The Spur Bulldogs traveled Friday night to Vernon Northside, where they wrecked the Indians’ homecoming 60– 12 by halftime.
It was a one-sided effort that was never really in doubt. The Bulldogs were faster and more physical from start to finish. Spur had 10 possessions on the night. On eight of those, they scored in two plays or less.
With Gunnir Bateman still on the sidelines and Le’Zhane Walker out for personal reasons, Spur turned to sophomore running back Cory Hamilton, who carried the ball 11 times for 335 yards and seven touchdowns. He also passed for 62 more yards, including a 50-yard touchdown pass to Ian Tagle. Hamilton also led the team with seven tackles.
It was not the homecoming Vernon had hoped for. Yet despite the victory, the Bulldogs now realize they have two weeks until they face the eighth-ranked, 4–2, districtleading Knox City Greyhounds.
Knox City’s two losses this year came from Motley County (68–67) and May (60–56). The Greyhounds bested Crowell this past Friday night 55–8 to claim the top spot in the district. Looking to Knox City after the game Coach Tate Clark said, “They’re gonna spread you out and so our coverage needs to get better.” He also noted the need for more discipline in their spread rush.
Clark recognized, however, that where the Bulldogs excel is in their grit. “We’re a thick team and we play hard. We’re big and we’re physical.” Certainly those aspects are something to build on as the Bulldogs prepare.
Anyone watching this year’s Bulldog team play can clearly see that the raw talent is there, as are the drive and willingness to play physical football. Over these next two weeks they’ll be looking to clean up some of their assignment issues and plan to take the fight to Knox City. No doubt the Greyhounds will plan on spreading Spur out in hopes of creating mismatches with their speed, but as Mike Tyson once said, “Everyone has a plan until they get hit in the mouth.”
This may be the Bulldogs’ best shot at dropping Knox City.
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