Bulldogs drop season opener, recover

The Marianna High School Bulldogs soccer team kicked off their season on the road last Thursday, as they traveled to Tallahassee to take on John Paul II. The Bulldogs fell 2-1 in their opener.
Saturday, the Bulldogs hosted Franklin County and posted an 8-0 shut out win.
Coach Garyn Waller, in his second year as head coach, went with returning senior goalie Nick Harris in the box. Harris did his “Spider-Man” goalie shirt and head gear proud as he recorded 11 saves, including a penalty kick. Sophomore Michael Mader started in the stopper position with senior Sammy Muniz at sweeper.
Mid-fielders were seniors Caleb Corbin and Thomas Parrish, junior Paul Gochenaur, and sophomore Seth Gilley. Forwards were senior Preston Skipper and junior Christian Vogel. Left defender was junior James Morrison with senior Curt Stephens at right defender.
John Paul II jumped out to a 1-0 lead on a rocket shot from the right side to the left corner of the goal 20 minutes into the game. That was the only score of the half.
In the second half, John Paul II scored on a straight-away shot to make it 2-0. Sammy Muniz put up the lone goal for the Bulldogs on a shot from midfield that went over the goalie’s head into the back of the net to make it a 2-1 game.
Saturday’s home match-up was a much brighter picture for the Bulldogs.
Within minutes of the opening kick, Preston Skipper found the back of the net for the Bulldogs to put them up 1-0, and the Dawgs never looked back.  Caleb Corbin picked up the first of his two goals of the afternoon to make it a 2-0 game. Mader made it three-zip with a straight shot into the goal from 40 yards out. Senior Alton Stone, sophomores Zac Davis and Jesse McGowan, along with junior Stevie Blanchette, rounded out the scoring in the 8-0 shut out.
The Bulldogs were scheduled to travel to Panama City to take on district rival Arnold High School Monday. Results of that game were not available at press time.