By Morgan Bryce
Editor
After a major mid-season slump that cost them a shot at the postseason berth, Beulah ended its season on a strong note by demolishing the visiting McKenzie Tigers 56-5 Friday night at Bobcat Stadium.
The first quarter and a half of football saw both teams play at an even keel.
Bobcat running back Chris Person ran 32 yards for a touchdown on Beulah’s opening drive early in the first quarter. The Tigers’ special teams helped put them on the board, as sophomore defensive back Zanderion Cook returned a blocked punt 40 yards to tie the score 6-6. Both teams missed their respective point-after tries.
Donquavious Moreland helped swing the momentum back in his team’s favor fewer than two minutes later, bolting 49 yards for a TD and a lead they would never relinquish. The Bobcats would pad on two more scores to enjoy a comfortable 28-6 lead at halftime.
While Beulah’s potent rushing game helped the Bobcats move the ball throughout the evening, quarterback Kaleb Abney made a number of key throws, including a 24-yard scoring toss to Billy Wayne Sikes.
The Bobcats would go on to outscore the Tigers 28-0 in the second half, adding another passing touchdown and two more scores on the ground.
Offensively, Beulah finished with 520 total yards, including 445 on the ground. Moreland led all rushers with 154 yards on 10 carries for three TDs. Sondrekius Cooper ran six times for 105 yards and a pair of scores and Chris Person added 93 yards on 16 rushes along with another TD.
Abney finished 8-of-14 passing for 75 yards and two TDs to Sikes and Jaquavion Johnson.
Defensively, Stanley Washington finished with four tackles, including one for a loss. Christopher Latham contributed three tackles (two for a loss) and Quinton Hale notched three tackles (one for a loss).
With the win, Beulah finishes 4-6 overall, down from 8-3 overall last season.