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photo by Steve VanGunda
Wilkinson County Wildcat Devin Fosselman tries to pull Natchez High’s Joel Davis out of bounds while making his way to the end zone during Friday night’s game. The Bulldogs won the game 35-14.
Natchez High wins 2008 Homecoming
Published Saturday, September 13, 2008
NATCHEZ — Natchez High’s homecoming win was not quite the spanking they would have liked against Wilkinson County on Friday, but the Bulldogs pulled out the 35-14 victory anyway.
Natchez (2-0) had problems stopping the Wildcats’ run game, allowing 244 yards and two scores on the ground.
“We were kind of sticking with what was working for us,” said Wilkinson County coach Elbert “Mo” Lyles. “We were going with leading and misdirection, and they were having a problem picking it up, so we took advantage of that.
But what the Bulldogs’ rushing defense lacked, their passing defense more than made up for with intercepted passes for touchdowns by sophomore linebacker Raymond Williams and senior defensive back Willie Newman.
“We continued to have problems like we have in the past with mistakes and turnovers and things of that nature,” Lyles said. “We’re still having little mistakes, and it’s costing us the opportunity to win.”
Had those two passes by sophomore Brian Montgomery not been picked off, the Wildcats would have been within 7 with half a quarter to go.
The Wilkinson County run game could have scored another touchdown, especially with sophomores Devin Fosselman and Brandon Harton carrying the ball.
Fosselman had 102 yards on 16 carries, and Harton had 104 on 20 touches.
“He’s got the ability,” Lyles said of Fosselman. “I figure if he gets more serious about it, as far as dedication and the work ethic are concerned, there’s no telling how good he could be. As far as his work ethic, he has a lot of room for improvement.”
The Bulldogs scored first on the 72-yard interception return by Newman with 1:12 left in the first quarter, and again on the first drive of the second quarter with his 1-yard carry.
But Fosselman answered with a 15-yard touchdown run just into the end zone toward the end of the half, sending the Bulldogs into the locker room with a bit of panic.
“They (Wilkinson County) did exactly what I thought they would do, and that’s what was disappointing because we didn’t execute the game plan like we were supposed to do,” said Natchez coach Lance Reed. “Up front, those guys were assigned to stop the run, so those guys are going to have to play assignment football.”
But perhaps the most upsetting part of the first half was the amount of turnovers. Aside from the interception for the score, Montgomery threw an interception on the first drive of the game after garnering three first-downs, and Joel Davis ran the ball 35 yards on a fake punt. But Newman fumbled the ball for Natchez on the next play.
The Wildcats also fumbled when the got the ball back, and Fosselman’s touchdown carry was nearly dropped.
The Wildcats (0-3) had 11 penalties for 67.5 yards, and Natchez had 10 for 76.5 yards. Seven of the Bulldogs’ flags came in the second half.
Reed attributed part of the lack of focus to homecoming week festivities amid other distractions.
“Effort-wise, we might have been lacking,” he said. “That was kind of a good testament of what a week off will do.”
The Bulldogs appeared to have scored on a 96-yard kickoff return by senior Wesley Pendleton to open the second half, but a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct brought the flags back.
So Joel Davis ran the ball 19 yards for a touchdown in the next Natchez drive.
Harton answered with a two-yard run for a Wilkinson County 6, but Rico Richardson had a 27-yard run to solidify the win. Williams made it official with his 48-yard pickoff.
The Bulldogs will pick up practice at 10 a.m. today because Reed was not happy with their performance.
“We’re heading into a tough stretch with Franklin County, Meridian and Oak Grove, so were going to have to get better,” he said. “We’re going to have to go back to the drawing board and evaluate this film, see where our errors were and get better and get ready for those big teams.”
Comments
Posted by TRON601 (anonymous) on September 13, 2008 at 5:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good win for the Bulldogs. This game was a testament that you have to pay attention to how it was played as opposed to looking in the paper at the score. Too many mistakes. As as Coach Reed said, we definitely have a lot of work to do going into the next three weeks. Coming from me and from what I know from experiences, I wouldn't say the next few weeks. I would say the rest of the season is a hard road to travel. Having that Gulfport week off didn't help because they are the perfect cross-district 5-A opponent to test ability against. On that note, our district isn't easy either. With teams like Jim Hill and Brandon who we beat last year, they want to win this year so they wont go away lightly. I engcourage everybody to pray for our boys and also follow up online in the Jackson papers for scores of other teams that we play. They have a great football forum on there.
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on September 13, 2008 at 7:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats to the Natchez Bulldogs and Coach Reed! You are shaping up to have a formidable season!
Posted by iconoclast (anonymous) on September 13, 2008 at 7:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Good job Bulldogs! Keep it going!
