Dogs Can’t Gain Momentum

PASCO - Momentum was the name of the game Friday for the Dayton football team and something the Dogs couldn't pick up against the Tri-Cities Prep Jaguars, falling in a heart­breaking loss, 42-0.

In the first quarter, the Bull­dogs were able to keep the Jag­uars to one touchdown although the Bulldogs were unable to take the ball into the end zone.

The Bulldogs, running with several injured players, were able to save their errors and keep the Jaguars out of the end zone for any more scores.

The first quarter ended with a score of 7-0, Jaguars.

In the first minutes of the second quarter, the Bulldogs seemed like they might gain some traction.

A big sack from Kane Hack­ett pushed the Jaguars back 8 yards during a run close to end zone. The Bulldogs played off of that momentum after the ball was turned over picking up a first down, but quickly lost the ball af­ter a fumble was recovered by the Jaguars. The Jaguars wasted no time passing the ball into the end zone for their second touchdown and successful point after at­tempt, bringing the score to 14-0.

The Bulldogs struggled to gain ground during their next possession, turning over on downs after an unsuccessful fourth and one attempt.

The Jaguars moved the ball quickly down the field in re­sponse to the turnover putting up several first downs and heading straight into the end zone for an­other touchdown and successful point after with 1:09 left in the half, bringing the score to 21-0.

The half ended with a score of 21-0, Jaguars.

After halftime, the Jaguars jogged back to the field, but the Bulldogs approached slowly and quietly, looking drained and tired.

Despite the cold wind and the rain, the Bulldogs returned the opening kickoff and moved the ball down the field. Hackett picked up a first down with a 7-yard carry and Bulldog Wyatt Frame broke down the field with what looked like another big play. But the referees thought otherwise, penalizing the play for a block in the back, moving the Bulldogs back 10 yards and negating the majority of Frame's run.

Isaiah Lambert followed suit, making a great run down the field and marking the second big run lost to a foul. With their momentum stunted by penalties, the Bulldogs punted the ball back to the Jaguars who were ready to pounce. With 2:20 left in the third quarter, the Jaguars moved into the end zone and scored another touchdown with a suc­cessful point after, bringing the score to 28-0.

The Bulldogs responded to the touchdown with three first downs during their possession but they couldn't get the ball to goal before the end of the quarter.

In the final quarter, the Bull­dogs opened with a loss of 10 yards after a big sack from the Jaguars. Unable to make up lost yardage, the Bulldogs punted to turn over the ball and the kick was blocked for a loss, putting the Jaguars closer to a scoring position.

The Jaguars took the ball directly to goal, scoring a touch­down with 9:34 left in the game, bringing the score to 35-0.

The Bulldogs responded by moving the ball down the field but lost the ball to a Jaguar inter­ception. Despite Bulldog persis­tence, the Jaguars moved the ball down the field quickly for the final touchdown of the game with 4:21 left on the clock, bringing the final score to 42-0, Jaguars.

Head Coach Dean Bickel­haupt said it was frustrating to lose momentum during big runs to foul flags by referees.

"(Some of) our starters are banged up," Bickelhaupt said. "(But) the kids keep fighting."

The Bulldogs have a bye week this week and will resume play against Mabton on Friday, Oct. 26 at Mabton.