The ECI Bulldogs played their sixth and final non-region game of the season Friday night when they traveled to Lincolnton to take on the second-ranked Lincoln County Red Devils. In a game dominated by defense, the Red Devils came away with a hard-fought 14-7 victory.
Even with the loss, because of the strength of schedule, (ECI has the third hardest schedule in Class A), the AJC rankings this week still have the Bulldogs hanging on to the number 9 spot.
If you like defensive football, Lincolnton was the place to be Friday night.
Although both teams were able to move the football at times, neither offense managed much success getting into the red zone. Each team made just two trips inside the opponent's 20-yard line, and both scored on their first trip before being turned away on their second.
Offensive yards were hard to come by, with ECI actually edging the Red Devils in total offense, 221 yards to 207.
The Red Devils missed an opportunity late in the first quarter when they fumbled at the Bulldog 5-yard line, ending a scoring threat. The Bulldogs would have their own opportunity in the fourth quarter, but a fourth-and-goal attempt came up short inside the Red Devil 1-yard line.
The ECI defense turned in an outstanding performance against a Lincoln County offense that had been averaging 32 points per game. The Bulldogs held the Red Devils scoreless for more than three quarters after allowing a touchdown midway through the first quarter.
Lincoln County took a 7-0 lead when their running back found an opening around the right corner and raced 3 yards for the touchdown on a fourth and goal play.
The Red Devils immediately got the ball back when ECI fumbled the ensuing kickoff, giving Lincoln County possession at the Bulldog 23-yard line. The Red Devils were unable to take advantage of the excellent field position, however, as the Bulldogs forced a fumble at the 5-yard line to end the threat.
ECI answered late in the second quarter with a 10-play, 59-yard scoring drive. Malcolm Steele found running room up the middle before breaking through a couple of Red Devil defenders and racing 17 yards for the touchdown. The extra point tied the game at 7-7 with 43 seconds remaining in the first half.
The tie would not last long.
Following the ECI touchdown, the Bulldog kickoff went out of bounds. Lincoln County elected to take the re-kick rather than accept the ball at the 35-yard line. The decision paid off when Franklin, who had scored the Red Devils' first touchdown, found a seam up the middle and returned the kickoff 61 yards for a touchdown.
That return would provide the winning margin as neither team was able to score again.
Neither offense mounted a serious scoring threat until midway through the fourth quarter, when the Bulldogs began what would be their final drive of the game.
ECI took possession and put together a 20-play, 70-yard drive. Along the way, the Bulldogs converted two fourth-down situations, including a fourth-and-24 that moved the ball to the Red Devil 7-yard line.
With a first-and-goal from the seven and a chance to tie the game, the Red Devil defense stiffened, stopping ECI inside the one-yard line, ending the Bulldogs' final scoring opportunity.
Lincoln County then ran out the remaining time on the clock to preserve the 14-7 victory in a hard-fought defensive battle.
Ab Marsh led the Bulldogs on the ground with 46 yards, followed by Malcolm Steele with 43 yards.
Davis Johnson completed 3 of 7 passes for 55 yards. Vaiden Kirkland caught two passes for 31 yards, while Ab Marsh had one reception for 24 yards, coming on the Bulldogs' fourth-down play during their final drive.
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs showed they can compete with one of the top teams in the state, holding the second-ranked Red Devils to just 14 points and 207 total yards.
After opening the season with six non-region games, the Bulldogs now enter the part of the schedule that matters most as they begin region play.
ECI will make another two-hour trip Friday, traveling to Darien to take on McIntosh County in their first region game of the season.
