Virgin Valley High School Bulldogs defense stepped up once again, making big plays throughout Friday night’s 14-7 win over the Eagles from Boulder City. The Bulldogs Sean Rodriquez began the defensive display intercepting an Eagles pass on their very first possession. The Dawgs could not take advantage of the Eagles mistake going four and out. Bulldog Jeremy Perkins big hit caused a fumble recovery by teammate Rafael Ramirez on the 50 yard line on the Eagles third possession. It was payback for the Eagles defense as they intercepted Bulldog quarterback Kyler Sudweeks on the Dawgs 44 yard line. Neither team could sustain a drive throughout the first period.
The Bulldog defense shut down the Eagles on their first possession of the second quarter. Bulldog Tanner Fielding sacked the Eagles Q.B. causing a fumble and recovery on the Eagles 50 yard line. The Bulldogs wasted little time powering the ball downfield, Wyatt Delano bulled through for 14 yards and a Dawgs first down on the 34 yard line. Q.B. Sudweeks followed on a keeper for 9 yards before Delano found a crease up the middle for 23 yards and the first touchdown of the game. Will Barnum’s point after kick split the uprights giving the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead with 6:23 remaining in the first half of play. The Dawgs defense stepped up giving the Dawgs a first down on the Eagles 38 yard line. Runs by Sudweeks and Delano set up a first down on the 16 yard line. Running back Wyatt Anderson finished the drive streaking up the middle untouched to increase the Dawgs lead to 13-0. Barnum’s P.A.T. kick was good giving the Dawgs a 14-0 lead going into the break.
The second half of the game was dominated by strong defensive play on both sides of the ball by the Eagles and Dawgs. The Eagles managed their biggest drive of the game starting on their 28 yard line mixing up runs with pin-point passing off the arm of Parker Reynolds. A Bulldog defensive lapse left a wide receiver free for a 43 yard strike cutting the Dawgs lead to 14-7 after three periods. The fourth period was littered by penalties by each side. The Dawgs could not generate a first down all of the fourth period forcing a punt on their last possession with 2:19 remaining in the game. The Eagles started their final drive of the game on their 43 yard line. Completions from Reynolds set up a first down for the Eagles on Dawgs 33 yard line with .58 seconds remaining. The Eagles had an opportunity to score but Reynolds overthrew his wide open receiver which would have tied the score. On the next play, Bulldog Barnum made the defensive play of the game, stretching out to bat down a Reynolds pass to stop a potential first down. The Bulldog defense forced a fourth and long by the Eagles with .38 seconds remaining. Reynolds last pass sailed long out of the end zone giving the ball back to the Bulldogs. A kneel down ended the game with the Dawgs on the long end of a hard fought 14-7 win. Sudweeks and Delano led rushers with 72 and 67 yards rushing on 16 carries each. Sudweeks finished with 57 yards passing on 5-16 completions. “We had a great second quarter,” said Bulldog coach Matt Woods. “It’s great to get a league (3A) win, added Woods. Kyler stepped up and played well and our front floor played huge game.” The win gives the Bulldogs a 1-0 3-A record and 4-1 overall going into Friday’s game at home against Rancho High School.
