Wartburg Bulldogs Blow Out Jellico 61-20

By Terry Futrell

The Wartburg Central Bulldogs put up some amazing numbers as they completely overpowered the Jellico Blue Devils 61-20 Friday night on the road. In a marathon game that lasted three hours, the Bulldogs racked up 484 yards of total offense, compared to only 226 yards for the Blue Devils. Eighty-nine yards of Jellico’s offense came on a single play.

The Bulldogs also racked up significant negative yardage as they were penalized 13 times for 145 yards. Though not too costly against Jellico, penalties are definitely a concern as Wartburg faces a tough regional matchup with Rockwood next week, with a potential playoff berth on the line.

After scoring only one touchdown in the first quarter to take an 8-0 lead, the Bulldogs had a big second quarter, scoring three touchdowns while giving up only one to the Blue Devils. The Bulldogs scored twice more in the third quarter, while limiting Jellico to one score. Even with the junior varsity offense playing most of the fourth quarter, Wartburg racked up three more scores, again limiting Jellico to one score.

While Wartburg never had to punt the entire game, the Bulldogs turned the ball over six times to Jellico – three times on lost fumbles and three times on failed fourth-down conversions. Jellico returned the favor with ten turnovers – one lost fumble, two interceptions, and seven failed fourth-down conversions.

Bulldog quarterback Tyler Davis had his best performance of the season, completing 18 of 25 passes for 336 yards. Caleb McCarty, Colby Justes, and Michael Davis were his favorite targets. McCarty had six receptions for 145 yards and one touchdown, Justes caught four passes for 130 yards and four touchdowns, and Davis caught four passes for 24 yards. Owen Vespie had one reception for 30 yards and a touchdown. Wartburg’s longest pass play was an 80-yard completion from Davis to Justes for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

For Jellico, quarterback Joseph Paul completed nine of 29 passes for 202 yards and two touchdowns. Jordan King had four receptions for 113 yards and one touchdown. Kade Evans added three receptions for 69 yards and one touchdown. Jellico’s best offensive highlight came on a pass from Paul over the middle to King that went for 89 yards and a Blue Devil touchdown in the third quarter.

Wartburg also regained some of the rushing swagger they had demonstrated early in the season, rushing 24 times for 138 yards. Michael Davis was the leading rusher with 11 carries for 61 yards. Ethan Stedam carried four times for 42 yards and one touchdown. Saylor Jones rushed two times for 17 yards and one touchdown.

Jellico’s Carter Bolton had a successful night rushing, carrying the ball eight times for 73 yards and one touchdown. Bolton’s performance was offset by negative yardage on tackles behind the line, resulting in a total gain of only 37 yards in 24 carries.

The Bulldogs were more successful stopping the run than in previous games, limiting the Blue Devils best rushing play to 15 yards. The Bulldogs tackled Jellico runners nine times for loss, including four sacks for -46 yards. Jeremiah Davis chalked up a pick-six when he snagged a tipped pass and took it to the house 23 yards for a Bulldog score in the third quarter.

While the win wasn’t as polished as Coach Kevin Human would have liked, the Bulldogs gained significant momentum going into their regional contest with Rockwood next week. Neither team has won a game against a 2A Region 2 opponent this season, and the loser next week has little hope of making the playoffs.

Thanks to Austin “Spanky” Swint for game stats.

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