The  Edgewood Bulldogs kept their playoff hopes alive by ripping the Rice Bulldogs 48-11. A long drive from I-35 for Rice proved to be longer after Edgewood recovered from a sloppy 2nd quarter to keep Rice winless on the season.  Edgewood celebrated Homecoming after two consecutive losses, one to district front runner Kerens, and to Mildred.  Although the Bulldogs will need some help their playoff chances remain positive.

Edgewood got on the board early when Levi Weaver capped an 8 play drive with an 8 yard scamper to the endzone. The Bulldogs chose to go for two after a Rice penalty moved the ball to the one yard line however, the Rice defense held.  Edgewood 6 Rice 0. After a three and out by Rice the Bulldogs put on another impressive drive on a sloppy field. Senior Running back Joseph Read reached paydirt from 2 yards out. The PAT after was good. Read’s touchdown run was set up by an outstanding reverse by Freshman Jacob Sharff.

In the second quarter Edgewood’s offense began to sputter and the Rice ground attack gained momentum. Quarterback Ethan Rutter has been without talented wide receiver Clay Haltom who is out for the season due to a knee injury. Rice scored with 6:50 left in the first half on a 1 yard run by Quarterback Kenneth Hart. The 2 point conversion was good and the lead was cut to a 14-8 deficit fpr Rice.

The Rice Defense recovered a Bulldog fumble just 14 seconds later to put the offense in great position . After two first downs Rice kicker Jody Bernal connected on a 37 yard field with 6:36 left in the half.  Once again the Edgewood offense sputtered and was forced to punt with 2:30 to in the second quarter. Momentum had shifted to the Rice Bulldogs and it looked as though they would go to halftime only trailing 13-11.

The most controversial call of the night came when the Rice coaches elected to try a fourth and eight on their own 20 yard line. The Bulldog defense held Rice to no gain and took over at the Rice 20 with 56 seconds to go. Like any good team would do, Edgewood capitalized on the Rice call and hit Weaver on a 19 yard screen pass down to the one yard line. Coach Ryan Simmons rewarded Weaver as he cashed it in from the one.  After the PAT the Bulldogs led Rice at the half 20-11.

It was the Darius Rogers show in the second half and the Edgewood defense took over to shut out Rice for the two remaining quarters. Rogers electrified the crowd with a 63 yard punt return at 9:33 in the 3rd quarter. Rogers tacked on another touchdown when he hooked with quarterback Rutter late in the third and the rout was on. Senior Gabriel Milton got in on the scoring action with a two yard run to finalize the scoring. Final score Edgewood 48 Rice 11. 

Article by Robert “Replay”  reynolds