The ECI Bulldogs football team joined the ECI Lady Dawgs softball and Bulldog baseball teams by capturing a region championship in 2026.
The Bulldogs defeated the Portal Panthers 36-28 Friday night on Senior Recognition Night at Rountree Stadium to finish their regular season with a perfect 4-0 region record and add another championship trophy to the case.
The Bulldogs took the opening kickoff and marched 60 yards down the field, using their ground game to put the first points on the board. Ab Marsh capped off the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run, and Lawson Frye added the extra point to give ECI an early 7-0 lead.
The 7-1 Panthers answered quickly. A 41-yard kickoff return gave Portal possession at the Bulldog 23-yard line, and the Panthers took advantage of the short field to tie the game at 7-7.
ECI responded with another impressive ground attack, covering 65 yards for a touchdown. Vaiden Kirkland finished the drive with a 12-yard scoring run to put the Bulldogs back on top, 14-7.
The Bulldogs continued their first-quarter scoring with another touchdown. Runs of 22 and 27 yards by Ab Marsh and Ste Sinkfield helped set up Kirkland's second 12-yard touchdown run of the quarter. ECI carried a 21-7 lead into the second quarter.
Kirkland found the end zone for the third time late in the first half, breaking loose for an 18-yard touchdown run to give the Bulldogs a commanding 28-7 advantage heading into the locker room.
Portal received the opening kickoff of the second half and put together a lengthy scoring drive. Using nearly seven minutes of the third quarter, the Panthers scored from one yard out. It was the only touchdown of the quarter, cutting the Bulldog lead to 28-14 heading into the final period.
The Bulldogs added what would prove to be their final touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Marsh scored his second touchdown of the night on a 5-yard run to extend the ECI lead to 36-14.
The Panthers refused to go away, adding two fourth-quarter touchdowns to make things interesting. However, the Bulldogs recovered Portal's onside kick attempt and were able to run out the clock, securing the 36-28 victory and the region championship.
The Bulldogs finished the night with an impressive 422 yards rushing, with two players surpassing the 100-yard mark. Marsh led the way with 130 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown. Kirkland added 116 yards on just nine carries, scoring three touchdowns. Malcolm Steele contributed 64 yards, while Sinkfield carried four times for 48 yards. Chase Johnson added 37 yards, and Davis Johnson finished with 27.
The Bulldogs are currently ranked 10th in the GHSA power rankings with the win over Portal. The Bulldogs now have an open week before beginning their state playoff run. Their final playoff seeding will change depending on the results of games played during the last week of the regular season.
With a perfect region record and another championship secured, the Bulldogs have accomplished their regular-season goal. Now, their attention turns to the postseason and the opportunity to make another run in the state playoffs.
