Zanesville Defense Tightens The Leash On Heath Bulldogs Offense

By:
Posted on:

< < Back to zanesville-defense-tightens-the-leash-on-heath-bulldogs-offense

HEATH, Ohio (WOUB) — After a 21-12 loss to Granville last week, the Heath Bulldogs looked to bounce back at home. Meanwhile the Zanesville Blue Devils aimed to rebound from a 26-13 loss against Fort Frye.

Heath looked to start fast by going deep on the first play, but Brayden Bayless’s pass was intercepted by Zanesville’s Trey Wyatt, putting the Blue Devils in a position to strike first. They did just that, as Jordan Martin scurried his way downfield from 31 yards out. The extra point was good, giving Zanesville a 7-0 lead. 

Zanesville’s defense was not done yet as they continued their strong first quarter with yet another interception by Trey Wyatt. The second of three interceptions in the game. This led to a field goal attempt for the Devils that was blocked by the Dogs and recovered by Riley Gould, giving the Bulldogs some much needed juice. 

However, the defense remained impermeable for Zanesville, forcing a three-and-out. Once again, Jordan Martin wasted no time finding the end zone again on a 23 yard dash to increase the lead to 14 over Heath. The score at halftime was 21-0 after Zanesville added another rushing touchdown.

Entering into the second half, Keylan Williams made a fantastic one handed catch on a pass thrown by Bayless from 23 yards out to start a comeback campaign for the Dogs. Right when Heath started generating momentum, the Blue Devil’s defense shut the door on any comeback attempt in the fourth quarter when Zanesville’s Kanye Evans picked up a Heath fumble and took it to the end zone to put the game on ice. The Blue Devils cruised to a 48-7 victory.

Braydon Bayless of the Heath Bulldogs evading the Zanesville Blue Devils defense on their game, in Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. The Blue Devils went to win the game with a score of 48-7.
Jordan Martin of the Zanesville Blue Devils charging into the defense to be tacked by Keylan Williams, center, jersey number 1, of the Bulldogs, in their game against the Heath Bulldogs, in Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. The Blue Devils went to win the game with a score of 48-7.
Brody Goldsmith of the Zanesville Blue Devils tackled by Conner Toomey of the Bulldogs in their game against the Heath Bulldogs, in Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. The Blue Devils went to win the game with a score of 48-7.
Riley Gould of the Heath Bulldogs getting tackled in their game against the Zanesville Blue Devils, in Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. The Blue Devils went to win the game with a score of 48-7.
Braydon Bayless of the Heath Bulldogs making a deep pass in their game against the Zanesville Blue Devils, in Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. The Blue Devils went to win the game with a score of 48-7.
Brody Goldsmith of the Zanesville Blue Devils regaining his balance in their game against the Heath Bulldogs, in Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. The Blue Devils went to win the game with a score of 48-7.
Trey Whiteman of the Zanesville Blue Devils mid air after being tackled by Mitchell McClain, bottom left, in their game against the Heath Bulldogs, in Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. The Blue Devils went to win the game with a score of 48-7.
Conner Toomey of the Heath Bulldogs being tackled in their game against the Zanesville Blue Devils, in Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. The Blue Devils went to win the game with a score of 48-7.
Keylan Williams of the Heath Bulldogs receiving a pass, scoring the Bulldogs their first touchdown in their game against the Zanesville Blue Devils, in Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. The Blue Devils went to win the game with a score of 48-7.
ArMoni McCrae of the Heath Bulldogs fumbles the ball which was picked up by Trey Wyatt of the Blue Devils, number 13, in their game against the Zanesville Blue Devils, in Ohio, on Friday, Sept. 17, 2021. The Blue Devils went to win the game with a score of 48-7.

Zanesville exemplified smash-mouth football as they finished with six rushing touchdowns on the day. Jordan Martin and Michael Norman led the way with two touchdowns each for ZHS. In addition, The Blue Devil’s defense was impermeable all night forcing five turnovers. As for Heath, Keylan Williams had his second touchdown catch in as many weeks. 

 Next week, Heath (3-2) will take the road to play winless Lakewood while Zanesville (2-2) matches up with Licking Valley.