The ECI Bulldogs opened the 2026 football season Friday night at Rountree Stadium, hosting longtime rival Metter in the season opener. After leading just 6-0 at halftime, the Bulldogs turned up the pressure in the second half, pulling away for a 26-7 victory over the Tigers.
ECI had opportunities to score early, reaching the red zone twice in the first quarter but coming away empty-handed. A fumble at the Metter 18-yard line stopped one drive, while a holding penalty ended another possession after the Bulldogs had driven to the Tigers' 4-yard line.
The Bulldogs finally broke through in the second quarter after putting together a 60-yard scoring drive. On the third play of the drive, Ab Marsh broke several tackles and outran the Metter secondary for a 54-yard touchdown run. The extra point was blocked, but ECI had taken a 6-0 lead.
Metter answered quickly after halftime. On the second play of its first possession of the third quarter, the Tigers broke loose for a 59-yard touchdown run. The extra point was good, giving Metter its only lead of the night at 7-6.
The Bulldogs responded with a long, methodical drive of their own. ECI put together an 11-play possession that ended with Marsh finding the end zone again, this time on a 29-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion attempt failed, but the Bulldogs had regained the lead, 12-7.
Metter threatened again midway through the fourth, driving to the ECI 20-yard line. The Bulldog defense, however, stood its ground and turned away the Tigers' scoring opportunity, giving the ball back to the offense at the ECI 28.
The Bulldogs took advantage, putting together another long drive and extending their lead when Marsh scored his third touchdown of the night. The successful run pushed ECI's advantage to 18-7.
The Bulldog defense came up with another big play on Metter's next possession. After a hard hit by Maddox Sherrod forced a quarterback fumble, Hane Henry recovered at the Metter 20-yard line, putting the Bulldogs in excellent field position.
Four plays later, Marsh found the end zone for the fourth time, scoring on an 11-yard run. ECI converted the two-point try to make it 26-7 late in the fourth quarter.
The defense then put the finishing touch on the victory when Malcom Steel intercepted a Metter pass in the end zone late in the game, ending the Tigers' final scoring threat. The Bulldogs ran out the clock to secure the 26-7 season-opening victory over their rival.
Marsh was the workhorse for the Bulldogs, hardly leaving the field while leading ECI in both rushing and solo tackles. He finished the night with 164 yards on 18 carries and four touchdowns, picking up much of his yardage after initial contact.
As a team, the Bulldogs rushed for 274 yards. Davis Johnson completed 6 of 13 passes for 41 yards.
Defensively, ECI held the Tigers to just 64 yards rushing and 131 yards passing, with the Bulldog defense forcing 2 fumbles and an interception, including Steel's game-ending pick in the end zone.
With the season opener in the books, the Bulldogs now turn their attention to another big rivalry game. ECI will host Swainsboro Thursday night in the annual county battle.
It will be the Bulldogs' second Thursday night game in as many years after traveling to Savannah High School for a Thursday night contest last season. Rain may be in the forecast for Thursday, but if history is any indication, weather will not keep the stands at Rountree Stadium empty.
Swainsboro, ranked No. 2 entering the season, will come to ECI looking to bounce back after suffering an upset Friday night against an unranked but always-tough Cook County team. Cook County pulled off the upset with a successful two-point conversion in overtime.
For the Bulldogs, the first victory of 2026 is in the books. Now the focus shifts to county bragging rights and another opportunity to make some noise at Rountree Stadium.
