ADDISON, Ala. – The Addison Bulldogs hosted the always tough Falkville Blue Devils in the last non region matchup of the regular season. Addison was looking to maintain their momentum heading into the final 2 regular season region games and also continue their modest three game winning streak. Addison wasn’t overly impressive on offense or defense but did enough to come away with a solid 28-6 win.
Addison kicked off to start the game and the Bulldogs Dawg Pound Defense was in fine form as they forced the Devils into a three and out, allowing the Devils only 4-yards on three plays. The fireworks started early, as Addison’s Jed “Wizard” Wilkins created another highlight as he took the punt back 65-yards for the Bulldog touchdown. Still don’t know why teams kick to this young man as he has returned numerous kicks for scores during the season. The two-point attempt was no good and at the 10:21 mark of the first quarter, Addison led 6-0.
Falkville’s next possession started at their own 41 and made it down to the Dawg 39 where they faced a tough fourth and three call. Falkville elected to go for it and Addison stood tall as Caleb Vintson stopped Falkville scat back Brodie Bennett for a two-yard gain denying the Devils the first down.
Addison was unable to do anything on their first offensive possession and Wilkins punted the ball 41 yards to put the Devils at their own 20-yard line.
The Blue Devils put a nice drive together a good drive, but the drive was ultimately stopped by numerous penalties, including one that negated a beautiful pass from Devil QB Landon Powers to wideout Kole Fitzgerald for over 35 yards.
The next three possessions in the game ended in punt exchanges.
Addison took over with 9:58 to go in the second quarter at their own 15-yard line. This drive turned into the Wilkins-Braden Luker drive as 8 of the 11 plays featured one or both of these players. Facing a third and eight call, Wilkins went around end for 11-yards and a first down. Luker then took back-to-back carries for 8-yards apiece and another first down. Lest we not forget the humble fullback, Hayden Holland on third and two dragged Blue Devils for 11-yards and another Bulldog first down. The 11 play 85-yard drive was capped off with Wilkins scoring his second touchdown of the night on a nice 4-yard run. Holland muscled in the two-point conversion and Addison led 14-0 with 2:57 left on the clock. Addison had taken off over seven minutes of the second quarter on this drive.
Falkville responded nicely, as they drove down the field all the way to the Bulldog twelve-yard line. Powers led the Devils with both his feet and his arm on this drive. Powers had a nice 35-yard completion that Devil WR Dawson Fowler outleaped a Bulldog defender for the catch. With only seconds to go in the first half and Falkville facing a fourth and nine from the Bulldog 12, Addison’s Holland intercepted a Devil pass at the five-yard line. The half would end with Addison still up 14-0.
The second half opened with Addison receiving the kickoff and promptly moving down to the field. Addison on the feet of Wilkins, Luker and Holland made it to the Devil sixteen-yard line, and it looked like Addison was about to salt the game away with their third touchdown. Addison promptly fumbled the football and Blue Devil Jackson Edmonson recovered the ball and rumbled up to the Devil forty-two-yard line.
Falkville came out fired up as their defense had made a huge play. Falkville, using Powers short completions, drove down to the Bulldog six-yard line. Powers completed a huge 13-yard pass to Cash Lawrimore on fourth and three at the Bulldog thirty-three. Powers came up big again on another fourth down call with a six-yard completion to Fowler on fourth and four from the fourteen. Powers then sealed the deal with a cross the field throw to Fitzgerald who made a very nice over the shoulder catch. Fitzgerald was able to complete the catch and keep his feet inbounds for the 6-yard touchdown. The two-point was no good and with 1:09 to go in the third quarter, Addison’s lead had been cut to 14-6.
Addison answered the bell and after a short kickoff, Addison took over at midfield. After an Addison penalty, Wilkins found Holland for 13-yards and a first down at the Devil thirty-seven-yard line. Two pop passes, Wilkins to Luker, gained 17-yards and had Addison with a first and ten from the Devil twenty-two. Four plays later, Luker powered his way into the endzone for the breathing room touchdown. The two-point was no good and with 7:37 to go in the game, Addison had extended their lead back out to 20-6.
Falkville’s next possession ended on its second play as Wilkins made an excellent play on a deep pass that looked like it was going to be completed until he stepped in front for the interception. Wilkins returned the ball to the Bulldog forty-seven, gaining 27-yards on the return.
The Bulldogs interception seemed to take the life out of the Blue Devils and Addison was able to drive down the field and eight plays later, Mr. Luker cashed it in for his second touchdown of the night as this one came from 21-yards out. Elijah Roberts found Wilkins in the back of the endzone for the two-point conversion and with only 2:42 to go in the game, Addison led comfortably 28-6.
This is how the game would end as Falkville, never giving up, got down to the Dawg twenty-five-yard line when time expired.
Addison came away with a 28-6 win and will now move back into region play. Addison moves to 6-2 (4-1 region) and will travel to Phillips next week to play the Bears. Falkville will drop to 3-5 (1-4 region) and will travel to Tharptown to take on the Wildcats.
Unofficial stats
Addison ran 38 rushing plays for 205 yards. Addison ran 9 pass plays for 37 yards. Addison ran 47 total plays for 242 total yards. Falkville ran 28 rushing plays for 125 yards. Falkville ran 21 pass plays for 163 yards. Falkville ran 49 total plays for 288 total yards.
Addison’s Wilkins was 4 out of 6 for 37 yards. Falkville’s Powers was 10 out of 21 for 163 yards with 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions.
Addison was led in rushing by Luker with 14 carries for 82 yards and 2 touchdowns. Wilkins had 14 carries for 79 yards and 1 touchdown. Holland had 5 carries for 19 yards. Falkville had Powers with 10 carries for 43 yards. Denver Comstock had 13 carries for 43 yards. Bennett had 4 carries for 40 yards.
Addison had Luker with 3 catches for 24 yards. Holland had 1 grab for 13 yards. Falkville had Logan Fowler with 2 catches for 67 yards. Dawson Fowler had 4 catches for 51 yards. Lawrimore had 4 catches for 40 yards. Fitzgerald had 1 grab for 6 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, Addison was led in tackles by Holland with 10. Kaden Dyson and Wilkins had 5. Isaiah Treece, Vintson and Roberts had 4 each. Jordan Hubbert, Lane Stewart, Jacob Mauldin and Bradley Willette had 3 each. Wilkins and Holland had interceptions.
Falkville was led by Levi Lynn with 8. Fitzgerald had 6. D. Fowler, Malachi Collett and Landon Holton had 3 each. Houston Jackson, Owen Teague and Bennett had 2 each. Edmonson recovered a fumble and had 2 tackles.
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