MMS moves to 7-0

The Marianna Middle School Bullpups completed their third undefeated regular season in four years Tuesday night with a 50-6 win over Florida High in Tallahassee.

The Bullpups dominated in their typical fashion, piling up 295 rushing yards and smothering its opponent’s offense, limiting Florida High to just 34 total yards.

MMS can finish off the undefeated season with a win over Jefferson County in the bowl game Sept. 29 in Monticello.

Bullpups coach Hunter Nolen said he was very happy with how his team played after an uneven performance in its 28-8 victory over Wakulla Oct. 15.

“We bounced back from that debacle last week,” the coach said. “On our first three possessions (Tuesday night), we drove it right down the field and scored. I think that set the tone for the game.”

Shaundre McAroy scored from 10 and 72 yards out on the Bullpups’ first two possessions.

A Jonathan Sikes pass to Derrick Knowles and a McAroy run provided the two-point conversions for a 16-0 lead.

Jock Wooden scored from 14 yards out early in the second quarter for a 22-0 edge. He then scored again from 26 yards out later in the period.

Knowles converted the two for a 30-0 lead, then Wooden scored his third touchdown from 19 yards out.

Sikes found Kyle Tanner for the conversion and a 38-0 advantage.

MMS led 38-6 at halftime and got TD runs of 38 and 55 yards from Knowles in the second half to round out the scoring.

It was a fitting end to a regular season, which saw the Bullpups consistently dominate their opponents en route to a perfect record.

“That’s something we wanted to do this season, to go undefeated and then play for the championship in the bowl game,” Nolen said. “We just can’t let up. We have a Homecoming parade on Friday, but next week we have to get back at it and try to go 8-0 this year.”

The Bullpups got 131 rushing yards and two TDs from Knowles Tuesday night. McAroy added 89 yards and two scores, and Wooden contributed 74 yards and three TDs.

The trio of McAroy, Wooden and Knowles have combined for 2,336 rushing yards and 35 TDs for the season.

No one has come closer than 16 points to the Bullpups this season, with Jefferson County falling 28-12 in the season-opener, and Roulhac falling 32-16 in the second game.

Since then, the Bullpups have registered wins by margins of 50, 52, 36, 20 and 44 points.

MMS has outscored its opponents this year 284-50.

“All year long we’ve continually gotten better each week,” Nolen said of his team. “That’s something I’m proud of as a coach and a coaching staff.

“From the first to the last game, we’ve gotten better at every single position and that’s great. We’re coming together as a team and you can tell. We’ve had a really good year.”