Posted by tyoung10 (anonymous) on September 13, 2008 at 8:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
You are right TRON601. With three teams in our district being ranked in the top 15 in the state, and a much improved Brandon team, we have a lot of work to do if we plan on making the playoffs this year. I feel like we have an offense that can score on anybody in the state, but our defense will have to improve a lot to be able to compete against these teams. We got a physical Franklin County team that's going to be licking their chops when they see that we gave up 244 yards rushing to Wilkinson County! We know that they are going to run it 40 times, we just got to stop it. A win next Friday can be that huge boost of confidence that we definitely need heading into district play. I feel like we can beat this team, but only if we play physical and smart DEFENSE!!!!
Posted by andy (anonymous) on September 13, 2008 at 12:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
the real story was the fight that coaches, security and police could not stop it was something like 40 kids fighting and the police could not handle it police called for backup from the sheriffs office when police finally took 3 to jail, they were released at the city jail and back before the game was over whats next at NHS we have got to take control of the kids and help lawenforcement I was told that judge hudson said to turn the out this is the same group that was involved in the shooting of a man last week we need to demand from the judge and superintendant of education that they go to jail and not school or a school function
now natchez democrat write the true story you had people there that saw what went on
Posted by silly_willy_24_7 (anonymous) on September 13, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
no, no, NO! andy. that was not fights that broke out by the concession stand or in the bleachers. this was merely family and friends of the homecoming court that were overcome with emotion and pride. the police simply escorted them to a safer place so onlookers would not be caught in the excitement of the moment.
that sounds closer to the "official" truth than grudge fights, now doesn't it?
Posted by DSGB (anonymous) on September 13, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Congrats to the Bulldogs!!!! Now lets get our focus back and turn our attention to redeeming our defeat last year to Franklin County...My advice is to find an offensive rhythm and use ALL of your weapons and not try to get the ball only to a couple of players. You have an excellent quarterback, 3 outstanding running backs, and host of very skilled receivers. Throw the ball down the field mix the run and pass together and lets roll!!! For the defense the key will be forcing Franklin County to pass the ball and to have better execution stopping the running game. Keep up the good work young guys and continue to PLAY HARD!!! WE SUPPORT AND LOVE YA!!!!
Posted by linda (anonymous) on September 13, 2008 at 7:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Franklin County is coming to town. You are going to get hit and hit hard. Strap on your helment boys, cause you ant seen nothing like what coming your way Friday!!
Posted by Kong1218 (anonymous) on September 13, 2008 at 10:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree linda, d real dogs are coming 2 town to show those bullpups wat d business !!!
Posted by pbnj (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 8:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I hate to say this for those boys that practice so hard, but maybe all home games should be canceled or postponed until the school can get some issues under control. This behavior being overlooked is just an invitation for it to happen again and it puts other lives in danger. UNACCEPTABLE!
Posted by fccitizen (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 1:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Go Dawgs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by musicman02 (anonymous) on September 14, 2008 at 11:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Andy, please don't take away from our kids by stating that the only thing about the game was a fight. The team played an outstanding game and the fight itself was stopped by vigilant law enforcement officers.So the only thing I have to say is good job Bulldawgs and Get Franklin County.
Posted by TRON601 (anonymous) on September 16, 2008 at 6:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wilkinson County surprised me for an 0-3 coached by "Mo" Lyles. He has repeatedly bounced back and forth between Amite, Wilkinson, and Natchez every since the 1999 season when I remember him taking over Raines spot at Natchez. So he has definitely been around for a while and knows his opponent. Jokingly, I wonder if he will end up back at Natchez next?
As for Franklin County, I highly doubt they will be a factor this year. They've been winning some close games, but Natchez has been winning blow-outs. Keep that in mind people!! Franklin County fans, remember that you have to play up to 5-A ball when you come to town Friday. This year it's go be like Ohio State playing an SEC team for the Championship. They dont fare to well as we all know. LOL (Dont take that to heart, please!!) But all in all, its go be a good one. We are aware that you all have the big head from last year. Thats cool. We expect that. With a great season under your belts losing a har fought game at state, you all have something to prove. No, Natchez didn't make it that far, I am aware. I bring out the good with the bad here. But its go be an interesting one.
To tyoung10, thanks. Defense is what wins games. They proved that Friday. And for the first time in a while, Natchez appears to have a solid passing game. But as always, Natchez can't read misdirection plays well. Especially those that involve wing-backs. I wish Lyles and Cade did more of that when I was playing at Natchez instead of trying to run at teams with the power-I. The I is for a strong team with a physical front line. We see how that turned out between 1999 and 2001.
Everybody give a hats-off to O-lineman D-lineman Charell Carter for his outstanding performance at the Fayette game! He's go show-up again at Franklin County!! Keeping pushin lil' brother!!!
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