During Saturday’s game at West Union, Clayton Mills, 56, of Wirt County, forces a fumble and Aiden James, 1, of Dodorridge County, runs into the end zone. (Photo courtesy of Jordan Holland)
WEST UNION — In an even game between Wirt County and Doddridge County on Saturday at Klein Stansberry Field, it was the Bulldogs who made the big plays when they needed to.
Dodorridge fought his way to a 28-8 victory over the Tigers in the first round of the Class A playoffs. The Dogs will play Cameron in the quarterfinals next week.
Dodorridge’s defense forced five turnovers but didn’t let Wirt County finish some of its most promising drives.
“The defense was a little crooked, but they made plays when they needed to. They were great.” DCHS head coach Bobby Burnside said. The team improved to 9 wins and 2 losses. “One of the bigger things was the way the secondary played. It created turnovers and completely shut down their passing game. They have a very good quarterback and two very good receivers. There is.”
The Bulldogs’ pass rush sacked Wirt QB Tyler Smith twice in the first three plays of the game, but the secondary won with four interceptions, three by Leland Goodwin.
Dodorridge County’s Brycen Dixon, 3, carries the ball as Wirt County’s Braden Whipkey, 66, attempts to make a tackle during Saturday’s game in West Union. (Photo courtesy of Jordan Holland)
“He played the best game of his life.” Burnside said of the 5-foot-8 senior safety. “He had three interceptions and almost had his fourth interception. He played really well. It was a great night for him, and I think he’ll remember it forever.”
The Tigers, who finished the season 7-4, have relied on big plays in the passing game all year. Dodorridge made those plays difficult to make.
“We’re used to making explosive plays and they took that away from us today.” said Wirt head coach Jason Hickman. “That was the difference in the ballgame. Before we even got on the field, we talked about having to make explosive plays. The inside defense is solid. You can’t just run in there 15 times on a drive and score a touchdown. . . . Sometimes you have to attack with all your might, but we couldn’t do that today.”
Wilt’s defense was even with Dodorridge for most of the first half, as it was almost 0-0 at halftime. But with a minute left, DCHS entered the Tigers’ red zone and Landon Thomas made a great jumping catch on a tipped pass from Brycen Dixon for a 13-yard touchdown to make it 7-0 at the break.
A Colton Toler tackle for loss had the Bulldogs behind the sticks on their first drive of the second half, but Dixon found Thomas along the sideline for a 28-yard gain that led to Brycen Eidel’s 2-yard run. A touchdown run was decided, making it 14 yards. -0.
In Saturday’s game at West Union, Dodorridge County’s Taryn Snyder, 24, and Landon Thomas, 6, teamed up to close out Wirt County’s Holden Sears, 35. . (Photo courtesy of Jordan Holland)
Dodorridge then intercepted Aiden James, stole the ball back, and drove deep into Wirt’s territory. Dixon completed a pass to No. 4 shortstop James, but as James dove towards the goal line, Clayton Mills took a hit and deflected the ball, which Smith retrieved and gave it back to the Tigers. Ta.
Brodie Ewing, who led all ball carriers with 142 yards on 29 carries, kept the drive alive with runs of 18 and 11 yards in the third. Another 27-yard run by Ewing and a personal foul on a late hit got the ball to the Doddridge 18. Ewing’s fourth straight run found Wert in the end zone with 9:41 left in the game and Toler scored two points. A run cut made it 14-8.
Dodorridge drove to Wirt’s 30 on the ensuing possession, but Dixon hit a deep shot that was intercepted by Isaiah Sampson, giving Wirt the ball down six points.
However, the Tigers set up trick plays in the third and fourth innings from their own 11, throwing to Ewing who was trying to pass. Goodwin tipped a deep ball from Ewing, picked up his third of the day, and the Bulldogs pushed the ball home on Brandon Davis’ 11-yard touchdown run to make it 21-8 with 3:47 left. did.
“I was so proud of the kids’ fight and how they didn’t give up, they didn’t give up, they just kept digging.” Hickman said. “Seven minutes left, a 14-8 ball game, we had the ball, but once we got to that point, we just couldn’t make the next play to get over the hump. And credit (Doddridge). They are obviously a very good football team and made some plays when they needed to.”
On the Tigers’ next possession, Smith was strip-sacked and Lyric Blake, who led Dodorridge with 58 yards on 16 carries, scored a 2-yard touchdown with 1:15 left to cap off the scoring.
“When we drew with Wirt County, we knew they were a very good team.” Burnside said. “After the game, I thought they were a very good team. It was a real battle. It took all four quarters. Hats off to Wirt County. Probably one of the toughest games in the first round of Single-A. I knew it would be.”
Christian Eidele, Samuel James and Jacob Britton helped fuel Dodorridge County’s relentless pass rush and keep the Tigers out of the game.
“They played like a spread, but we went after them and got a couple sacks, and I think that’s what pushed them into those heavy sets.” Burnside said. They were in that game for most of the game. They ran with a little success. There were several choices, and the combination of the two led to the game style you see. ”
Dixon said Burnside. “He made some important, timely passes.” He finished 8-of-18 for 102 yards. He connected with Thomas five times for 72 yards. Brycen Eidel gained 50 yards on 11 carries and Taryn Snyder added 34 yards on just five attempts.
The Bulldogs now have their eyes on the Dragons.
“I know they’re 10-1. I know they’re undefeated in West Virginia.” Burnside said. “Their only loss is against a very good Ohio State team (Edison). We know this is probably one of Cameron’s best teams and also a knockdown, drag-out battle. I think we need to prepare for it.”
Smith went 10-for-16 for 75 yards and was picked three times by the Tigers. He was fired four times. Porter Goodwin had six receptions for 53 yards, giving him 1,000 yards on the season.
Hickman attributed Saturday’s game to the difference in regular season schedules between Wert and Dodorridge.
“With their schedule, they play tough, thorough games.” Hickman said. “Our schedule this year was against two really, really good teams and a Sherman team that we had to fight tooth and nail. We just lost that game. Everyone else got blown out. Our kids aren’t used to that kind of battle. Their kids are kind of challenged. I thought that made a big difference in the fourth quarter.”
Still, Hickman was pleased with the team’s effort and what they were able to accomplish this season.
“We built on our 6-4 record from the previous year and improved to 7-3.” he said. “We had a real chance to make it 8-2. If we were able to beat Sherman, we’d be playing another team and hosting a game. That makes a big difference. That’s football, dude, because every game is so important. Losing one means you’re playing against a team like Doddridge. But our kids have fought hard all year. This is a good group to coach. Group. I will definitely miss my seniors.”
Contact Jordan Holland at jholland@newsandsentinel.com.
