Priceville upsets West Morgan
Trey Jones breaks the tackle of West Morgan's Nicholas Burkett, while Nick Bell tries to block. Bell caught the game-winning touchdown pass. | Brent Maze
TRINITY – Priceville’s Bulldogs took the air out of the West Morgan Rebels with a 36-yard touchdown pass in the final minute of the game and went on to record a dramatic 37-33 season-opening win Thursday night.
Joseph Hockett runs across the field during a kickoff return. | Brent Maze
The Chance Ellsworth-Nic Bell bomb erased a 33-30 late fourth quarter deficit and propelled the Bulldogs to their first win in 19 games.
“I was real pleased with our kids,” said Priceville’s first year head coach Dirk Strunk. I was a great win.”
“I kept telling our kids all week that they needed to stay positive no matter what, and it worked out for them” Strunk added.
“I was pleased with our passing game and the way our offensive line protected the passer and gave him some time to get rid of the ball. We’ve still got a lot to do on our running game and we need that to have a balanced attack. We have a very tough assignment this week when we open regional play against a very good Central-Florence team.”
The Rebels were in control of the game in the first half as they ran up a 20-14 halftime lead and led 27-14 early in the third quarter on the strength of an explosive running game. The Bulldogs fought their way back into the game in the third period by scoring 16 unanswered points and pulled ahead in the final period, 30-27.
The Rebels regained the lead at 33-30 with 2:50 left in the final period, setting up Priceville’s game-winning touchdown pass with 50 seconds left.
Ellsworth had a breakout game for the Bulldogs, completing 11 of 19 passes for 232 yard and four touchdowns. Harold Blades had four catches for 135 yards, two receiving touchdowns and one rushing touchdown.
Joseph Hockett (28), Zac Smith (16) and head coach Dirk Strunk celebrate with Harold Blades, who had just scored a 42-yard touchdown run. | Brent Maze
Kobi Mears runs for the end zone to score Priceville's second touchdown. | Brent Maze
