MS ‘Canes Fall to Morgan County
The Monticello Middle School Hurricane football team fell to the Morgan County Bulldogs last Wednesday, 32-18, leaving the Canes with a record of 1 – 1.
The Hurricanes began the game on defense and held the Bulldogs to a 3 and out series, forcing a punt.
Ashton Bonner received the punt, having to catch the short punt at a full run at mid field and carried it down to the Bulldogs 20 yard line. The Hurricane offense proceeded to push the ball inside the 5-yard line in an eight play drive highlighted by a 12-yard pass from quarterback Braden Lynch to Jeff Cain. The drive, however, ended with no points as the Hurricanes fumbled near the goal line and gave the Bulldogs the ball.
On the third play following the fumble, the Bulldogs put the first points on the board with a 78 yard touchdown run.
After receiving the ensuing kickoff, the Hurricanes mounted another drive that took them inside the Bulldogs 5-yard line. Passes of 36 and 7 yards from Lynch to Ashton Bonner and a 16 yard pass from Lynch to De’Ivion Lawrence placed the ball at the 4- yard line before Lynch threw his first interception of the season and ended the drive.
The Bulldogs, on their third possession of the game, went on to increase their lead to 13 after a 6 play drive, capped off by a 28 yard touchdown run.
The Hurricanes finally put points on the board on their third possession of the game. With completions of 14 yards to Bonner and 11 yards to Tyrin Lawrence from Lynch and a reverse in which T. Lawrence gained 11 yards, Ashton Bonner capped off the scoring drive with a 20 yard touchdown run to bring the score to, 13-6.
The first half ended with three very quick scores, two by Morgan County and one by Monticello.
After Bonner’s touchdown run, the Bulldogs returned the kickoff for a touchdown.
Monticello received the kickoff with Jay Driskell returning the kick 27 yards. Two plays later, Lynch connected with Bonner for a 63 yard touchdown pass.
After the next kickoff, Morgan County scored on the first play from scrimmage with a 53 yard touchdown run. The half ended with Monticello trailing, 25-12.
The second half began very differently than the first half ended with both teams mounting multi-play drives. Monticello began the half with a 10 play drive highlighted by a 27 yard completion from Lynch to Malik Crawford and passes of 8 yards and 15 yards to D. Lawrence. The Hurricane drive stalled however, and they turned the ball over to the Bulldogs on downs. The Bulldogs then began a 9 play drive that resulted in a 1 yard touchdown run.
The Hurricanes were not finished and began another long drive of 11 plays. Crawford led the charge with runs of 11 and 9 yards and Lynch connected with Bailey Cook on a 12 yard pass. The drive resulted in a touchdown with one yard run on a handoff from quarterback D. Lawrence to Lynch who was lined up at fullback. The game ended with the final score of Hurricanes 18, Bulldogs 32.
The Middle School Hurricanes were to play Putnam County yesterday, Sept. 18, and will be traveling to Loganville Middle School next Wednesday, Sept. 25.
Offensive Stats
•Malik Crawford – 3 carries for 21 yards; 3 receptions for 32 yards
•Braden Lynch – 3 carries for 4 yards and 1 TD; 14/26 passing for 225 yards, 1TD and 1 Int.
•Ashton Bonner – 5 receptions for 119 yards and 1 TD; 1 carry for 20 yards and 1 TD
•Tyrin Lawrence – 1 receptions for 11 yards; 2 carries for 15 yards
•De’Ivion Lawrence – 3 receptions for 39 yards
•Jeff Cain – 1 reception for 12 yards
•Bailey Cook – 1 reception for 12 yards
Defensive Stats
Malik Crawford – interception