Athens dominates Alexander in cross-county rivalry
By: Ella Hughes
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ALBANY, Ohio (WOUB)– Alexander and Athens met in Week Four for a cross-county rivalry matchup. The Bulldogs got off to a slow start but showed out in the second quarter, scoring 33 points. Athens would walk away with a dominant 0-0 win over the Spartans.
Alexander started the game with the ball, and their first drive looked promising. Isaac McCune had a nice run to start the series, followed by a big pass from Carter Jewell to Jackson Steward, which put the Spartans in a good position to score early. The Bulldog defense forced a 41-yard field goal attempt that fell short, and Athens got the ball after a turnover on downs.
Bulldogs play some small ball to start their drive, but a 15-yard facemask penalty on the Spartans would put Athens on the Alexander side of 50. Briar Thomas and Tyriq Cunningham’s connection was on point tonight, helping to put the Bulldogs in scoring position. Luke Pero would reach the end zone for the first score of the game, 7-0 Athens.
Spartan ball again, and they would drive down the field hoping to keep this game close early in the second, but this Athens defense was not going down without a fight. Alexander would attempt a 37-yard field goal, but the Bulldogs would block the kick; Athens would get the ball.
Pero yet again led this Bulldog squad down the field, putting them in prime scoring position. Cohen Stalder would find the ball over his shoulder from Thomas for another Athens touchdown, but blocked kicks were the theme of the night, 13-0.
The Spartans struggled to get anything going on offense even with their strong o-line and another turnover on downs. A minute after their last touchdown, Pero found the end zone again to put the Bulldogs up three scores. Pero was all over the field tonight because on the next Spartan possession he had a huge interception to put his offense back on the field.
Blake Tanner and Thomas would connect for a 42-yard touchdown, but another blocked extra point would keep the game 26-0 Athens. A miscommunication on the following kickoff results in an Athens possession at the Spartan 3-yard line. Who other than Pero to run this one in for the score, 33-0. A Thomas quarterback keeper would add to the Bulldogs’ lead and end the half up 40-0.
A dominant second quarter with Athens scoring 33 points would be all she wrote for the Alexander Spartans, and they would fall 47-6. Athens will host the Vinton County Vikings next week, and the Spartans will head to Wellston in a big matchup.