Bulldogs fall to Woodlawn

News-Times Staff WOODLAWN - Javonte Newton and Desmond Newton had touchdown runs in the first quarter to help propel Strong to an early lead, but a disastrous second quarter ultimate did in the Bulldogs, as Woodlawn topped Strong 29-18 in an 8-2A contest on Friday night.

The Bulldogs couldn’t have asked for a better start, as they jumped out to an 18-6 lead.

On Woodlawn’s first offensive play of the game, Keshaun Howell dropped Braden Sparks for a 4-yard loss that resulted in a safety.

Just 33 seconds after the Bulldogs’ defense opened the scoring, a 40-yard run by Javonte Newton set up a 15-yard touchdown run by Desmond Newton. Newton ran in the two-point conversion to give the Bulldogs (1-7, 0-6) an early 10-0 lead.

However, Woodlawn (4-3, 1-3) answered with a 6-play, 50-yard drive that was culminated by Dalton Rissinger’s 1-yard run with 3:13 left in the opening period.

Strong had a chance to end the drive, but the Bears converted a fourth-and-6 with an 18-yard pass play from Zane Breshears to Rissinger.

But it wouldn’t take long for the Bulldogs to restore a double-digit lead.

Ricky Correa returned an onsides kick attempt 22 yards to Woodlawn’s 38, and Javonte Newton took matters over from there, scoring on a 36-yard run.

Desmond Newton added the two-point conversion to make it 18-6, which was the score at the end of the first period.

But from that point on, it was all Woodlawn.

Rissinger plunged into the end zone for the second time on a 1-yard run, and the Bears again came up with a huge fourthdown conversion.

On fourth-and-13, Rissinger hooked up with Nick Ward for an 18-yard gain to Strong’s 3.

Rissinger then connected with Trevor Monk to complete the two-point conversion to cut the Bulldogs’ lead to 18-14.

The Bears then got the ball right back after recovering a fumble on the kickoff, and they took advantage, as Ward scored on a 5-yard run to finish off a 35-yard drive.

Rissinger then ran in the two-point conversion to give the Bears a 22-18 lead with 1:12 left in the first half. The score remained unchanged until the fourth quarter when the Bears put the game away.

After rushing for a pair of scores in the first half, Rissinger went through the air for his third total touchdown in the game, as he threw a 5-yard strike to Monk to finish a 13-play, 72-yard drive.

Sparks’ extra point made the final margin.

Penalties were an issue for both teams with Strong finishing with 13 penalties for 131 yards, while the Bears had eight penalties for 75 yards.