Priceville wins its jamboree
By Staff
Joe Holmes, Enquirer Correspondent
Huge. Historic. Breathtaking. Pick any adjective you like. Priceville's win over the 5A Brewer Patriots may have come in a pre-season jamboree contest, but it was a giant step for the growing 2A program.
The Bulldogs rallied from a 19-9 deficit to post two clutch fourth quarter touchdowns and a 23-19 victory.
Priceville opened the scoring early with a three-yard touchdown scamper by quarterback Hunter Teague. Brad Helton toed the extra point to put the visitors up 7-0.
Brewer answered on a 42-yard jaunt by senior tailback Joseph Burton to knot the game at 7-7.
Priceville's J.R. Westmore-land put a safety on the board for PHS when he sacked Brewer quarterback Lucas Wilson in the endzone, making the half-time score 9-7 Bulldogs.
The Patriots would rally to post two more scores in the second half on an 11-yard touchdown pass by Wilson and a 16-yard run by Burton. Both PAT's failed but Brewer held a 19-9 lead until momentum swung in Priceville's favor on a key fumble recovery.
The Bulldogs took advantage of the miscue and scored on a nine-yard pass from Teague to receiver Brad Helton. Helton added the PAT to pull the Dogs within three with only minutes remaining in the game.
The Bulldog defense stiffened and put the Priceville offense back in business at midfield with under three minutes remaining. Methodically the Bulldogs marched down the field, converting a key fourth-and-short call to set up Westmoreland for a two-yard score.
With a 23-19 lead and under a minute to play, the Priceville defense spread the field to prevent a last second Brewer score. A 55-yard scamper by Burton was called back due to a illegal block. Teague then picked off Wilson's final Hail Mary pass to seal the deal and send the Bulldogs down the mountain with the win.
'I was very proud of the boys for not giving up," said head coach Marty Chambers. "They showed a lot of class by hanging in and taking advantage of the opportunities we had to get back in the game at the end."
Teague finished the evening with 62 yards passing on five completions. Westmoreland was the leading Priceville rusher with 107 yards on 16 carries. Eli Allen added 38 yards on 15 carries. The Bulldogs picked up nine first downs.
Priceville will travel to Hanceville Friday night for its first regular season game.
