VERNON, Ala. — Addison traveled to George Bell Stadium in Vernon, Alabama to take on the Lamar County Bulldogs in a region matchup with huge playoff implications for both teams. Lamar County’s Bulldogs were a little bit better than Addison’s as they came away with a 23-14 victory. The loss puts a serious damper on Addison’s playoff hopes as now Addison will need some help to make the playoffs.
The game started off as a defensive struggle as both teams punted on their first three possessions apiece. The first quarter ended with neither team able to put points on the board.
Lamar County finally got the first drive of the evening going in the second quarter as they drove down to the Addison 21-yard line. On first down, Addison LB Jack Wilson recovered a fumble from the Lamar County Running back, putting an end to the drive. Wilson would have a big night on defense.
Addison’s offense was stagnant most of the first half and was unable to take advantage of the turnover and punted back to Lamar County. Lamar County then used a short passing game to drive down to the Addison 10-yard line. The Addison defense held firm with “Touchdown” Tommy Lee Daniel sacking the quarterback and forcing Lamar County to kick a 30-yard field goal. The field goal was good and at the end of the first half, Lamar County held a slim 3-0 lead.
Addison took the opening kickoff and had a very solid drive going, their first of the night. The Bulldogs used 11 plays to drive 50-yards to get to the Lamar County 11-yard line. Addison facing a first and ten just outside the ten-yard line was unable to score as a mishandled snap, turned the ball over to Lamar County.
Lamar County then sprinted down the field on the Bulldog defense, using a mixture of short passes and inside runs to face a first and ten from the Addison 24-yard line. Lamar County then found the endzone on a 24-yard scoring pass and with 2:33 to go in the third quarter, Lamar County had taken a 9-0 lead. The extra point was no good.
On Addison’s very next possession, it appeared that Lamar County thrust a dagger into the heart of the Bulldogs as Lamar County returned an interception 25 yards for the pick six. The two-point conversion was good and with only 54 seconds left in the third, Lamar County held a comfortable 17-0 lead.
This Addison team has been an up and down squad all year, but they have never given up and they didn’t this evening. Addison Kick returner Brian Berry returned the ensuing kickoff 45 yards to the Lamar County 34-yard line. Quarterback Christian “Ice Man” Roberts, making his first start in three weeks since an injury, found Daniel on a beautiful sideline route down to the Lamar County 8-yard line. The pass was good for 26 yards. Two plays later, Roberts found the endzone on a 5-yard run. The Eli “Curly” Howse extra point was good and at the end of the 3rd quarter, Addison had cut the lead to 17-7.
The Bulldog defense playing inspired ball forced a punt on Lamar County’s next possession. This gave Addison the ball at their own 41-yard line. Roberts then found his cousin, Jed “Wizard” Wilkins for a 23-yard completion and two plays later, Roberts hit Wilkins on a corner route from 35-yards out for the touchdown. The Howse extra point had cut the lead to 17-14 with eight minutes to go in the game.
Addison’s defense got the ball right back for their offense as Brian Berry caught a deflected ball for the interception and the Addison offense took over at its own 49-yard line.
Controversy then ensued as Addison facing a 2nd down and 9 from midfield, had Roberts run the ball up the middle and after gaining ten yards, was tackled. The ball came out, but it appeared to everyone that the ground caused the fumble. The men in the striped suits didn’t see it that way and the ball was turned over to Lamar County.
This seemed to take the life out of the crowd and the Bulldogs. Lamar County then ripped the Addison defense for 51 yards on two carries. The third carry was a 9-yard touchdown run to seal the Lamar County win. The extra point was no good and the final score was Lamar County 23, Addison 14.
This puts Addison in a precarious situation where they will need some help in order to make the playoffs. Addison drops to 4-4 (2-3 region). Addison hosts 4A Hamilton next week for Homecoming.
Unofficial stats: Addison had 34 carries for 86 total yards. Addison had 18 pass plays for 102 total yards. Addison had 52 total plays for 188 yards. Lamar County had 35 carries for 147 total yards. Lamar County had 22 pass plays for 139 total yards. Lamar County had 57 total plays for 286 total yards.
Roberts led the Dawgs in rushing with 13 carries for 59 total yards and a touchdown. Mather had 11 carries for 23 yards.
Roberts was 6/18 for 139 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
Wilkins had three receptions for 77 yards and a touchdown. Daniel had one catch for 26 yards. On defense Jack Wilson led the team with seven tackles and a fumble recovery. Zach Thompson and Hayden Holland had six tackles. Jacob Mauldin and Brody Dollar had five tackles each. Berry and Daniel had four tackles each with Berry getting an interception and Daniel getting a sack.
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