MHS 34, SHS 14

SNEADS—A dominant rushing attack and solid defense paved the way for the Marianna Bulldogs to take a 34-14 win over Sneads Friday night.

Fidel Montgomery rushed for 108 yards and a touchdown — all in the first half. Tre Jackson added 144 yards and two TDs on eight carries.

Chris Bowers also rushed for 72 yards and two touchdowns for the Bulldogs.

Jackson’s 52-yard TD run on Marianna’s first play of the second half helped the Bulldogs extend to a 28-7 lead and put the game away.

It was the season finale for the Bulldogs, who finished the season at 5-5.

Marianna coach Steve DeWitt said he was proud of his team’s effort on the road, just two days after being eliminated from playoff contention in Wednesday’s three-way shootout in Chipley.

“That’s a nice win to end the year,” the coach said. “We played well and Sneads played well. It was a good game to watch and a good way for us to finish the season.”

The Bulldogs’ offense did all its work on the ground, gaining 439 yards on 40 rushes.

Montgomery set the tone early for the Bulldogs, gashing the Sneads defense for big chunks of yardage.

It was a game effort by Montgomery, who has battled through injury the last two weeks and didn’t start in Wednesday’s shootout.

“Fidel is one of the toughest kids I’ve ever seen,” DeWitt said. “He just wants to be in there on every play and try to make something happen. He played a great game tonight.”

The senior quarterback got things started for the Bulldogs on their first possession of the game, rushing for 25 yards on a keeper to set up a 30-yard TD rush two plays later with 10:01 on the clock.

The Pirates answered later in the quarter on a 37-yard TD run by Terrance Green on an option keeper, to make it 7-7 with 1:23 left in the period.

But the Bulldogs marched right back down the field with an 11-play, 65-yard touchdown drive on their ensuing possession.

Bowers found the endzone from 8 yards out to make it a 14-7 Marianna lead.

The sophomore fullback scored again from 14 yards out on Marianna’s next possession to put the Bulldogs up 20-7 at the half.

Sneads went three-and-out on its first possession of the second half, and the Bulldogs took advantage with Jackson’s run to make it a three-possession game.

Fate appeared to be on the Bulldogs’ side on their next possession. A fumble by Marjean Dean bounced 10 yards ahead of him right into the arms of Jackson, who raced 68 yards to the endzone for another score.

Sneads rounded out the scoring with a 12-play 65-yard scoring drive, capped by a 30-yard TD pass from Mark Lawson to Anthony Dawkins on 4th-and-9.

Lawson finished with 88 yards on 16 carries for the Pirates, but the Bulldogs’ defense kept the Sneads star largely in check.

“We had to contain Lawson because he’s such a dangerous kid,” DeWitt said. “If you can keep him under control somewhat, that makes it pretty hard for them to score a lot of points.”

For Sneads coach Don Dowling, it was the Pirates’ inability to contain the speed of the Bulldog backs that did his team in.

“We got out of position a few times and they broke some big ones on us,” the coach said. “You just have to take your hat off to Marianna. They did what they’re supposed to do.”

Jeff Davis finished with 63 rushing yards on 12 carries, while Terrance Green added 74 yards on 11 carries.

The Pirates, now 5-5, will play a bowl game Thursday in Branford against Branford High School.

The Bulldogs finish the season at 5-5.