Bloom-Carroll loses season opener for first time since 2014
By: Maria Monesi, Reese Thompson
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CARROLL, Ohio (WOUB) — The Bulldogs fell in the season opening game against the Harvest Prep Warriors 20-7.
This marked the first opening game in 14 years that ended in a loss, breaking the winning streak since 2014. With both teams losing in the first game of the semi finals, the Warriors and Bulldogs are neck and neck.
Under new leadership this year for the Bulldogs head coach Jeremy McKinney was looking to continue to use their almighty defense in order to prevent the Warriors from scoring.
While the first quarter the Bulldogs were able to keep Harvest Prep scoreless, the defense couldn’t keep up in the second quarter. A 40 yard touchdown pass opened up the second quarter that gave the Warriors the first touchdown of the game, 7-0.
Harvest Prep extended their lead with an interception that led them into the endzone, 14-0.
Coach McKinney mentioned how the Warriors have a fast and physical football team, which the Bulldogs could not overcome with new and inexperienced players.
The Bulldogs uncharacteristically turned the ball over three times and were penalized nine times.
Going into halftime 20-0, the Bulldogs came out of the locker room with fire, and attempted to make a comeback after the kickoff. Kent State football commit Andrew Marshall dashed up the middle scoring a 20-yard touchdown run, 20-7.
Bloom Carroll prevented the Warriors from scoring completely in the second half and their defense started to take place stopping four plays straight within the two-yard line, and forced a turnover on downs.
Going into the fourth quarter the Bulldogs stalled out with a six minute drive deep in Warrior territory.
Their final chance of scoring came to an end 11 yards away from the end zone with an interception from the Warriors to close out the game.
While the Bulldogs pushed through in the second half, they held Harvest Prep to only 61 yards in 24 plays, and forced two turnovers on downs. Bulldogs’ quarterback Ethan Thanthanavong ended the game 12 of 23 passing for 152 yards and two interceptions.
While the new-faced Bulldogs team looks to continue improving and finding what clicks as a team in their game. Learning to rebuild without the significant senior figures last year leaves Coach McKinney finding the teamwork that Bloom Carroll is building.
The Bulldogs will host their next home game against on Friday against John Glenn, set for 7:00.