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Athens Bulldog's Payton Gail #11 carries the ball against Alexander Spartan's #10 Michael Kelly during a game between Athens and Alexander on Sep 20, 2019.
Athens Bulldog’s Payton Gail #11 carries the ball against Alexander Spartan’s #10 Michael Kelly during a game between Athens and Alexander on Sep 20, 2019. (Yukai Peng/WOUB)

Bulldogs Win Homecoming Game Against Alexander

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THE PLAINS, Ohio- The Bulldogs danced away their winless streak as they won big on their homecoming night. Joey Moore and the Bulldogs took down the undefeated Spartans on Friday, 28-6.

Athens started the game out shaky as Joey Moore lost the ball on the first play, but was able to recover it. Things only trended upward from that point as Moore threw a 27 yard pass to Brayden Markins to set up a quarterback sneak for the Bulldogs’ first touchdown.

The Bulldogs kept their hot start going as Moore threw the ball three times for over 80 yards on the drive. One throw being a 46 yard touchdown pass to Markins to extend their lead to 14 points.

Alexander, meanwhile, could not get things going and would go three and out and were forced to punt at the end of the first quarter.

Alexander would start their next drive at their own 37 yard line. Easley then got the offense moving, as he completed a 48 yard pass to Michael Kelly putting the Spartans inside the red zone. Their drive was stopped short due to a fumble from Alexander’s running back Jordan Cantrell on the three yard line.

Moore and the Bulldogs capitalized on this by airing the ball out for a 41 yard touchdown pass to Braedan Halbert. The score now being 21-0, and was beginning to look very similar to last year when the Bulldogs won 50-0 over the Spartans.

Athens Bulldog's assistant coach Kris Kostival motivates the players before the game against Alexander Spartans at The Plains, Ohio on Friday Sep 20, 2019. (Yukai Peng/WOUB)
Alexander Spartan's Michael Kelly is brought down by Athens Bulldog's defense during a game between Athens and Alexander on Sep 20, 2019. (Yukai Peng/WOUB)
Players of Athens Bulldogs lines up for the national anthem before the game against Alexander Spartans at Athens High School on Sep 20, 2019. (Yukai Peng/WOUB)
Alexander Spartan's Michael Kelly #10 is brought down by the defense of Athens Bulldogs during a game between Athens and Alexander in Athens High School on Sep 20, 2019. (Yukai Peng/WOUB)
Athens' Corbin Stalder bursts through the Bulldogs' banner before their game against the Alexander Spartans. Photo: Trent Hollon
Jordan Cantrell #20 of Alexander Spartans carries the ball breaks the tackle of Brayden Markins #13 of Athens Bulldogs during a high school varsity football game in The Plain, Ohio on Friday Sep 20, 2019. (Yukai Peng/WOUB)
Athens Joey Moore examines the field pre-snap in the Bulldogs win over the Alexander Spartans. Photo: Trent Hollon

The Spartans were looking to make something happen on their next drive and went for it on fourth down but Easley was stopped short, forcing a turnover on downs.

Athens started their drive on their own 43 yard line and continued to find success through the air. That success was stopped short when Easley committed some quarterback-on-quarterback crime and  intercepted Moore’s passing attempt giving the Spartans one last shot to score before the end of the first half.

In the last play of the half, Easley was forced out of the pocket and threw the ball to the back of the end zone but couldn’t connect with receiver Matthew Brown.

Alexander received the kick to start the third quarter and Easley would march the Spartans down the field finishing the drive with a 13 yard touchdown run. Athens would go on to block their extra point attempt leaving the score at 21-6.

The Spartans would remain scoreless for the remainder of the game, but the Bulldogs found themselves in the end zone one more time. Corbin Stalder broke loose for a 48 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, putting a cap on their 22 point win.

Moore and the Bulldogs head to Vinton County next week with hopes to continue passing the ball and winning games like they did tonight. Moore finished the game with 242 passing yards accounting for two touchdowns, which aided the Bulldogs 407 total offensive yards. Alexander will look to regroup next week as they face the Wellston Rockets at their house. They look to improve their offensive play as they finished with over 100 offensive yards less than Athens.