Patriots handle Bulldogs in rivalry game

For the Enquirer

Brewer used a solid offensive performance to beat Priceville 28-6 in a renewal of their rivalry. The win was Brewer’s first win over the Bulldogs since their 36-14 victory in 2018.

“It was a big night for Brewer Patriot football,” said coach Matt Plunkett. “This team has put in a lot of time preparing for a game like tonight.”

The Patriots got on the board first with a five-yard touchdown run by CJ Watson with 2:25 left in the first quarter. The scoring run capped off a 61-yard possession.

Brewer extended their lead to 14-0 with a 32-yard Cason Oden touchdown pass to Cam Ballinger with 8:40 left in the second quarter. They pushed their lead to 21-0 with 2:04 left in the first half when Watson scored on a two-yard run.

The Bulldogs dominated the third quarter by keeping possession of the ball for the entire quarter, but the Patriots extended their lead to 28-0 when Clay Clemons picked up a Priceville fumble at the 20-yard line and ran it in for a touchdown.

Priceville finally got on the board with 10 seconds left when Zavion Camel scored on a three-yard run to make the final score 28-6 after a missed extra point.

Brewer’s Oden finished 11-of-13 for 212 yards and a touchdown. Ballinger finished with three catches and a score, while Hunter Knighten had four catches for 64 yards. Watson had 57 yards rushing and two scores on nine carries, while Walker Latham added 44 yards on 15 carries.

The Patriots’ defense held Priceville to 222 yards of offense, 131 yards passing and 91 yards rushing.

“I am proud of how our defense played tonight,” Plunkett said. “They studied a lot of film this week and had a good idea of what the Bulldogs might try and do.”

Brewer (1-1) opens Class 5A, Region 8 play next week at Guntersville. Priceville (1-1) hosts Ardmore in its Class 5A, Region 7 opener.