Bulldogs Stumble Against Tough Oneida Indians

By Terry Futrell

It was a given that the Region 2AA opener with the Oneida Indians would test the mettle of the Wartburg Central Bulldogs. But, no one could have predicted just how harsh that test would be or that the Bulldogs would go down in defeat 42-7 before a packed stadium.

Playing without their leading wide receiver, Colby Justes, who suffered an injury against Harriman last week, and Tackle Jonathan Florian, who has a broken finger, the Bulldogs were challenged to put their best paw forward. Then, just minutes into the game, Quarterback Tyler Davis, also the Bulldogs leading rusher, left the field with an ankle injury. It seemed as if the Bulldogs were expected to take the test with a broken pencil lead and no pencil sharpener to be found.

Enter Jeremiah Davis – athlete. Davis normally plays receiver and safety. He is also listed as the backup quarterback, but according to Coach Kevin Human, “We just haven’t given Jeremiah enough reps”. Nonetheless, Davis took the helm of the Bulldogs and delivered a valiant performance against a very good Oneida defensive team, completing 12 of 21 passes for 78 yards and rushing seven times for 25 years. The Bulldogs had a total of 85 yards passing and gained 74 yards on the ground in 19 attempts.

Oneida took advantage of speed and defensive lapses by the Bulldogs, especially in the first half, and rushed for 330 yards in 36 attempts. Kolby Morgan rushed eight times for 170 yards and four touchdowns against the Bulldogs. Bryson Buttram added 110 yards on 14 carries for Oneida. The Indians completed only three passes, but gained 84 yards through the air. Kolby Morgan caught one pass for 39 yards and a touchdown, and Trace Sexton had one reception for 40 yards. Oneida intercepted two of Davis’ passes, but one of those resulted from a lucky bounce into the air as the Wartburg receiver and Oneida defender fought for the ball.

Wartburg was unable to sustain a drive on its first two possessions. Oneida could not move the ball on their first possession. On Wartburg’s second possession, Quarterback Tyler Davis left the game with an ankle injury and would not return.

On the first play from scrimmage on the Indians’ second possession, Kolby Morgan broke through the Wartburg defensive line and accelerated, going all the way for a 79-yard rushing touchdown to put Oneida ahead 6-0 late in the first quarter. The loss of Davis and Morgan’s touchdown appeared to have a demoralizing effect on the Bulldogs.

Wartburg was once again unable to move the chains and Oneida began their next drive on their own 42-yard line after a 38 yard punt by Chris Flowers. The drive was highlighted by a 40-yard completion from Elijah West to Trace Sexton and culminated in a 5-yard run by Kolby Morgan for the touchdown. After the extra point, Oneida led 14-0

Wartburg quickly answered with a 35-yard completion from Jeremiah Davis to Owen Vespie and moved the ball to the Oneida 34-yard line. The Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs, and Oneida quickly responded. On the second play, Kolby Morgan sprinted 57 yards for his third touchdown of the evening. Oneida led 21-0 with nine minutes to go in the second quarter.

The Bulldogs moved the ball to the Oneida 39-yard line, with Davis completing three passes for 23 yards, the longest being a 15-yarder to Chris Flowers. Wartburg was once again unable to sustain a drive and Oneida began their next drive at their own 22-yard line.

Kolby Morgan rushed for 16 yards to begin the Oneida drive. Bryson Buttram then rushed for four yards, followed by a scamper for 40 yards to the Wartburg 39-yard line. After a pass incompletion, Elijah West then connected with Kolby Morgan on a 39-yard touchdown pass. The Indians led 28-0 with 15 seconds remaining in the half.

Oneida was stymied by back-to-back penalties in their first drive of the second half and punted. Wartburg could not move the ball and gave it back to Oneida. The Indians stayed on the ground with Morgan and Buttram driving downfield, then scored on a 15-yard run by Morgan. The Indians led 35-0 with 2:46 to go in the third quarter.

Wartburg began to move the ball with an 8-yard run by Saylor Jones, followed by a 5-yard run by Jeremiah Davis. Oneida’s Jacob Warmoth then intercepted Davis’ pass and returned it 35 yards for another Oneida touchdown. The Indians led 42-0 with 1:39 to go in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs finally put together a scoring drive midway through the fourth quarter. Michael Davis rushed for 11 yards, then for two yards. Jeremiah Davis had a good run of 19 yards, followed by Ethan Stedam rushing for 18 yards, giving the Bulldogs first and goal on the Oneida 5-yard line. After two short runs, Ethan Stedam ran the ball in from one yard out for the Bulldog touchdown with 5:37 left in the game. Stedam then kicked the extra point – the first successful kicked extra point of the season for Wartburg.

The Indians headed back to Oneida with a 42-7 victory, leaving the battered Bulldogs to lick their wounds and prepare for Oakdale next Friday. With four injured players on the sideline, the Bulldogs are definitely not at full strength.

Wartburg Coach Kevin Human told his players afterward that “we had some stuff go wrong and it was hard to overcome it.” Human further promised his players that they “were going to have better practices this week” and that they were “going to take it a whole lot more seriously.”

As the old saying goes, the “proof will be in the pudding” at Hollis Eble field on Friday.

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