The Bulldog Football Report

once a bulldog

The Bulldog Football Report
Volume 1, Issue 7
October 21, 2015

In this edition of The Bulldog Football Report we will:

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

Ravenscroft Game Review

Prior to heading into the bye week, the Bulldogs welcomed Coach Ned Gonet’s Ravenscroft Ravens to Bulldog Field. The game could best be characterized as being played out in three distinct parts. While the Bulldogs enjoyed the upper hand in the second part of the game, the Ravens had command of the first and final parts of the game on the way to a Big East Conference victory.

The Ravens offense wasted no time getting into high gear. After an early score by Troy Jones and a Zach Murphy PAT, DJ Washington added a second score and intercepted a pass to put the Ravens in great field position up 14-0.

As we have seen throughout the season the WCA defense stepped it up, with Trevin Muse deflecting a pass that ended up in the hands of John Toler. The ensuing Bulldogs possession showed some promise with Adam Jones racing down the field for a 45-yard gain. Unfortunately the Ravens defense had other ideas, as Devon Perry picked off a WCA pass to return possession to the Ravens. The always-dangerous DJ Washington converted a long run into a TD to give the Ravens a 21-0 advantage.

Later in the half, Ravens QB Dylan Harris hooked up with Devon Perry on a long TD pass play to give the Ravens a comfortable 28-0 advantage.

Despite the slow start the Bulldogs offense showed a spark before the end of the first half as Cody Carpenter hooked up with John Kirkpatrick on a 62-yard TD pass. The Matthew Buffaloe PAT cut the Ravens lead to 28-7. The Ravens responded quickly, with QB Dylan Harris hitting Colby Muldrow with a 56-yard TD pass. Zach Murphy added a PAT and the teams went into the break with Ravenscroft enjoying a comfortable 35-7 advantage.

Never one to give up, the Bulldogs came out of the locker room fired up and seized control of the second part of the game. Nathaniel Williams connected with Connor Collins on a TD pass that brought the score to 35-14 in favor of the Ravens. A key part of the drive was the first of two unsportsmanlike conduct flags against the Ravens Devon Perry. Robert Roe helped the Bulldogs defense force a turnover with an athletic one-handed grab on an interception, giving the Bulldogs great field position made even better with the second unsportsmanlike conduct flag against Devon Perry. Cody Carpenter then hit Connor Collins in stride for his second TD reception of the night. After the missed PAT, the score stood at 35-20 in favor of the Ravens.

The Ravens offense responded efficiently to wrestle momentum away from the Bulldogs in the third part of the contest. A Donathan Muldrow TD run and Dylan Harris TD pass to Troy Jones put the Ravens back in control of the game at 49-20. Each team would add a score before the end of the game. Troy Jones rounded out an exceptional offensive performance for the Ravens with a punt return for a TD and Adam Jones found the end zone for the Bulldogs on a late TD run.

Final score: Ravenscroft 56 WCA 26.

The loss moves WCA to 5-3 on the season and 0-2 in the Big East Conference heading in to this week’s game against North Raleigh. With the win Ravenscroft moves to 6-3 overall and 2-0 in conference play ahead of their out of conference game against Raleigh Word of God.

The Post-game with Coach Cochran

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

TBFR: Coach Cochran, give us your overall thoughts on the Ravenscroft game.
CC: I thought they came out well prepared and aggressive out of the gate. They converted some third and longs and a fourth down on those early drives which helped their offense keep moving the ball. We struggled protecting against their blitz and by the time we figured it out they had a sizeable lead. I like the way we continued to compete. I love the way we came out in the second half. Much to their credit they withstood that attack, but I like the way we competed the entire game and how we played together as a team throughout the game.

TBFR: As you prepare for North Raleigh on Friday, what are some of the things the Bulldogs should continue to do?
CC: It is a rivalry game for us and an important game to help us with playoff seeding. I expect them to come out and play hard. It will be important for us to match their intensity out of the gate, because I am confident Coach Landis will have them ready to compete. I also expect them to get a boost from a nice homecoming crowd.

TBFR: Looking at things to avoid, are there things the Bulldogs simply can’t do and be successful Friday night?
CC: We have to control explosive plays on third and fourth downs. We have to win those battles. That is huge for us. We have been doing a good job controlling penalties and need to keep up that trend. Playing good defense is going to be essential for our success.

If you’re going to the game:

Kickoff Friday night is at 7:30PM. North Raleigh is located at 7300 Perry Creek Road. Take US 401 North to Capital Blvd. Follow Capital Blvd through Raleigh towards Wake Forest. Turn right on Perry Creek Road. Go past the WRAL Soccer Center on the left and the school will be on the left.

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 9, 2015

Harrells 40 NRCA 24

Big East Conference Scores – October 16, 2015

Ravenscroft 69 North Raleigh 37
Harrells 34 Raleigh Word of God 6

Big East Conference Games – October 23, 2015

Wake Christian at North Raleigh
Harrells at Trinity Christian
Raleigh Word of God at Ravenscroft

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