By Jeremy Finch
Jefferson welcomed Highway 59 rival Atlanta to town on Oct. 13, for another district battle.
These two teams have been playing one another since 1927. The Rabbits have a lead in the all-time series, but coming into this contest, the Bulldogs had won the past two meetings.
The two squads kept it close for a time, but Jefferson eventually poured it on and pulled away for a 49-29 win.
First Quarter
The Bulldogs received the ball first and immediately went to work from Atlanta’s 48-yard line.
Running back, Kam Williams, started off the drive with a 9-yard gallop. Quarterback Tihmyus Taylor followed that up with a 15-yard pass to Travis Gray Jr.
Williams broke free for 22 yards down to the Rabbit 3-yard line where Christon Bowman finished off the drive with a 3-yard score.
Domonik Rivers nailed the following point and the Bulldogs were up 7-0 with 10:36 left in the first frame.
The teams traded possessions for a few plays before the Bulldogs went on a 14-play drive which extended into the second quarter.
On the drive, Thomas hit receiver Jeramaine Hopkins Jr. for 33 yards on three passes. Thomas, Bowman, and Williams each picked up yards on different run plays.
The quarter ended with the Bulldogs facing fourth-and-short.
Second Quarter
Jefferson needed a yard to extend its drive but Atlanta’s defense stuffed the run and took over at their own 27-yard line.
Just like Kobin Tomlinson’s interception earlier in the game, Daniel Smith reeled in a turnover at the 10:46 mark.
The Bulldogs got as far as Atlanta’s 27-yard line before turning the ball over on downs.
Atlanta made its way into Bulldog country on a 52-yard run play and scored four plays later.
After the PAT the game was tied 7-7 with 7:09 left to play in the first quarter.
An onside kickoff attempt by the Rabbits went awry and Jefferson started off the drive at Atlanta’s 38-yard line.
Williams picked up nine of the 10 yards needed for a first down on three carries, but Atlanta intercepted the ball on fourth down.
Fortunately for the Bulldogs, a penalty against the Rabbits gave the Bulldogs a first down at the 24.
From there, Thomas connected with Hopkins Jr. for a touchdown. After the successful PAT the Bulldogs were back on top 14-7 with 5:02 left in the second quarter.
Atlanta’s next drive was a quick three-and-out and Jefferson received the ball on the 19 after a punt.
On the drive, Williams picked up 18 yards on the ground. Thomas connected with Chris Love on a 20-yard pass, and hit Hopkins Jr. for a 37-yard touchdown with 50 seconds left in the first half.
Rivers nailed the PAT and the Bulldogs extended its lead to 21-7.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Rabbits bobbled the catch and Jefferson recovered at the Atlanta 38.
The Rabbit defense eventually forced an incomplete pass on fourth down and got the ball back with six seconds left on the clock.
On a desperation heave by Atlanta’s quarterback as time expired, Love intercepted the pass.
Third Quarter
Atlanta received the second half kickoff and started its drive from the 29-yard line.
It only took one pass play for a 71-yard touchdown to close the gap for the Rabbits. After the PAT, the score stood at 21-14 with 11:38 left in the third stanza.
Not to be outdone, the Bulldogs answered in fine fashion as Judsen “Moose” Carter took the kickoff and returned it 85 yards for a touchdown.
After the PAT the Bulldogs were up 28-14 with 11:24 left in the third quarter.
A quick three-and-out for Atlanta gave the Bulldogs possession once again. After the punt, the Bulldogs started their next drive from their own 26-yard line.
From that point Williams gained 40 yards on four carries, and Thomas hit Gray Jr. for 13 yards.
A stuffed run and two incomplete passes later, the Bulldogs faced fourth-down-and-10.
Thomas found Anthony Flenoury for 13 yards to extend the drive, and Williams finished off the 12-play drive with a score.
After the PAT the Bulldogs were up 35-14 with 5:55 left in the third quarter.
The Rabbits put together a 7-play drive which netted them 25 yards, but a stuffed run on fourth down ended any hopes of scoring.
Taking over at their own 37-yard line, Williams bolted out of the gate for eight yards followed by a 12-yard pass from Thomas to Flenoury.
Another pass to Flenoury for six yards, and a 9-yard run by Williams, set up the Bulldogs at the Rabbit 30.
From there Williams sliced his way into the endzone for another TD. After the PAT the Bulldogs extended its lead to 42-14.
The quarter ended with Atlanta driving.
Fourth Quarter
The Rabbits continued their march towards the goal line and four plays into the final frame. Atlanta scored a TD.
After the PAT the gap was closed to 42-21 with 10:02 left in the second half.
Time management was in full effect as the Bulldogs looked to drain time off the clock.
On its next drive, Williams carried the ball five times for 13 yards and a pass from Thomas to Love helped eat up five minutes off the clock.
A turnover on downs at the 5:03 mark gave the ball back to Atlanta, but the Rabbits fumbled three plays into the drive and the ball was recovered by Jefferson.
Working from the Rabbit 35, Ameron Bruce picked up eight yards on one carry and scored on a 27-yard run with 2:50 left in the game on his next carry.
After the PAT the Bulldogs had a commanding 49-21 lead.
The Rabbits put together a 10-play scoring drive which drained the clock in the process.
Atlanta went for two and made it in to bring the score to 49-29 with 21 seconds on the clock.
A kneel by the Bulldogs ended the contest.
Taylor was 19-of-27 for 254 passing yards and two touchdowns, Williams had 200 rushing with two scores, and Hopkins Jr. posted 95 yards receiving with two touchdowns.
Defensively, Carter had 10 solo tackles and 12 tackles overall. Josh Bittle added eight solo tackles, and Love, Tomlinson, and Alexzavieor Pryor each had five solo tackles.
With the win, Jefferson raised its season record to (5-1, 2-0), and will travel to Gladewater on Friday, Oct. 20, to take on the Bears. Kickoff for this next game is set for 7 p.m.