Bulldogs snap long scoreless streak
DECATUR — As the sun set over Bulldog Stadium in Decatur Friday night, students, teachers, family and friends gathered in the stands to watch the Decatur Bulldog varsity football team take on the Bigelow Panthers in the 2022 season finale. But this game would have a surprise in store for Bulldogs fans in the form of an event unseen this season.
Unlike eight of the nine previous contests, the Panthers did not score on the first, second or even the third play of the first quarter due in part to strong play on the part of the Bulldog defensive line. But this did not last long for, with a little over a minute off the first quarter clock, the Panthers found the end zone for six points. The extra point attempt failed and Bigelow had captured the lead by six.
Three minutes later, the Panthers found the end zone for their second touchdown on the night. This time the two-point conversion was good, and the Panthers extended their lead to 14. And the touchdowns kept on coming as the first half ended with the Panthers in full possession of the contest, 43-0, over the Bulldogs.
A little over three minutes into the third quarter, with the Panthers leading by 43, a miracle of sorts occurred that had Bulldog fans on their feet for the first time this season.
Decatur began a drive downfield that started at the Bulldog 35-yard line. The Bulldogs, under quarterback Brandon Montano, began a march upfield across the 50-yard line and into Panther territory. Montano continued to move the ball closer and closer to the goal line on a series of quarterback keepers that netted Decatur three first downs.
At around the Panther 20-yard line, Montano ran yet another quarterback keeper and found an opening on the right side of the field for the Bulldogs’ first touchdown of the season. Jose Uribe tried for a conversion and failed just short of the goal line. For the first time all season, the Decatur Bulldogs were finally on the scoreboard, much to the delight of the sideline and bleachers alike.
As the second half progressed, the Bigelow Panthers scored two more touchdowns, one in the third and one in the fourth, to claim the season finale, 55-6, over the Decatur Bulldogs.
The Bulldogs ended the 2022 season with no wins and 10 losses. Even though Decatur lost the finale, the Montano touchdown gave the team something to be proud of and proved what may be in store for the 2023 Decatur Bulldog varsity football team.