Halloween night saw the ECI Bulldogs hosting the Screven Co. Gamecocks for the region championship and the number one seed entering the state playoffs.
The atmosphere in Rountree was playoff caliber, with packed stands on both sides and standing room only around the field. The last time the stadium had this type of setting was in 2017 when the Bulldogs defeated Calvary 28-21 in overtime to win the region championship.
With both defenses ranked it the top 10 in points given up, it looked to be a low scoring defensive battle and for the most part it was.
After a scoreless first quarter, both teams finally dented the scoreboard in the second quarter.
The Bulldogs looked to have put the first points on the board with a short field goal, but was called no good as it crossed just inside the uprights.
Screven Co. took the game’s first lead on a 22 yard field goal in the second to lead 3-0.
The Bulldogs took the lead after the ensuing kickoff driving 60 yards for the game’s first touchdown.
Ab Marsh crossed the goal line from 6 yards out. Jackson Kennedy’s kick was good to put the Bulldogs up 7-3.
The Gamecocks took back the lead later in the second quarter on a Ward 9-yard run. Extra point try was blocked with Screven taking a 9-7 lead into the locker room.
After recognizing the 2007 and 2012 championship teams during halftime, the fans were in store for another classic second half.
The Bulldogs took back the lead in the third quarter on a 2-yard run by Tyler Foreman. Jackson Kennedy to Davis Johnson 2 point try was good and the Bulldogs led 15-9.
Ward once again found paydirt for the Gamecocks in the third quarter on a 11-yard touchdown run. Two point try was no good as the third quarter ended tied at 15-15.
The Bulldogs took back the lead in the fourth quarter. Daon Bethea intercepted a Ward pass taking it down to the Gamecock 28-yard line. Ab Marsh turned the visitor’s side corner on the first play on a 28-yard touchdown run. The Bulldogs elected to go for 2, which was no good, to lead Screven 21-15.
Ward once again found the endzone late in the fourth quarter from 14 yards out. Kick was good and the Gamecocks took a one-point lead 22-21.
With time left on the clock the Bulldogs were looking for the go ahead score. ECI drove it from their own 40 to the Gamecock 28. The drive ended on the eleventh play with a Screven interception on fourth down.
The Gamecocks ran out the clock to win the game 22-21.
The Bulldogs rushed for 135 with another 132 yards through the air.
AB Marsh led the Bulldogs on the ground with 6 rushes for 50 yards and 2 touchdowns. Chase Johnson ended the game with 6 carries for 45 yards and Tyler Foreman had 28 yards and one touchdown.
Jackson Kennedy was 14-21 for 132 yards with Chase Johnson grabbing 7 balls for 54 yards to lead the 6 different receivers catching passes during the game.
The Bulldogs held the Gamecocks to just 179 total yards and Sceven’s 1100-yard rusher, AB Hilton to just 44 yards on 17 carries.
The Bulldogs will be the number two seed from region 3 in the state playoffs and will host GMC on Friday, November 14 in the first round.
Along with the Bulldogs, Screven Co. will host #4 seed from region 5 Glascock Co., number 3 seed Jenkins Co. will travel to Irwinton to take on Wilkinson Co. and McIntosh will be in Wrightsville to face number 1 seed Johnson Co.
Kennedy to Johnson for a first down
