By Albert Trevino
The Corrigan-Camden Bulldogs started the 2024 season with a close 27-24 win at home versus the Tarkington Longhorns Friday.
Although it seemed that Tarkington had the early momentum, the young and talented Bulldogs took control in the second half on both sides of the ball when it mattered.
“We knew Tarkington could throw and catch well. We had a lot of self-inflicted wounds early, but we are still a young football team,” said Bulldog head coach Brett Ratliff. “We later made some great adjustments with pacing and tempo. We always celebrate a victory.”
Ratliff also contributes the team’s new strength and training as part of the edge late in Friday’s game.
“That was on display when we needed it to be and I am going to lean on that,” Ratliff said. “These boys put in a lot of work over the summer. At the end of the day, the unity and conditioning really helped us when it mattered.”
On the first drive, Bulldog sophomore running back Damere Arneson pierced up the middle for a huge gain into Longhorn territory. However, the Corrigan offense would later stall and fumble the ball short of the red zone, picked up by Longhorn junior Colton Heard.
An underneath handoff to Tarkington senior running back Michael Galvin created a huge gain for the Longhorn offense, which set them up deep in the territory.
Galvin took another carry nearly all the way to the goal line to set up a short touchdown run on third-and-goal for the early 7-0 advantage.
After a better kickoff return for the Bulldogs, Arneson turned on the jets to sprint past the Longhorn defense for a 63-yard touchdown run. Corrigan would miss the extra kick to make it a 7-6 game.
On the next drive, Tarkington senior quarterback Trace Edwards threw a deep bomb to junior running back Collin Pearson to put them within scoring range.
On 4th-and-goal from the one-yard line, Longhorn senior fullback Brenton Whitley would power through the final yard for another touchdown. This extended Tarkington’s lead 14-6 early in the second quarter.
Bulldog sophomore running back Derrick Reagie was effective on the next drive, changing directions on a run to get a huge gain deep into Longhorn territory.
However, Corrigan senior quarterback Michael Sullivan would underthrow the pass near the end zone that was intercepted by Tarkington senior defensive back Landon Leblanc.
Arenson would later help Corrigan respond late in half on a short touchdown run, with the successful two-point pass attempt to junior tight end Ismael Santoyo.
That tied the game for a short time before Longhorn senior receiver Jackson Stovall caught a deep contested pass, followed by another in the closing minute of the half.
Stovall capped it off with a tough catch by the goal line at the buzzer for another score to quickly regain the lead 21-14 at halftime.
On Tarkingston’s first drive of the third quarter, Corrigan’s defense did not give up much inside their own territory.
It resulted in a long field goal by Longhorn senior kicker Brett Leoneardt to extend their lead by three points.
A facemask penalty on Sullivan’s keeper set up first-and-goal for Corrigan on the following drive. Shortly after, Sullivan would take another run for the final short yard into the end zone, which cut it to a 24-20 deficit.
The ‘Dog defense kept it close late in the third with a crucial fourth-down stop, as Tarkington was threatening to score.
Sullivan and Bulldog junior running back Mason Murphy both capitalized with big gains on the ground to put Corrigan inside Longhorn territory.
Arneson immediately finished it off with a 33-yard touchdown run. Along with a successful extra kick by Santoyo, the Bulldogs took the 27-24 advantage.
Special teams play for Corrigan-Camden netted an additional possession, as the following kickoff return was stripped and recovered. Yet, the Tarkington defense held strong to force a stop.
Sullivan then stepped up for the Corrigan defense, tracking down a long pass for an interception late.
In the closing minutes, the Bulldogs were effective running down the clock with multiple rushers converting first downs. Reaching the 10-yard line inside the final minute, the Bulldogs ended the night in victory formation for the narrow win.
The Bulldogs will play their next non-district match on the road Friday night at 7:30 p.m. against the Hardin Hornets.
Comment
Comments