Bulldogs Season Ends 9-1 After Tough Loss to Norris

10/9/25 -- Spring City, Tennessee -- Norris won the toss and decided to receive the second half kickoff. East Fuller received the opening kickoff at he Bulldog 46 yard-line. Myles Vineyard and Spencer Campbell carried the ball during the first drive, as the Bulldogs moved the ball down the field to around the 11 yard-line, where Campbell finished the drive with a touchdown run for the 6-0 lead with 47 seconds remaining in the first quarter. The 2-point conversion attempt was a pass that fell short.

Norris returned the kickoff back to their 47 yard-line. Norris came out throwing with two completions to move the ball across midfield, but Norris turned the ball over on downs at the 46 of the Bulldogs. Collyn Brock had a nice run to move the ball down to the 33 yard-line and Campbell followed that run with two nice run to move the ball to the 4 yard-line before a penalty pushed Bulldogs back to the 9. The Bulldogs lost a touchdown pass on a holding penalty to move ball back to the 18 yard-line. On the next play a Norris defender, Cooper Downs stepped in front of receiver for the interception, which he ran out the Norris 14-yard line. Camyden Wilcox had nice run for the Senators to move out past the 20 yard-line. Wilcox hauled in a long pass from Cooper Downs to move the Senators to the 10 with 15.8 seconds left on the clock. Downs then found Hunter Wade for the touchdown pass to tie the score. Senators added a 2-point conversion pass for the 8-6 lead with seconds remaining in the half to secure the halftime lead.

Norris received the second half opening kickoff and fell on ball at the 35 yard-line. Wade had big gain to move the ball inside the Bulldogs' 20 yard-line. Senators stayed on the ground and earned a first-and-goal at the 5 yard-line and Wade took it into endzone from there for 14-6 lead. Wilcox scored on a pitchback from the receiver for 2 more points and the 16-8 lead with 3:16 left in third quarter.

The short kick was returned to the Bulldogs' 46 yard-line. A 15-yard penalty took the ball back to the 36 yard-line. Bulldogs faked the punt and came up just short at midfield, turning ball over on downs to the Senators. A penalty negated a big gain by Norris and cost the a 30-yard gain. Two consecutive illegal procedure penalties moved the ball back another 10 yards and a pass deflection on 3rd down forced a punt by Norris. As third quarter ended, the punt rolled dead around the 23 yard-line.

Myles Vineyard was one tackle away from a touchdown, but settled for a 34-yard gain to the 43 yard-line of Senators. Spencer Campbell picked up a big 3rd down and moved the ball to the 23 of Norris. Vineyard earned another first down at the 13 yard-line. Collyn Brock carried about six defenders down inside the 10. The Norris defense made it tough and Bulldogs lost some precious time off the clock, but finally scored with 3:13 left on the clock as Spencer Campbell broke 2 tackles on his way to the touchdown. The 2-point conversion pass was incomplete and with 3:13 left Bulldogs were still in the game.

The onside kick was secured by Norris at the 40-yard line. Senators earned a first down with couple of tough runs and with 3:04 left, Bulldogs needed some help. But a penalty on big third down gave the Senators very short 3th and inches. With 1:20 left on clock, Norris ran for the first and then ran the clock out to win the game, 16-12.

This was not what Spring City has hoped for, but it was a good opponent making some spectacular plays to earn this one. Bulldogs did not give up and came back with late touchdown, but just ran out of time in this one. Bulldogs finish with 9-1 record and had a great season.

Coach Loden told the team, "WE had two good teams going at it tonight. We made some mistakes tonight and it cost us. Overall, you have had a great year. I hurt for you and feel for you. I am proud of you. Way to not stop and keep battling. 8th graders, we will miss you. You represented Spring City very well. I love you."

TVAA All Conference for Spring City: # 11 Spencer Campbell, # 20 Collyn Brock, # 24 Myles Vineyard, # 50 Aiden Roberts and # 52 Brantley Harris.

TVAA All Conference for Norris: # 25 Camdyn Wilcox, # 5 Hunter Wade, #2 Cooper Downs, # 55 Jax Vallentine, and Stephen Brackney,

Defensive MVP went to # 51 Max Shaw of Norris.

Offensive MVP of Championship went to Hunter Wade of Norris.