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Photo Credit: Clint Dye/Clinton County Leader

In a game that featured their swarming defense, and an opportunistic offense, the Mid-Buchanan Dragons defeated the South Harrison Bulldogs 35-8, to advance to the State semi-finals.

The Dragons forced the Bulldogs into a turnover on downs, on their first possession. The Dragons then, quickly moved down field a scored on a 40-yard quarterback draw by Jayvon Noyes. Noyes gave the credit to the team for the score, “The coach called the play and my O-Line did such a good job blocking, there was no way that I couldn’t score.”

Leyton Starks, converted the kick and the Dragons were up 7-0.

The second quarter is where the Dragons put the game away. This was started by a long run by Braydon Burleson. Burleson refused to be brought down, breaking many tackles along the way, inspiring all of his teammates. Soon after TJ Runyan took an inside handoff and rambled 27 yards up the middle for a score. Starks kick made it 14-0.

The Dragons were not done scoring in the half. Noyes connected on long pass to Drew Russell, that put the ball near the goal line. Two plays later Noyes, scored on a quarterback sneak. Starks kick was no good, and the teams went to half, with Dragons ahead 20-0.

Noyes picked up right where he left off scoring on a 4 yard run, and then getting the ball to Christian Scaggs for the two point conversion.

The Dragons forced a punt on the next possession however the snap went over the punters head, giving the Dragons a short field. Kaden Anderson scored on a 3-yard run, and Starks conversion made the score 35-0.

The Bulldogs tried to make it a game as quarterback Austin Lasher scored on an 8-yard keeper. Lasher also hooked up with Braydon Sunderman for the two-point pass, for the final points of the game.

Dragons head coach, Aaron Fritz, described his defense after the game, “We have been pretty solid all year, we don’t have a lot of guys that stand out as individuals, because when you look at it there are eleven green jerseys around the ball. There had better be, if not they get to come stand on the sideline by me. We preach getting to the football, pursuit drills are a huge thing we do.”

The Bulldogs finish their season with a record of 11-2. The Dragons will face Valle Catholic next week with the winner playing in the championship game.