The Bulldog Football Report

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The Bulldog Football Report
Volume 1, Issue 6
October 7, 2015

In this edition of The Bulldog Football Report we will:

  • Break down the Harrells game with Coach Stephen Cochran and look ahead to the upcoming home game against Ravenscroft.
  • Take a look at how other Big East Conference teams fared last week and preview this week’s schedule.

Harrells Game Review

Due to a change in scheduling caused by historic inclement weather throughout the state, the Bulldogs traveled to Harrells last Thursday night for a 7:00PM kickoff with the Crusaders. While the Crusaders have an edge in the all-time series, it is one that has become very competitive in recent years, with the Bulldogs taking a win at WCA last year and the Crusaders looking to avenge that loss.

Harrells were out of the gate fast with a Ty Scarborough TD run to take a 7-0 lead. The Bulldogs answered through the air with Nathaniel Williams hooking up with John Kirkpatrick and Matthew Buffaloe tacking on the PAT to make it a 7-7 game.

Coach Cochran spoke before the game of the offensive threat the Crusaders Marcus Scarborough presented and he showed why there was reason for concern, connecting with Christ School transfer Marcellos Allison on a 77-yard TD pass to give Harrells a 14-7 lead late in the first quarter. Scarborough also scored on a run midway through the second quarter and after the PAT was blocked, the Bulldogs found themselves in a 20-7 hole.

Nathaniel Williams found brother Greyson on a 28-yard pitch and catch just before halftime and another Matthew Buffaloe PAT closed the gap for the Bulldogs. What was significant about that scoring drive is that it was set up by a Bulldog D forced turnover and Camden Woods fumble recovery. The teams went to the half time break with Harrells up 20-14.

The brothers Scarborough put points on the board for the Crusaders early in the third quarter, with a TD run by Marcus complemented by a 2-point conversion by Ty, to make the score 28-14. The third quarter would see a flurry of activity late. A Cody Carpenter TD run made the score 28-20 in favor of Harrells, after a failed 2-point attempt by WCA. The Bulldog D then forced the third Harrells turnover of the night to give the offense great field position, but the Harrells D responded with a great stand to take over on downs as the third quarter came to an end.

The teams traded possession throughout the fourth quarter until a TD run by Wallace-Rose Hill transfer Kevin Carney and Marcellos Allison 2-point conversion gave the Crusaders a 36-20 lead late in the game and that’s how it would end. Final score: Harrells 36 WCA 20.

The loss moves WCA to 5-2 on the season and 0-1 in the Big East Conference heading in to this week’s game against Ravenscroft. With the win Harrells moves to 3-4 overall and 1-0 in conference play ahead of their matchup at North Raleigh.

The Post-game with Coach Cochran

The Bulldog Football Report spoke to Coach Cochran after the Harrells game he offered the following analysis:

TBFR: Coach Cochran, give us your overall thoughts on the Harrells game.
CC: Their kids played as hard a game as they have played all season long. We were outplayed, outcoached, and they wanted it worse than we did and did a great job.

TBFR: As you prepare for Ravenscroft on Friday, what are some of the things the Bulldogs should continue to do?
CC: We need to continue to be physical on defense. Looking at the film there were some “highlight hits” and we need to keep up the intensity. We moved the ball well offensively against Harrells but missed a few red zone opportunities that hurt us. That said, we were, and continue to be, explosive and drive the ball down the field.

TBFR: Looking at things to avoid, are there things the Bulldogs simply can’t do and be successful Friday night?
CC: The Harrells game came down to a handful of plays on both sides of the ball and they took advantage of them and we didn’t. We have to come out and execute against Ravenscroft. We also need to avoid the flags that may not be drive killers, but definitely make the drive more difficult.

If you’re going to the game:
Kickoff Friday night is at 7:30PM.
Be sure to check the WCA Twitter page every Friday for the “Friday Twitter Roll” where TBFR will preview the week’s opponent.

Big East Conference Scores – October 2, 2015

Christ School 18 North Raleigh 8
Ravenscroft 31 Granville Central 21

Big East Conference Games – October 9, 2015

Harrells at North Raleigh
Ravenscroft at Wake Christian

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