Jr. Dawgs use quick strikes to stop Huntingdon

Sara Reid — Special to the Weakley County Pres


Jr. Dawgs use quick strikes to stop Huntingdon | Gleason Junior High Bulldogs, Will Clark, Chase Ezell, Gleason, Tennessee

A little help — Bulldog fullback Will Clark (center) provides a block for teammate Chase Ezell during Gleason's 38-14 win over the Huntingdon Mustangs last Thursday. Photo by Sara Reid
GLEASON, Tenn. — The Huntingdon Middle School Mustangs took a stab, but ultimately could do nothing to stop the Gleason Junior High season-long hot streak.
With a 38-14 win over the visiting Mustangs this past Thursday night, the Bulldogs now own a 6-0 record.
The Mustangs took first possession and gained just four yards resulting in a punt. Gleason took over on its own 30 and picked up three yards on first down from Will Clark. Ian Legens swept around the left side for 16 and Tanner Spencer found Reese Montgomery through the air for 18 yards.
From the Mustang 31, Cody Ezell and Clark gained three yards each, Ezell took a handoff 15 yards and Clark ran the final 10 yards to the end zone. Chris Copeland ran in the conversion and with 3:20 left in the first quarter, Gleason led 8-0.
The visitors held on to the ball for the remainder of the first quarter and scored on a 20-yard run to start the second frame. A successful conversion tied the score, 8-8.
Gleason came right back with an answer, however. Having a short field to work with, Copeland gained 14 yards on first down at the Mustang 44. Copeland followed with a four-yard carry and Legens finished off the drive with a 26-yard touchdown run. Copeland added the conversion and with 6:25 left in the first half, Gleason took a 16-8 lead.
The Mustangs turned the ball over on downs on their next possession and the Bulldogs needed just two plays before Legens took a handoff 63 yards downfield for another touchdown. Ezell ran in the conversion and Gleason jumped to a 24-8 lead with 1:09 left in the half.
The Mustangs quieted the crowd for just a second with an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, but the Dawgs again answered quickly when Tanner Trevathan found Montgomery for a 39-yard pass and six points. Copeland added the conversion and the Bulldogs led 32-14 at the break.
Keeping the visitors from reaching the end zone for the remainder of the contest, the Dawgs added another touchdown — a Trevathan 30-yard pass to Ethan Terrell — and cruised to a 38-14 win.
In the victory, Trevathan completed 5-of-6 passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns. Legens finished with 105 rushing yards and two touchdowns and Clark had 36 rushing yards and one score.
Gleason will next take its undefeated record to Dresden this Thursday night with kickoff at 6:30.