Swanton Bulldogs Football: Program News: News and Announcements 9-15-09

* Bulldogs Lose Home Opener *

By STEVE COLON

Expositor Editor

SWANTON - The Bulldogs looked to make a game of things early in the third quarter against Wauseon. Then two interceptions led to two quick Indian touchdowns as Wauseon won 38-21.

The Swanton defense played well to end the half as they stalled a Wauseon drive that went as deep as the Bulldog 16 yard line. Two Wauseon penalties pushed the Indians back to the 32-yard line. On fourth-and-25, kicker Clay Simpkins nailed a 47-yard field goal to give Wauseon a 24-14 lead at the half. Darnell Hinds put the team on his back carrying seven times for 44 yards. Add 16 yards by Tom Leahey and a Travis Hilton to Loius Miller connection for 16 yards, and Swanton looked to be on a roll.

That almost changed as Hinds crossed the goal line and coughed up the ball. However, after the scrum, it was a Bulldog who ended up with the ball and Swanton narrowed the lead to 24-21. Swanton started a drive to begin the fourth quarter. Hilton was hit as he was throwing, putting up a floater that went right into the hands of defensive back Brandon Volkman. After a 21-yard return gave the Indians possession on the Bulldog 34, it took Wauseon six plays to score. The drive was capped by a 13-yard scamper by Landon Schaffner. On the Bulldog's second play, Hilton's pass went off the hands of his receiver and Tyler Deeds made a diving circus catch with his fingertips to get his second interception of the night. Then Michael Chapa finished things off with a 37-yard touchdown score giving his team a 38-21 victory.

Wauseon got early momentum as Tyler Deeds took the opening kick 84 yards giving his team possession on the 11-yard line. Swanton defense held Wauseon giving them a fourth-and-1 from the two-yard line. Schaffner kept the ball and went up the middle to score the first touchdown of the game. Miller looked to have the Indian's number as he went 5-for-5 passing to get the Bulldogs down to the Wauseon 30. Things looked to stall on fourth-and-one, but a Wauseon encroachment call gave the first down. Swanton then gave the ball to Hinds who had runs of 20 and 5 yards, the latter knotting the game after a Nick Yunker PAT.

The Swanton defense looked to have a stop on the next Indian possession of the game, when on third-and-15, Schaffner hit a wide open Jeff Jasso for a 59-yard scoring connection. After a Swanton punt, the Indians upped the lead to 21-7 on a seven-play, 73-yard drive. Chapa pulled off the left side for 31 yards, Travis Reynolds picked up 23 yards and Schaffner got his second rushing score with a seven-yard run to cap the drive.

The Bulldogs would answer on their next possession. It appeared the Wauseon defense may have missed an assignment, but who would expect 6'3", 270-pound fullback Mimmo Lytle to catch a pass let alone scamper 60 yards for a score. However, that is just what he did as several Indian defenders bounced off the big man as he lumbered toward paydirt to make the game 21-14 with a little over five minutes left in the half. Hilton managed to pick apart the Wauseon defense with short passes to the flats mixed with down field tosses. He went 14 for 21 with 204 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Schaffner only went 1 of 2 but threw for a touchdown and ran for two more with 50 yards on eight carries.

Chapa led the Indians on the ground with 113 yards on 10 carries. Reynolds added 98 yards on 15 carries and Jasso contributed 45 yards on seven carries. Hinds led the Bulldogs on the ground with 84 yards on 15 carries. Leahy added 38 more yards on nine carries.

The Bulldogs next game will be this Friday against Montpelier at Hansbarger Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00pm.

* Bulldog JV News *

    Despite a hard  fought, defensive battle, the Swanton JV was defeated by the Wauseon JV by a score of 14-6 this past Saturday. Sam Knepley scored the lone touchdown for the Bulldogs while Mark Parker and Donald Beatty lead the Bulldog defense. The loss brings the JV team's record to 1-2 . The next JV game will be this Saturday, September 19th at Montpelier. Kickoff is at 10am .