Collyn Graham, E. J. Casteneda, Roark Moody and Spencer Campbell from 2024 Bulldog Media Day.(Photo:GaryBolden)
Bulldogs Recover 2 Onside Kicks and Score Touchdowns on First 3 Possessions in the Win
Spring City, TN -- Spring City hosted Lenoir City on Thursday, August 22, 2024. The Bulldogs came into the game with a record of 1-1 after a win on the road at Clinton and loss to Robertsville. Also lost in the Robertsville game were two starters for the Bulldogs Roark Moody and Collyn Graham. Mylez Ganskow moved over from line spot to be available for running duties behind Campbell and Thomas. E. J. Casteneda, Spencer Campbell and Harlan Thomas served as captains at midfield meetings. Bulldogs won the toss and elected to receive. The Bulldogs had a nice drive with several good runs down to the 20 yard line, where Casteneda found Campbell for the 20 yard touchdown pass reception. The 2 point conversion was no good.
Cayden Jolley kicked the onside kick and Ganskow recovered the ball at the Lenoir City 47 for the Bulldogs. Casteneda had a nice run down to 28 and later in the drive Casteneda and Campbell hooked up for a replay of the first touchdown, this one from around 12 yardline for Bulldog's second touchdown. The Bulldogs added the 2-point conversion to push their lead to 14-0 late in the first quarter.
Jolley went back to the onside kick and Ganskow again recovered the ball on the Lenoir City 41 this time. The quarter ended during this possession. After a flag pushed the Bulldogs back to the 48 of Spring City, the Bulldogs began the 52 yard drive. A lot of Harlan Thomas running the ball in this drive with runs of 22 and 10 yards before Casteneda found the end zone from 18 yards out for the 20-0 lead, which was pushed to 22 on the 2 point conversion run by Campbell.
Lenoir City finally corralled the kickoff at their 47. Lenoir City found success in the air with a couple of long pass plays, the last for a touchdown of 14 yards. They were unsucessful on the 2-point conversion and the trailed 22-6. The Bulldogs received the kickoff at their own 46 yardline. After a Ganskow pass reception and Campbell run, the Bulldogs turned the ball over on a fumble at the Lenoir City 41. Lenoir City lost a long run into Bulldog territory on a penalty and then lost to time as halftime horn sounded with Bulldogs up 22-6.
The Bulldogs defense held Lenoir City out of the endzone for the second half and Bulldogs finished with the 22-8 win over Lenoir City. Up next for Bulldogs is a home matchup with County rival Rhea Middle School in the Ridge to River Classic. That game will be at 7:30 pm on Thursday, August 29, 2024. Rhea Middle School comes in with a 1-1 record with a win over McMinn and loss to Sequatchie. Always a battle for these two teams of opponents that one day many will be teammates for the Rhea County Eagles. Coach Roy Guthrie will lead the Eagles as he begins his third year at the helm of Rhea Middle after spending several years on the staff of Anthony Loden at Spring City.