Since the Carmi-White County Bulldogs joined the Black Diamond Conference in 2003, they have lost to the Hamilton County Foxes just three times.
With just five minutes left to play in the 3rd quarter in Friday Night’s matchup between the two squads, it definitely felt like the Foxes were bound to pick up an impressive win over the maroon and white. Hamilton County led 29-16, and they were in the midst of scoring 22 points in just 8 minutes of game time. It seemed as if the Bulldogs were defeated, but if there’s one thing that we’ve learned from the last 28 years; never count out Kurt Simon’s squad.
Before we get to what happened next, let’s rewind to see how the Bulldogs got put in this position.
The ballgame started off with a CWC three-and-out. The Foxes then exploded for the first score of the game, an 85-yard touchdown run by Braxton Miller. Get used to hearing that name. Hamilton County led 7-0 just 3 minutes into the contest.
It took a whopping 10 seconds for the Bulldogs to answer, Noah Pollard returned the ensuing kickoff 85-yards to the house. Get used to hearing that name also. The Bulldogs had an 8-7 lead early in the 1st.
That would be the only points of the first half, until the final 90 seconds. Pollard broke away for a 40-yard touchdown run. Pollard then ran in the two-point play and the Bulldogs felt comfortable heading into the locker room with a 16-7 halftime advantage.
Then they kicked it to Braxton Miller. I think you know where this is going.
Miller returned the ensuing kickoff 76 yards to paydirt, and even though the Bulldogs still held the lead, momentum quickly shifted over to the home sideline. CWC led 16-15 at halftime.
It was quickly evident that Hamilton County was feeling that momentum. It only took the Foxes 54 seconds to take the lead as Miller took the handoff and went 58 yards to the house once again.
23-16 Hamilton County early in the 3rd quarter.
After a Bulldog three-and-out, the Foxes scored just 2 plays later. a 57-yard catch and run from quarterback Andrew Webb to Miller. With 8:49 to play in the 3rd, Hamilton County extended their lead to 29-16.
There was still plenty of time left, but it felt like the Bulldogs were beginning a must-score drive. A long run by Pollard set CWC up with a 1st down inside the Hamilton County 30-yard line. But a fumbled snap, a tackle for loss, two false starts, and a run for no gain, Carmi faced a 4th & 17. Kurt Simon had no choice but to give the ball to Pollard and hope for the best, and he was tackled well short of the line to gain.
So with five minutes left to play in the 3rd quarter, it felt like this one was slipping away from the Bulldogs.
But then all of the sudden, three big plays made by two sophomores sparked life in the maroon & white. Laedan Vargas and Javan Agan made tackles for loss on three straight plays to force a Hamilton County punt.
Cade Allen returned the punt to the Hamilton County 35 yard line. On the first play of the drive, the Foxes committed a facemask penalty, putting the ball at the Foxes 20.
4 plays later on 4th down and 5, Pollard took the handoff and powered his way all the way down to the 2 yard line. Setting up 1st & goal. Kade Stockton ran it in on the next play and the Bulldogs were right back in it. 29-24 with 1:23 to go in the 3rd.
The Foxes front line couldn’t handle the ensuing kickoff, and the Bulldogs were able to recover the live ball, giving the a new set of downs at the Hamilton County 45 yard line.
3 plays later, the Bulldogs regained the lead. Pollard scored his 3rd touchdown of the night, this time running it in from 22 yards out. CWC led 30-29 going into the 4th quarter.
The Foxes had the ball looking to take the lead right back, and they put themselves in scoring position with a long pass play from Webb to Miller, who took it all the way to the Carmi 15 yard line. However, a holding penalty erased the big play. The Foxes were forced to punt the ball away on that drive.
The Bulldogs took over with 10:55 left to play in the ballgame, as they entered chew clock mode. Carmi marched on an 11-play drive that took 5 minutes off the clock, capping it off with a 2-yard touchdown run by Pollard. Stockton ran in the two-point conversion to push the Bulldogs’ lead to two possessions. 38-29 CWC with 5:36 to go.
Hamilton County moved the football into CWC territory, but two major pass breakups by Cade Allen and freshman Dakota Brown ended the Foxes hopes of finding the endzone.
The Bulldogs took over on downs at their own 34 yard line, and three plays later Pollard broke away for a 62-yard touchdown run to put the finishing touches on a Bulldog comeback victory. CWC led 46-29 with just over 2 minutes to play.
Despite the deficit, the Foxes continued to push the ball down the field in hopes of a quick score.
After a big-time pass breakup on the previous possession, freshman Dakota Brown intercepted Webb’s pass, giving the ball back to the Bulldogs. The first of many interceptions that we’ll see in Brown’s career.
On the very next play, Kade Stockton took the handoff and was never tackled, running 75 yards to the endzone and putting a cherry on top of the Bulldogs’ win.
The Foxes ran out the clock on their final possession, and the visiting sideline erupted with excitement as the Bulldogs pulled off an unbelievable come-from-behind 52-29 victory.
“We just stuck with it, and kept believing in each other,” said CWC head coach Kurt Simon after the win. “All the credit in the world goes to the kids.”
The Bulldogs improve to 2-0 on the season. They will receive a forfeit win from Vienna-Goreville this Friday. They will be in action again on September 20th as they travel to Sesser-Valier.
Noah Pollard finished the night with 32 carries, 298 yards, 4 rushing touchdowns, and a kickoff return for a touchdown.
Kade Stockton carried the ball 12 times, for 127 yards, and 2 touchdowns.
Madden Anderson completed 2 of 5 passes for 23 yards.
Cade Allen caught one pass for 19 yards, and Javan Agen caught one pass for 4 yards.
Hamilton County’s big playmaker, Braxton Miller, carried the ball 9 times for 215 yards and 2 rushing touchdowns, he also caught 2 passes for 68 yards and a touchdown, and returned a kick 76 yards for a touchdown.
TACKLES
Kade Stockton – 7 total, 5 solo, 2 assisted, 2 TFL
Kale Wiggins – 7 total, 5 solo, 2 assisted, 1 TFL
Noah Pollard – 5 total, 4 solo, 1 assisted
Stone McGhee – 5 total, 3 solo, 2 assisted
Laeden Vargas – 4 total, 4 solo, 1 TFL
Josyah Perez – 3 total, 2 solo, 1 assisted, 1 TFL
Michael Miller – 2 total, 2 solo, 2 TFL
Javan Agan – 2 total, 2 solo
Easton Sullivan – 2 total, 2 solo
Eli Bryant – 2 total, 1 solo, 1 TFL
Jazz Duckworth – 1 total, 1 solo
Dakota Brown – 1 total, 1 solo
