BY CAITLYN GRIFFIN
FOR THE OBSERVER
SMITHS STATION — The Beulah Bobcats welcomed the Dadeville Tigers to town this past Friday for a matchup in region play under the Friday Night Lights. Despite Beulah’s efforts to protect its home turf, Dadeville was able to emerge with a 41-10 victory.
Dadeville’s biggest asset in the game was the rushing attack, led by the three-headed monster of Brandez Eason, Tajavion Burns, and Corde Jefferson. The trio combined for more than 300 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns and appeared to be unstoppable for most of the game.
As for Beulah, the Bobcats’ first points of the game came courtesy of kicker Reed Maloof on a 21-yard field goal late in the second quarter. The Bobcats would also score its lone touchdown in the game in the second quarter. Quarterback Wes Grant delivered a three-yard touchdown pass to receiver L.J. Fitzpatrick with twelve seconds left in the half to bring the Bobcats within ten, making the halftime score 20-10 in favor of Dadeville.
In the second half, though, Beulah would find no such success. The Bobcats’ first drive of the second half ended with an interception that was returned to their 47-yard line and would lead to a Dadeville touchdown drive. From then on, Beulah’s remaining drives would result in a punt, a fumble leading to a turnover on downs, a dropped interception resulting in a turnover on downs, and a short drive to run out the last minute and sixteen seconds left in the game.
Dadeville’s defense absolutely suffocated the Bobcats, and it started in the trenches. Linebacker Tajavion Burns led the way for the Tigers, recording double-digit tackles and making physical hits in the run game that appeared to wear down the Beulah rushing attack.
However, the Beulah offense was having to deal with a handicap in the game. Starting quarterback Demarion Foreman suffered an ankle injury in the Bobcats’ previous game against Prattville and was unable to play, forcing backup Wes Grant to take control of the offense. Grant did throw a touchdown but was struggling to get going for most of the game, partially due to a lack of time in the pocket.
Overall, the night was another disappointing performance for the Bobcats, who fell to 2-4 on the season and 1-2 in region play. Beulah will look to bounce back this week as they travel to Childersburg High for another region matchup.
As for Dadeville, the Tigers improved to 3-2 on the year and 3-1 in region play. Dadeville will look to continue building momentum through the rest of the season and has a bye next week before welcoming Childersburg to town on Oct. 20.
