Turnovers and miscues end Bulldogs’ season

The ECI football team made the trip to McRae Saturday for a first-round state playoff game against Telfair Co. The number one seed from region four, Telfair Co. Trojans, ended the fourth seeded Bulldogs’ season with a heartbreaking 22-19 win to advance to the second round against the Bulldogs from Trion.

You could look at a few missed opportunities or miscues that would have tied or won the game for the Bulldogs. The big blow for the Bulldogs was the fumble on third and goal from the one-foot line after driving the ball from their own 20 late in the fourth quarter. “I’m so proud of the fight our kids played with Saturday night,” commented head football coach Chris Kearson. “It didn’t end up going our way in the end, but I love our kids, coaches, and community now more than ever. I would like to thank everyone that played a part in our season from the bottom of my heart.”

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Telfair took the game’s first lead on a 44-yard pass from Cook to Livingston. The two-point try was good to put the Trojans up 8-0. ECI got on the board late first quarter after a 70-yard drive. Tyler Foreman scored his first touchdown of the game from 16 yards out. Oisin Matthews kick was good with Telfair leading 8-7 entering the second quarter. The Cook to Livingston combo struck again for a 26-yard touchdown. The two-point try was good and the Trojans led 16-7. The Bulldogs scored their second touchdown of the game on a Jackson Kennedy to Chase Johnson 39-yard touchdown pass. Trailing 16-13 the Bulldogs two-point try was stopped and the half ended with Telfair leading 16-13. The Bulldogs took the opening kickoff of the second half and drove to the Trojan 23 set up by another Kennedy to Johnson pass for 36 yards. The drive stalled to set up a field goal try. The kick was wide left, and the score remained 16-13 Telfair. The Bulldogs took their first lead of the game with 6 minutes remaining in the third quarter. Kennedy hit a diving Daon Bethea in the endzone from 38 yards out for an ECI touchdown. The two-point try was stopped and the Bulldogs led 19-16.

The Trojans took back the lead with 8 minutes left in the game. The Bulldog defender missed time his leap for the pass knockdown and the Cook to Livingston pass resulted in an 87-yard touchdown as Telfair took back the lead 22-19. Looking to tie or take the lead the Bulldogs drove the ball down to the Trojan red zone. ECI failed to convert on a fourth and two at the Telfair 9 turning the ball over to the Trojans. Telfair gave the Bulldogs another chance to tie or take the lead taking over at their own 20-yard line. Kennedy hit Kanyon Thompson in the middle of the field for a 45 yard first down gain down to the Trojan 35. The Bulldogs found themselves second and goal inside the one a few plays later, looking to take the lead late in the fourth quarter. The second downplay was stopped setting up and third and goal from inside the one. The Bulldogs fumbled on the next play to give the ball back to Trojans. The Bulldogs had one more chance to get close for another field goal try or touchdown, but a couple penalties got them way behind the chains to end any threat. The Bulldogs rushed for 205 yards against the Trojans. Tyler Foreman led the way with 95 yards. Ab Marsh carried the ball 7 times for 60 yards and Chase Johnson toted it for 39 yards and a touchdown. Jackson Kennedy was 9-16 for 186 yards and two touchdowns. Chase Johnson caught 3 Kennedy passed for 85 yards with a touchdown. Daon Bethea caught 2 for 44 yards and a touchdown and Kanyon Thompson hauled in one for 45 yards. Telfair ran out the remaining few seconds to defeat the Bulldogs 22-19. Seven seniors strapped on the red E helmet for the last time for the Bulldogs Friday. Playing their last game as an ECI Bulldog were James Parker, MJ Williams, Brian Steele, Clayton Stripling, Oisin Matthews and Kanyon Thompson.

The Bulldogs will be back in the weight room during the offseason preparing for the 2025 season when they open up at home against Wilcox Co. in August.