception and lengthy return but missed a field goal. After Ranburne went three-and-out Addison managed to find its offense midway through the fourth quarter when quarterback Zayne Guthrie scored from 5 yards out with 5:41 remaining in the game to put the Blue and Gold up, 18-7.
Eleven plays later, Ranburne narrowed the score to 18-15 on a 5-yard run with just 2:50 left in the contest. After an unsuccessful onside kick, Addison pounded the ball, ending the drive on a 6-yard run from Guthrie for the score, putting the proverbial nail in Ranburne’s coffin. The score put Addison up 26-15 with 53 seconds left in the game. Addison’s Brett Smith ended it with a bang when he intercepted a pass with triple zeros on the clock, sealing the 26-15 win and a spot in round three of the state playoffs.
The 2A Addison Bulldogs (10-2) will host (10-2) Aliceville next week for a trip to the semifinals.
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