MIDFIELD, Ala. — The number 7 ranked 2A Addison Bulldogs traveled to Midfield to take on the Patriots in what turned out to be a very exciting region game Friday night. Midfield came away with a hard fought, 30-28 win and Addison suffered more than the loss as their All-State QB, Christian “Ice Man” Roberts suffered a lower leg injury that puts the rest of his season in doubt.
Things started well for the Dawgs as they took the opening kick-off and drove 64-yards in 13 plays for the score. Addison’s Eli “Curly” Howse ran in it from the 2-yard line for the touchdown. The two-point attempt was no good and at the 5:18 mark of the first quarter, Addison led 6-0.
Addison’s Howse then kicked a line drive shot at one of the Patriots up men and the ball bounced off of him and directly back into the oncoming Bulldogs. The Dawgs recovered the fumble at the Addison 45. Midfield’s defense stood strong and held the Dawgs on a fourth down attempt.
Midfield took over at their own 49-yard line. Midfield took 11 plays to go 51 yards for the touchdown. Patriot QB Anthony Johnson ran it in from one yard out for the score. The Patriot two-point conversion was good, and Midfield led 8-6 with 10:17 to go in the second quarter. This quarter would turn out to be Addison’s downfall.
Addison was forced to punt on their next possession, but Howse punted a beautiful ball 42 yards, pinning the Patriots at their own four-yard line. Midfield’s very first play was a medium pass, Johnson to Demarrius Jackson, who made several Bulldog defenders miss and he scampered 96 yards for the touchdown. The two-point conversion was no good and at the 8:10 mark of the second quarter, Midfield had their first led 14-6.
The curse of the second quarter continued as Midfield got an onside kick recovery and took over the ball at the Dawg 40. The Dawg pound defense stood strong and forced a Patriot punt.
Addison was unable to take advantage of their defensive stop and punted back to the Patriots who took over at their own 22-yard line. It took only two plays for the Patriots to find the end zone as Johnson found Anthony Walker for a 56-yard touchdown pass. The two-point attempt was good, and Midfield had a commanding 22-6 lead with only 1:28 to go in the half.
If Addison didn’t think the half could get any worse, it did. With only 28 seconds to go in the half, Roberts ran around right end and was tackled on the Patriot sideline. Roberts had to be helped from the field and it appeared that he suffered a lower leg injury. Roberts was done for the evening and Addison fans can only hope that he isn’t done for the season. The half ended with Midfield up 22-6.
Addison held the Patriots on their opening possession of the second half and took over the ball at their own 40-yard line. Addison trotted out freshman QB Jed “The Wizard” Wilkins. Wilkins had to be nervous, but he sure didn’t show it. Wilkins led the Dawgs down for the score. The Dawgs went seven plays for 60 yards with Will “The Thrill” Tuggle scampering in from eleven yards out. The Bulldog line has to be acknowledged on this drive as Dawgs averaged over eight yards a carry. Howse ran in the 2-point conversion and at the 6:52 mark of the 3rd quarter, Addison had trimmed the Patriot lead to 22-14.
Midfield took over and facing a second and six the Patriots ran the ball and while they were attempting to stretch the ball out for an extra yard, Addison’s Hayden Holland snatched the ball away and flew 42 yards down the field for the Dawg touchdown. The two-point conversion was no good and Addison had pulled within 22-20 and seemed to have the momentum.
Addison got the ball back at their own ten-yard line and began a 90-yard scoring drive. It took the Dawgs eleven plays to go 90 yards and it was a team effort. The line blew open holes and the backs rambled for the yards. Wilkins had 51 of the yards on three carries. Jack Thompson had a big 16-yard run and Tuggle had 15 yards with four of them coming on his touchdown run. Howse again ran in the two-point conversion and with 10:28 left in the game, Addison had stormed back to take a 28-22 lead.
Addison was able to stop the Patriots on a fourth down attempt and took over the ball at the Patriot 40-yard line with only 6:49 to go in the game. Just when it looked like Addison was going to salt the game away, Fate is a cruel mistress, and she reared her ugly head. The Dawgs took a ten-yard holding penalty to put them in first and long. An interception gave the ball back to the Patriots at their own 20-yard line with 5:32 to go.
Once again, the Patriots went to the air and once again the Dawgs had no answer. Johnson found Javean Fields who eluded half the Dawg team to go 61-yards for the touchdown. The two-point was good, and the Patriots held a slim 30-28 lead with 4:48 to go.
There isn’t any quit in these Dawgs, so they took over at their own 39 and drove down to the Patriot 19-yard line. With only 32 seconds to go in the game and facing a fourth and eight, Addison decided to try the 36-yard field goal. Would it have went in, we will never know because there was a problem with the snap and the kick never got off. The game was finally over with a kneel down from Midfield.
Midfield took the game 30-28 and took control of Region 5. Addison falls to 3-1 (1-1) and hosts Double Springs in a Region/County rivalry next week. Midfield moves to 2-1 (2-0) and travels to Sulligent.
Unofficial stats are; Addison had 59 running plays for 321 total yards. Addison had six passing plays for 4 yards. Addison ran 65 total plays for 325 total yards. Midfield had 17 running plays for 49 total yards. Midfield had 20 pass plays for 313 total yards. Midfield ran 37 total plays for 362 total yards.
Addison was led Wilkins with nine carries for 101 yards. Tuggle had 15 carries for 75 yards and two touchdowns. Roberts had 12 carries for 54 yards. Justin “Rocky” Mather had nine carries 37 yards. Howse had nine carries for 27 yards and a touchdown.
Brian Berry one reception for 4 yards. Addison’s defense was led by Mather with five tackles, Howse with four tackles. Roberts, “Touchdown” Tommy Daniel and Briley Holt with two tackles each. Holland had a fumble recovery for a touchdown.
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