DECATUR -- The week of Oct. 6 was originally scheduled an open date for the Decatur Bulldogs. But, before the season began, coaches at Dardanelle contacted Shane Holland and John Unger to see if they would like to play a non-conference game against their junior varsity. The Decatur coaches agreed. So the Bulldogs varsity and junior high teams traveled to central Arkansas to take on the 4A conference Sand Lizards on Oct. 7.
For the Bulldogs, the momentum from Friday night's homecoming victory worked to their advantage in the first half. The offense racked up two touchdowns and points, while the defense held Dardanelle scoreless. Decatur took a 14 to 0 lead into the locker room.
But Dardanelle mounted a comeback in the third quarter that threatened to derail Decatur's momentum.
"In the second half, we gave up a few big plays defensively," Holland said. "We had some problems offensively and weren't very productive. They came back and tied the game."
In the last series of the game, the Sand Lizards moved the ball down field to within field goal range. With only a few seconds left, the Dardanelle kicker split the uprights to take the victory, 23 to 20.
Since this was a non-conference game, the Bulldogs remain in the state playoff race. Their next game with the Western Yell County Wolverines on Oct. 17 at Bulldog Stadium is a must-win game for Decatur.
"Right now in the conference race, we are ahead of them," Holland said. "To me, the rest of the games are a must-win."
The Wolverines are currently 1 and 4 overall and 1 and 2 in conference play. For Western Yell County, they are one in a handful of teams in the 2A 4 West conference still in contention.
"There are four or five of us that are right there very, very close and we have to win against these teams," Holland said.
Game time for the Decatur/Western Yell County matchup will be at 7.p.m. at Bulldog Stadium.
Varsity Game Stats
Passing: Lee - 7 completion, 12 attempts for 103 yards.
Rushing: Lee - 11 carries for 67 yards, Mendoza - 1 carry for 12 yards, Castaneda - 16 carries for 56 yards, Total - 28 carries for 135 yards.
Receiving: Barnes - 3 carries for 12 yards, Mendoza - 1 carry for 22 yards, Funk - 2 carries for 67 yards, Riddle - 1 carry for 2 yards, total - 7 carries for 103 yards.
Punts: Funk - 4 for 120 yards.
Tackles: Castaneda - 12, Funk - 11, Riddle - 9, Kyle Shaffer - 7, Kell - 6, Puga - 6, others - 16, total - 66.
Sacks: Kell - 1
Points: Barnes - 6, Mendoza - 6 with 2 points after, Funk - 6, total - 20
The Bulldog junior high team fared much better as they held on to defeat the Sand Lizards, 14 to 12.
"It was their first win of the season," Holland said. "They deserved the win and we are happy to get it."
The Bulldog junior high team will travel to Havana Oct. 16 to take on the Western Yell County Wolverines. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m.
For a list of the remaining Decatur Bulldog football games go to decatursd.com/athletics.
Sports on 10/15/2014