Dogs win 48-34

Bulldogs tame Tigers to win homecoming and keep Cedar County Bowl

by Coach Kelley Beckner

Well, I guess the only place to start this week is by saying, ‘How bout them dogs?!?’

What a great overall experience for our kids and community last Friday. Between preparing for the game and Homecoming, it was just an overall great day for ElDo. And to top it off with those pesky tigers going down, made it even better.

TACKLE REJECTED – Haiden Overton #24, ran through a Stockton Tiger tackle attempt on his way to the goal line.

JET SWEEP – Hayden Overton #24 helps set the edge for Preston Robison #1 on a jet sweep.

HAYES ON THE RECEPTION – Derek Hayes receives a pass down near the goal line that sets up a Bulldog score two plays later.

 ELUSIVE RUNNER – Gaven Morgan #18 taking a sweep on the edge making defenders miss.

As a football coach, Homecoming is one of my least favorite weeks to coach in. Mainly because as season progresses we become creatures of habit, same routine just different week. Adding in the Cedar County Bowl with Homecoming, just adds more distractions for the team. I thought the boys handled the added distractions well throughout the week and did well in the parade Friday afternoon.

As for the game, you have to give Stockton and their coaches credit for coming in and playing hard. With any rivalry you cannot take previous records into account. Add Homecoming and it equalizes the playing field, a lot.  However, our boys played hard and never let up with their effort. We still had too many penalties, which drives this coach crazy, but we will get there.

On offense we had nearly 600 yards of total offense. Clayton Collins went 17/23 262yds 4TDs, and rushed for another 79yds and 1 TD. The receiving corp did an excellent job running their routes and Clayton did a much better job reading the defense. We had 3 WR with over 60yds. Derek Hayes had 4 rec 73yds; Brayden Housh (who has become a reliable, solid asset to the offense) 4 rec for 83yds 1TD; Gaven Morgan had 5 rec 61yds 1TD, and added 6 rushes for 43 yds. As effective as our passing game was, our run game is where my focus was this week and the boys up front performed. As a team we rushed for over 300yds. Haiden Overton lead the way with 16 rushes for 160 yards and 2 TDs (he also had 1 rec for 37yds and 1TD). Overall a great performance on that side of the ball. I really felt on the sideline no matter what the score was, when we had the ball, we were going to score. Which is a testament to these young men and their effort in getting better and learning what we are trying to do on offense.  On the defensive side of the ball, Stockton ran variations of the triple option. An old school type offense that forces defenses to play sound assignment football. At times we did that, however, I was displeased with our effort in tackling. That is something we are definitely going to be working at to get better this week. Gaven Morgan, was again a beast on the edge at OLB, our linebackers (Payton Green and Dalton Adams) did a great job filling downhill and our DBs did a good job limiting big plays through the air. It was just a great team effort in a big game for our school and community.

As much fun as the victory was on Friday, I told the team after the game, we have bigger games yet to be played. We will never take a win for granted but our goals do not end with this victory. It is just another step towards the big picture for the year.

This Friday, we are again at home vs a good opponent in Warsaw. They do some things within the game that could give us fits if we do not perform. I encourage everyone to continue to come out to the ‘DogPound,’ cheer and be loud and show what home field advantage is all about. It is going to be our Breast Cancer Awareness Game so please wear your pink as it will be a pink out!