MORGAN COUNTY
Savannah Christian was too much for Morgan County last Friday night, defeating the Bulldogs, 33-10.
The two teams traded blows throughout the opening two quarters, with the Raiders leading 17-10 at the half. However, the Bulldogs ran out of gas and Savannah Christian took over in the fourth quarter.
Morgan County trailed 19-10 entering the final period and was still fighting hard, but a 45-yard punt return for a touchdown by Kenry Wall extended the Raiders' lead and put the game out of reach.
Savannah Christian also made defensive adjustments at halftime. In the second half, the Bulldogs were held scoreless. The Raiders defense – which is full of Division I prospects – held them in check.
In the first quarter, Savannah Christian took the lead as Zo Smalls scored a touchdown on the offense’s second drive. The 5-foot-9. 190-pound junior running back punched it in from a yard out.
Morgan County cut into the lead a few minutes later as its placekicker nailed a 27-yard field goal, making the score 7-3. Either way, in the second quarter, Smalls would find the end zone again.
Trailing 14-3, the Bulldogs didn’t back down. Their offense put together a long scoring drive, which was capped off by senior running back Jay Dorsey rushing for a 14-yard touchdown with 2:12 left.
Savannah Christian answered with a 33-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the first half, though. The Raiders went into the locker room holding a 17-10 lead over Morgan County at the half.
In the third quarter, the Bulldogs had a botched snap go over the head of their punter and the ball rolled out of the end zone, giving Savannah Christian a safety. The Raiders then led 19-10 at that point.
Wall’s 45-yard punt return for a touchdown came at the start of the fourth quarter with just under 11 minutes left, and while Morgan County didn’t give up, the Bulldog offense couldn’t find any spark. Smalls provided the final blow with under three minutes remaining with a 33-yard scoring run.
Savannah Christian’s defensive front – with the nation’s No. 1 rated prospect in Elijah Griffin – limited Dorsey to just 30 yards on 15 carries. The Raiders also had LaDomian Guyton, Jaden Miles, David Bucey, and Reid Penrose, among others, help stop the Bulldogs’ rushing attack.
Morgan County was also playing without senior quarterback Talan Fuller, who suffered a concussion in the first-round win. So, the Bulldogs went with sophomore Davis Strickland under center.
Strickland had his moments but faced pressure all night long from Savannah Christian’s talented pass rush. The Bulldogs’ signal-caller completed 10 of 21 pass attempts for 102 yards and a pick.
On the flip side, Morgan County’s defense couldn’t find an answer to Savannah Christian’s rushing attack. The Raiders rushed for a total of 329 yards against the Bulldogs in the win last Friday.
Wall led Savannah Christian with 152 yards on 16 carries. Smalls shined as well by totaling 100 yards on 19 attempts with three touchdowns. Senior Jamari McIvory added 70 yards on six carries.
Morgan County’s season came to an end with a 10-2 overall record and a 5-0 mark in region play. The Bulldogs won their first region title since 2017 and a playoff game for the first time in 11 years.