Jerod Trent of Doddridge County runs the ball towards Independence in Friday evening quarterfinal playoff sport. (Photo by Amanda Ritchie)
COAL CITY — With victory in hand following its conflict with Independence within the Class AA quarterfinals, a Doddridge assistant coach instructed the group to flip and have a look at the scoreboard at Independence’s George Covey Field.
It’s been a dream season for the Bulldogs who continued their undefeated season (12-0) and moved to the semifinals for the primary time since 2022 of their first season as a Class AA college.
For Independence, No. 1 in AA for a bulk of the season earlier than ending No. 4, it was an abject nightmare.
Doddridge quarterback Bryson Dixon accomplished 11 of 23 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns and ran for one more and the Bulldogs had 4 second half turnovers, one a game-clinching 65-yard interception return for a landing by defensive finish Landon Thomas and the Bulldogs scored 18 unanswered factors in a 38-27 victory towards Independence Friday.
It was the Patriots’ first loss to a Class AA group at George Covey Field since falling to Liberty in Oct. 2020, earlier than there was even turf on the sector.
“Our team just showed the heart and the grit they’ve got,” coach Bobby Burnside mentioned. “We’re undersized. We were undersize tonight. We came down here, had a long trip, and they just battled. It was a special effort and I’m glad it ended up in a victory for us.”
“We made too many mistakes to win,” Independence coach John H. Lilly mentioned. “Anything I’ll say can be disrespectful to Doddridge County. They performed a very good soccer sport tonight. They made the least quantity of errors and while you get to this level the group that makes the least errors goes to win.
“I don’t know if it was the turnovers, they came late in the game when we were trying to make plays. There are no excuses. We’re disappointed.”
There was a time when issues seemed good for the Patriots regardless of a cool, moist night, performed in heavy rain at occasions.
Independence took their first drive and went proper down the sector, scoring on a 3-yard run by Sylas Nelson, who completed his profession with 101 yards dashing.
Independence seemed to have a cease, when, on fourth down, punter Brandon Davis threw an interception on a faux punt try.
However, Independence was whistled for holding and the Doddridge drive continued.
Independence ultimately received its cease, nevertheless it was deep in Patriots’ territory and an interception gave them the ball again.
Brandon Davis scored on a 1-yard run with 1:34 remaining within the third to draw the Bulldogs to inside 27-26 when it seemed just like the Patriots would have a 27-20 lead and the ball again in Bulldogs’ territory.
“That was a huge momentum call,” Lilly mentioned. “We came out in the second half, made some adjustments and got a good stop out there and we get a holding call. I don’t know how that was a holding call, but it was, that’s what they called.”
Indy took the ball again however a fumble early within the fourth bit them.
The Bulldogs took the lead on a Dixon to Caleb Hall 8-yard landing go that made it 32-27.
Once once more, Independence had its probabilities.
They received the ball again after a pleasant return by Christian Linksweiler and a private foul on Doddridge gave the Patriots the ball on the Doddridge 38.
That’s when Thomas struck together with his massive interception that made it a two-possession sport.
“Landon is a great athlete,” Burnside mentioned. “He is a kid who was an all-state receiver last year and plays defensive end for us. He plays defensive end because he can rush, he can seal the edge. It’s not his first interception at defensive end. He just made a spectacular play.”
And it, for all intents and functions, ended the sport.
Burnside mentioned the Bulldogs performed with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder.
“A little bit, but we get it,” Burnside mentioned. “We transfer up from single-A. I get it. We’re untested. But I really feel like we answered numerous exams. I simply know they’ve numerous coronary heart.
Doddridge County led 20-19 on the half.
Dixon threw a landing go to Jerod Trent and ran for one more rating. Lyric Blake had a one-yard landing.
For Independence, Brock Green had a pair of one-yard sneaks and threw a landing go to Kaden Bradbury within the opening half.
Independence had an opportunity to take the lead proper earlier than the half when Landon Riddle recovered a snap that sailed over Dixon’s head on the Bulldogs’ 41. Indy moved into the crimson zone however an unlawful shift and two incomplete passes into the tip zone ended the risk and the half.
It’s the primary time since 2020 that Indy (102) hasn’t made the Class AA semifinals.
Green accomplished 14 of 23 passes for 146 yards and a landing. He completed the season with 2,925 yards and 29 touchdowns. Freshman Ok.J. Viars had seven catches for 66 yards and went over 1,000 yards receiving for the season.
Nelson, who missed three video games with a knee harm, completed with 1,328 yards and 17 touchdowns.
“I will remember (this team) for their resiliency,” Lilly mentioned. “Last year we had so many negative things happen, and we battled through it. This year we had so many injuries, and we battled through it. I’m proud of them.”
Doddridge will transfer on to face No. 1 Frankfort subsequent week at Frankfort.