The ECI Bulldogs improved to 3-0 in region play Friday night with a convincing 41-13 victory over Montgomery County in Mt. Vernon. The win sets up a showdown this Friday at Rountree Stadium, where the Bulldogs will host Portal in their final regular-season game.
The Panthers enter Friday’s contest with a 2-0 region record and two games remaining, including their matchup with ECI and next Friday’s game against McIntosh County. A win over Portal would secure the region championship for the Bulldogs and guarantee ECI a spot among the top 16 teams entering the state playoffs, which begin in two weeks.
The GHSA playoff format provides spots for the eight region champions and eight additional teams with the highest power rankings. The 16 host teams will be determined by the final power rankings, with the remaining teams ranked 17-32 traveling for the first round. While the playoff system can be a little confusing, the Bulldogs know what is at stake Friday night: a region championship and the opportunity to host a first-round playoff game.
Friday’s victory over Montgomery County was ECI’s third game in eight days and its second road game in just four days. The demanding schedule did little to slow the Bulldogs. Over those three games, ECI averaged just over 39 points per contest while allowing only 28 points. Of those points, 21 came after games were well in hand and Bulldog starters had left the field.
The Bulldogs scored in each of the first three quarters against the Eagles, building a commanding 41-0 lead before Montgomery County got on the scoreboard. The ECI defense showed no signs of fatigue, holding the Eagles scoreless through the first three quarters while intercepting three passes, including one returned for a touchdown.
ECI scored its first touchdown in the opening quarter when quarterback Davis Johnson connected with Vaiden Kirkland in the end zone on fourth-and-goal from the nine-yard line. The score gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead. Ab Marsh followed with a one-yard touchdown run to extend the advantage to 14-0.
Marsh found the end zone twice more in the second quarter, scoring on runs of nine and four yards. His two touchdowns helped the Bulldogs carry a 28-0 lead into halftime.
Kirkland opened the scoring in the third quarter with a 15-yard touchdown run, taking the ball to the right side to increase ECI’s lead to 34-0.
The Bulldogs’ final touchdown came courtesy of the defense. Defensive end Marcus Gadsen intercepted an Eagle pass at the 15-yard line and returned it for a touchdown. Gadsen battled through and dragging defenders over the final 10 yards to complete the pick-six and put ECI ahead 41-0.
Montgomery County scored late in the third quarter and added another touchdown in the fourth, but the Bulldogs had already done their damage, securing their third region victory by a final score of 41-13.
In addition to Gadsen’s interception return for a touchdown, Chase Johnson and Vaiden Kirkland also picked off Eagle passes to help lead the defensive effort.
The Bulldogs finished with 302 rushing yards. Marsh led the ground attack with 89 yards and three touchdowns, while Kirkland added 83 rushing yards and a touchdown.
This Friday’s home game will also be Senior Night, giving ECI an opportunity to recognize and honor its seniors from the Class of 2027. With a region championship on the line, the Bulldogs will look to finish the regular season on a high note in front of their home crowd.
Kickoff against the Portal Panthers is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Rountree Stadium.
