Rain and a Thursday night kickoff did little to keep ECI or Swainsboro fans away from Rountree Stadium.
The stands were packed, and the fences were several people deep on both sides of the field as fans from both communities came out to support their teams in the county rivalry. They certainly got their money’s worth, as the Bulldogs and Tigers battled until the final seconds, with the outcome still in doubt until the final 30 seconds.
In a game that featured plenty of big plays, the contest was primarily a defensive battle through much of the first half with the difference in the game, a late first half Tiger kickoff return for touchdown. The scoreboard remained blank until late in the second quarter, but the final two minutes produced a flurry of scoring that sent the Tigers into halftime with a 14-7 advantage.
Both teams turned the ball over on their opening possessions.
Swainsboro ended the Bulldogs' first drive with an interception at the Tiger 25-yard line. ECI’s defense quickly returned the favor, forcing a Swainsboro fumble at the ECI 6-yard line to end a promising Tiger scoring opportunity.
Neither team could capitalize on another scoring chance until late in the second quarter.
With just under two minutes remaining in the half, Davis Johnson connected with TJ Weaver on a pass along the sideline. Weaver turned the catch into a 44-yard touchdown, racing down the sideline to put the Bulldogs on the board. Lawson Frye added the extra point, giving ECI a 7-0 lead with 1:25 remaining.
Just when it appeared the Bulldogs had seized the momentum, the Tigers answered in a hurry.
Swainsboro returned the ensuing kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown, tying the game at 7-7 with 1:15 left in the half.
The Bulldogs stayed aggressive on offense. However, the decision came with a costly price. On second-and-11 from the ECI 37-yard line, the Tigers intercepted a Bulldog pass and returned it to the ECI 19.
Swainsboro needed just one play to take advantage, scoring on a 19-yard touchdown pass to put the Tigers ahead 14-7 at the break.
Swainsboro extended its lead on the opening drive of the third quarter when Gray connected with Benjamin on a 15-yard touchdown pass, pushing the Tigers' advantage to 21-7.
But the Bulldogs refused to fold.
The heart of the Dawgs came to the forefront as ECI answered with an impressive 85-yard, 15-play drive. The Bulldogs converted two fourth-down opportunities along the way before Davis Johnson finished the drive with a two-yard quarterback keeper.
The touchdown pulled ECI within 21-14 late in the third quarter and gave the Bulldogs new life.
The two teams traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter.
Miles put Swainsboro back up by two scores with a 13-yard touchdown run. Once again, the Bulldogs responded.
Johnson found Chase Johnson on a 24-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone. Chase Johnson made a spectacular play on the ball, outjumping a Tiger defender who was draped around him to come down with the touchdown.
Frye's extra point was good, cutting the Swainsboro lead to 28-21 and keeping the Bulldogs within striking distance late in the fourth quarter.
ECI's defense then came up with a stop, giving the Bulldogs an opportunity to tie the game.
Swainsboro, however, pinned ECI deep at its own 13-yard line. The Bulldogs' third interception of the night came at the ECI 37-yard line, allowing the Tigers to take possession and run out the clock on a hard-fought 28-21 victory.
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs showed plenty of fight in battling back from a 21-7 deficit.
Ab Marsh once again led the Bulldog rushing attack, carrying 12 times for 42 hard-earned yards. Malcolm Steele added 32 yards on five carries, while Davis Johnson finished with 20 rushing yards.
Johnson completed 8 of 16 passes for two touchdowns. Weaver caught two passes for 52 yards and a touchdown, while Chase Johnson hauled in three passes for 44 yards and a touchdown.
Following the game, Coach Chad Harper had nothing but praise for his Bulldogs and the way they responded to adversity throughout the night.
The Bulldogs will have a needed extra day of rest following the physical county battle before returning to action Friday night.
ECI will travel to face the Class AAAAA Statesboro Blue Devils. Statesboro enters the matchup with a 2-0 record after soundly defeating Southeast Bulloch in the season opener and slipping past Burke County 29-22 Friday night. The Bulldogs and Blue Devils last met in a scrimmage game in 2007.
Kickoff in Womack Field at Statesboro High School is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
