Bulldog running back Jayden Perkins (#33), running from the wildcat, takes a direct snap and follows a bevy of Dawg blockers including Jesus Ruvalcaba (#9) for a first down during the Bulldogs 20-0 win over Sunrise Mountain Thursday night in the Dawg Pound. Photo by Lou Martin
If a game ball would have been given after the Bulldogs 20-0 whitewash of Sunrise Mountain High School, it would be a tossup between the VVHS’s defense and Jayden Perkins. The Dawg defense held the Miners vaunted attack to 27 total net yards. The Miners came into Thursday’s game with 3700 yards in 9 previous games. Perkins running behind a tough offensive line gained 172 yards on 35 carries. “I’m a little sore but I do what I have to do,” said Perkins after the game. “We couldn’t have gotten it done without our defense. Without my offensive line I’m nothing. They were awesome.”
The first period was a battle, as neither team could mount an offensive attack. The teams totaled six punts on six possessions. The Bulldogs managed the only first down in the period on a Perkins 11 yard scamper.
The Dawgs got rolling in the second mounting a drive from their 20 yard line. Perkins carried 5 straight times before Miners coach Chris Sawyers called time in an attempt to slow down Perkins. It was to no avail as Perkins ripped off chunks of yardage before going in from one yard out. Cesar Zarate’s point after was good giving the Dawgs a 7-0 lead. Perkins had an amazing thirteen straight carries on the drive. The Bulldogs added a new wrinkle to their running attack on the drive as Perkins lined up as a wildcat back taking direct snaps and picking his holes. The half ended with the Dawgs up 7-0.
The Miners threatened to begin the second half scoring on a short pass and long run of 68 yards for a score but the play was called back as Miners lineman were down field. The Bulldog defense forced another Miners punt taking over on their 16 yard line. The Bulldogs behind Perkins runs and two critical third down passes from Q.B. Hogan Fowles to Jesus Ruvalcaba and Jarrett Tietjen ran the third period clock out on the Miners three yard line.
Perkins scored on the first play of the fourth period, Zarate’s point after was blocked by the Miners. The Bulldogs led 13-0 with 11:46 remaining in the game. The Miners returned the following kickoff to their own 27 yard line. A Stephen Wright pass of 11 yards gave the Miners a first and ten from their 38 yard line. Three straight incompletions forced a punt which was blocked by the Bulldogs front line giving the Dawgs a first down on the Miners 27 yard line. Four straight runs by Perkins set the dawgs up with a first on the Miners 11 yard line. Fowles took it in on a keeper but the Dawgs were called for a penalty moving the ball back to the 16. Fowles, not to be denied, took the ball down to the five yard line setting up Perkins foe a five yard score with 7:18 remaining. Zarate’s point after was good for a 20-0 lead to the delight of the Bulldog faithful. The Miners offense came to life on a good return to the Bulldogs 44 yard line. A Wright pass gave them a first down on the Bulldogs 17 yard line. The Bulldogs were called for pass interference on the Dawgs 8 yard line. Bulldog Jaden Dalton sacked Wright for a loss and the Miners were called for a personal foul moving the ball back to the 28 yard line. Bulldog Brayton Hampsten ended the threat with a pick on the 9 yard line turning the ball back to the Dawgs offense. Final score Bulldogs 20-0 over the Miners. “How about our defense,” said a smiling head coach Yori Ludvigson. “The kids worked hard and trust and love each other. We’re a blue collar team just getting it done. We practice tomorrow morning to get ready for Chaparral.” The Dawgs will host Chaparral next Friday night Nov. 4 in a rematch. The Cowboys defeated Cheyenne 29-26 in their playoff game. The Bulldogs beat Chaparral 13-7 two weeks ago to claim the Sunrise League title.
