By Morgan Bryce
Editor
Beulah lost its third contest in its last four games in a row contest against at Saint James last Friday night, dropping a 42-14 contest to the Trojans.
Relying on its grinding but potent rushing attack, Saint James moved the ball effectively on its first drive, which was capped with a one-yard rushing touchdown to grab the early 7-0 lead.
After both teams bogged down on the next two drives, Beulah gave Saint James a taste of its own medicine, pounding the ball downfield on the Trojans before quarterback Kaleb Abney capped off the drive with a nine-yard TD pass to Dashawn Jones.
That would be Beulah’s last score for the next 29 minutes of the game.
Saint James grabbed several quick scores in the waning minutes of the first half to lead 28-7 at halftime.
Adding two more rushing scores in the second half, the Trojans built a comfortable lead and momentum that they would never relinquish.
Sophomore fullback Javontae Paige ended Beulah’s scoring drought with a 68-yard bust for a touchdown at the eightminute mark of the fourth quarter, which was the game’s final score.
Offensively, Beulah’s ever-consistent rushing attack was productive, generating 227 yards on 27 total carries. Chris Person was the Bobcats’ leading rusher with 100 yards on 16 carries, followed by Donquavious Moreland’s 95 yards on five carries and a touchdown.
Abney completed 7-of-14 passes for 86 yards and a TD, but threw two costly interceptions that cost momentum and scoring opportunities. Person finished as the leading receiver with 24 yards on one reception. Jones only had nine yards on one reception but it came on their first score of the game.
Defensively, Jaquavion Johnson led the way with eight tackles. Jones and Dylan Coleman contributed with seven tackles each while Andruw Coxwell notched three tackles.
Moreland was perfect on both of his extra-point tries while Austin Billingsley maintained a nearly 37 yards-per-punt average on three punts.
With the loss, the Bobcats fall to 3-4 overall, 1-4 in region play.
This week, they will host region foe Dadeville at Bobcat Stadium. The Tigers have struggled this season, winning only one game against Horseshoe Bend in their Aug. 22 season opener.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. C.S.T. Bobcat Stadium is located behind Beulah High School at 4848 County Road 270 in Valley.