Swanton Bulldogs Football: Program News: News and Announcements 10-13-09

* Bulldogs Fall Short on Homecoming *

By RANDY ROBERTS

Enterprise Sports Writer

The other seven haven't gone this way. Evergreen withstood two late touchdowns by Swanton to hold off the Bulldogs for the eighth time in a row 26-21, ruining a wet and cold Homecoming for the Bulldogs.

After Chad Monaghan ran in his third rushing touchdown of the night with 4:59 left in the game, the Bulldogs came roaring back. Mimmo Lytle answered on the ensuing possession for Swanton when he slipped past the line and raced 55 yards to score just 25 seconds later. The Bulldogs missed on an onside kick attempt, but it wouldn't matter as they recovered a fumble just two plays into the Viking possession to set up shop once again.

Starting at the Viking 42, the Bulldogs were faced with a fourth-and-five three plays into the drive. A pass play down the Viking sideline would fall incomplete, but a pass interference call gave Swanton new life. Starting with a fresh set of downs at the Viking 22, they scored four plays later when Lytle ran in off the left side of the line from six yards out with 2:10 left. The two point conversion try failed, but it was a one possession game at 26-21.

Evergreen was able to grab the onside kick and managed a first down on a fourth down try to run out the clock, preserving the close victory.

Up until the five minute mark, the Vikings dominated a majority of the game. Monaghan gave Evergreen an early 7-0 with his 63-yard jaunt with 7:16 left in the opening quarter. He scored his second touchdown three plays into the second quarter when he finished off a 12-play, 83-yard drive that took 6:26 off the clock.

Swanton had the ball deep in Viking territory three times in the second quarter but had nothing to show for it. First, the Bulldogs lost the ball on downs inside the 10-yardline, then interceptions by Chad Mossing and Clayton Wielinski ended the next two drives.

In between, Monaghan added a touchdown reception from 47 yards, making the score 19-0 at the half.

Monaghan finished with 156 of the 250 rushing yards that the Vikings had on the night. They added 79 more through the air. Lytle ran for 114 yards to lead Swanton.

Evergreen (3-4, 1-4) will hold Homecoming Festivities on Friday against Wauseon. Swanton (1-6, 1-5) will host Delta on Friday for the Iron Kettle.

* Bulldog JV News *

    On Monday, October 12th, the JV Bulldogs hosted their rivals to the north, the Evergreen Vikings. Despite a late rally by the Vikings, the Bulldogs managed to hold them off to secure the 16-14 victory. Sam Knepley had 1 rushing touchdown and also completed a long touchdown pass to Paul Kennedy. Knepley also scored on the first two point conversion for the Bulldogs while Kennedy caught a pass for the second two point conversion. The Bulldogs also received great defensive play from Jamie St. Clair, Joe Daniels, Donald Beatty, and Andrew Foore. Kevin Kohlman also did an excellent job in the kicking game for the Bulldogs. The next JV game will be on Monday, October 19th at 4:30pm for what will be the last home game of the year for the JV team.