Bulldog varsity loses big to Tigers; junior high takes win

DECATUR --The Decatur junior high and varsity football teams returned to Bulldog Stadium Friday night for the second of three home eight-man football contests, this time against the Brinkley Tigers. But Bulldog fans were stunned when the Tigers overwhelmed the Decatur defense to claim victory by 54 points.

The Bulldog defensive squad played one of its best quarters of the season, holding the stronger Brinkley offense unit scoreless through much of the first seven and a half minutes of the contest. However, a pass from the Tiger quarterback to its running back resulted in the first touchdown of the game. The Bulldogs were able to block the conversion attempt and the score remained 6-0. The first quarter ended with the Tigers up by six.

Twenty-five seconds into the second quarter, Tylon Jones scrambled into the end zone for the Tigers' second touchdown of the night. The two-point conversion by Christian Elliot was good and the Tigers led the Bulldogs, 14-0. A short time later, a 45 yard run by Kyle Halliburton yielded the Tigers a third touchdown for the night. Decatur's defense foiled Brinkley's conversion attempt and the score was 20-0 in favor of the Tigers. Two more touchdowns, included Halliburton's second on the night, extended the Brinkley lead to 32 points by the end of the first half.

The Brinkley Tigers scored two more touchdowns and conversions in the second half, while its defense continued to hold the Bulldogs scoreless for a 54-0 shutout victory.

The Decatur Bulldog junior high team, in a contest played prior to the varsity game, had a much better night as the team pulled off a win over the Brinkley Tigers.

Jackson Montano had one of the best nights of his career with a conversion, and three touchdowns, including 60-yard and 75-yard runs. He accounted for more than half of the Bulldogs' total points for the contest.

Carson Courtney picked up the first score of the night on a quarterback keeper for six. Jackson Montano's short conversion run yielded the lead to the junior high Bulldogs by eight.

The Decatur Bulldogs scored two more touchdowns (five in all), and one conversion (two in all) to win the contest, 34-22.

Both the Decatur Bulldog junior high and varsity teams return to Bulldog Stadium on Oct. 22 for the third and final home games of the season -- it's also senior night -- against the Rector Cougars. The junior high contest begins at 5 p.m., with the varsity game immediately following.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Jackson Montano (29) extends the nose of the football out so that it crosses the plain of the goal line for a Bulldog conversion during the Decatur-Brinkley junior high contest in Decatur Friday night. Montano lead the Bulldogs to a 34-22 win over the Tigers.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Bulldog quarterback Robert Thang (49) tucks the ball near his chest and takes off for an opening in the Tigers defense during the Decatur-Brinkley eight-man football contest at Bulldog Stadium Friday night.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS After breaking several tackles, running back Jackson Montano (29) finds an opening in the Tigers defensive line and runs for a 55 yard touchdown. Decatur played host to the Brinkley Tigers in an eight-man football contest at Bulldogs Stadium in Decatur Friday night.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS Rhandell Fipps (55) opens up a hole for running back Kayden Burr during the Decatur-Brinkley eight-man football contest at Bulldog Stadium in Decatur Friday night. The Bulldogs were unable to overcome the Tigers strong defensive line as Decatur falls to Brinkley 54-0.

Westside Eagle Observer/MIKE ECKELS A pack of angry Bulldogs take down a lone Tiger running back during the second quarter of the Decatur-Brinkley eight-man football game in Decatur Friday night. The Bulldog defenders leading the hunt includes Kayden Burr (5), Enrique Rubi (13) and Edgar Herrera (85).