Staff Reports

VIENNA- The Dooly County Bobcats came within a yard of starting the season with a 2-0 record when they hosted Fitzgerald High School on Friday night. The Bobcats trailed 27-14 in the fourth quarter but made a late comeback attempt in the game before ultimately falling just short by a final score of 27-26.

Fitzgerald led 27-14 at halftime, but the Bobcat defense settled in and gave up no points in the second half, allowing their offense to bring the score closer in the third quarter. Dooly quarterback, Bo Lawson, scored one of his three rushing touchdowns on the night early in the quarter on a long run. The touchdown was the only score of the third quarter, and Fitzgerald led 27-20 going into the fourth.

Fitzgerald had possession late in the fourth quarter backed up in their own territory trying to run out the clock, but they were held to a fourth down punting situation. Dooly linebacker, Malik Burns, came through and blocked the punt attempt, which set the Bobcats up at the one-yard line, where Lawson quickly punched in his third rushing touchdown of the game. The touchdown made the score 27-26 in favor of Fitzgerald with two minutes left in the game. The Bobcats went for the win on the two-point conversion attempt but the Fitzgerald defense stopped the conversion just short of the end zone. The Purple Hurricanes were able to run out the clock from there to escape with a road victory in The Grove.

Lawson finished the game with 16 carries for 165 yards and the three touchdown runs. He completed nine out of 17 pass attempts for 124 yards and a touchdown pass to Malik McGhee, who had five carries on the night for 29 yards and two catches for 36 yards. Reggie Smith was another big part of the Dooly offense on the night with three catches for 31 yards, two rushes for 16 yards, and 37 kick return yards. Zeff Felton, Emaje Son, and Shamon Zanders all pitched in on offense as well with several catches between them.

Burns was credited with 18 total tackles in the game to go along with a forced fumble and the blocked punt. Javarese Black had 16 total tackles in the game, while Zepha Hill had 12 tackles and a sack. Jaboris Hicks helped out the cause with six total tackles, two forced fumbles and a pass deflection. Tremekis Miller finished the game with a sack, two tackles and a fumble recovery, while Son grabbed an interception for the Bobcat defense. Other big contributors on the defensive side of the ball for Dooly County were: Ra’quavius Billings with 12 total tackles, and Rashad Lucas with six tackles and two fumble recoveries.

Up next for the Dooly County Bobcats will be a trip to Homerville on Friday night to take on the defending single A state champs, Clinch County.