Bulldog offensive line in a recent game. The Dawgs stepped up in the fourth period opening hole for running back Jayden Perkins. The Dawgs won 12-0 over the Rattlers. Photo by Lou Martin

Bulldog offensive line in a recent game. The Dawgs stepped up in the fourth period opening hole for running back Jayden Perkins. The Dawgs won 12-0 over the Rattlers. Photo by Lou Martin

Defense was the key for the Virgin Valley High School Bulldog football team Friday night at Mojave High School. The Bulldog defense held the Rattlers to five total yards on the ground and 105 yards overall for a 12-0 shutout. The teams battled evenly for most of the first half until Cesar Zarate faked a punt and rolled for 58 yards and the first score of the night with six minutes remaining in the second period. The point after pass foiled. The half ended with Dawgs up 6-0.

The third period was another defensive struggle as neither team could put points on the scoreboard. Bulldog running back Jayden Perkins changed that two minutes into the fourth quarter scoring from one yard out. Perkins ran for 122 yards in the fourth period.The Dawgs were once again unsuccessful on a point after pass. The game ended with the Dawgs on top 12-0. Bulldog workhorse Perkins led all rushers with 160 yards on 30 carries. Bulldog quarterback Hogan Fowles went 6-12 for 53 passing yards. “Nice to get a win in an ugly game,” said Bulldog coach Yori Ludvigson. “It was a great shutout for our defense. Our offensive line did not play well until the fourth period when they opened holes for Perkins. Our offense wore them down in the fourth period.”

The Bulldogs return home on on Sept. 16 to face Western High School. The Warriors got blown out by Bonanza High School Friday night 42-8. The Bulldogs should be favored over the winless Western team. The Bulldogs increased their season record to 2-1. The Bulldogs have one more preseason game against Spring Valley on Sept.23 before hosting archrival Moapa Valley on Sept. 30 for the ‘Battle of the Valleys’.