Bulldogs maul Patriots on homecoming
Priceville senior Marissa Shavers, center, was crowned Priceville High homecoming queen in a halftime ceremony at the Priceville vs. Brewer football game Friday night. Standing is her father, Greg Shavers, on her left and her principal Mark Mason on her right. | Clif Knight
Priceville’s Bulldogs gave their fans plenty to brag about as they stormed past Brewer’s Patriots 44-13 in a season-ending homecoming clash at Bulldog Stadium Friday night.
The win added a new page to the school’s football record book. It was the first win against the Patriots in four years helped achieve a school-best 3-7 record in four years. In addition, quarterback Chance Ellsworth’s 12 of 20 pass completions for 261 yards and four touchdowns enabled him to set school records for most yards passing and most touchdowns passing in a single season.
“This was a big win for us,” said Priceville head coach Dirk Strunk, who was doused with ice water at the end of the game. “First of all it enabled our seniors to go out with a homecoming win against one of their rivals. Second, we were able to close out the season on a high note. Hopefully, we’ll be able to use this as a building block for the future.
“I’m proud of all of these kids and I love every one of them,” Strunk added. “They worked hard all season and it makes me feel good that they were able to end the season with a win.”
The Bulldogs dodged a bullet early in the first quarter after turning the ball over on a fumble at their own 26-yard line. But the Patriots were unable to take advantage of the break, turning the ball over on downs after reaching Priceville’s 6-yard line.
Priceville grabbed a 3-0 lead on a 25-yard Nick Bell field goal with 44 seconds left in the first period. Bell’s kick capped a 77-yard drive in 11 plays.
The Patriots responded by scoring on a 77-yard run by Josh Wilson. Hunter Griffin converted the extra point to make the score 7-3 with 7:03 left in the first half.
Priceville regained the lead for good on its next possession by marching 58 yards in eight plays and scoring on a 25-yard Ellsworth to Harold Blades pass. Bell booted the extra point to give his team a 10-7 halftime. advantage.
The Bulldogs stretched their lead to 17-7 on a 58-yard pass from Ellsworth to Trey Jones with 8:13 left in the third period. Bell kicked the extra point.
A 30-yard pass from Ellsworth to Bell accounted for the Bulldogs third touchdown. Bell kicked the extra point to make the score 24-7 with 11:30 left in the final period.
On Priceville’s next possession, Ellsworth and Bell hooked up on a 43-yard pass play to record another touchdown. Bell kicked the extra point to make the score 31-7 with 7:23 left in the game.
The Bulldogs struck quickly for two more TDs in the final half of the fourth quarter. Joseph Hockett dove over the goal line from a yard out and Bell added the extra point to make the score 38-7 and Forrest Clemons scored on a 4-yard run to make the score 44-7 with 37 seconds left in the gamer.
The Patriots logged their second score on a 20-yard pass form Griffin to Weston Pritchett with 11.5 seconds left in the game. The extra point failed, leaving the final score at 44-13.
Priceville collected 261 yards passing and 166 yards rushing for a combined 427 yards of offense. The Patriots had 170 yards rushing and 135 yards passing.
