Halloween night will find the ECI Bulldogs hosting Screven Co. for the region championship and the number one seed from region three entering the state playoffs. Both teams are currently 7-0 in region play after ECI defeated Claxton 48-8 and the Gamecocks dispensed Portal Friday 42-7.
Both teams have made a turnaround from the 2024 season. Screven ended last season with a 4-6 season record and were on the outside looking in having missed the playoffs with a 3-5 region record. This season they are one of 5 class A division 2 teams that are undefeated with a 9-0 record.
The Bulldogs have also improved on their 2024 season. They are currently 7-2 with losses to Wilcox and Swainsboro. Like the Gamecocks they are undefeated in region play with a 7-0 record. The Bulldogs were the number 4 seed last season but will play for the region championship and the number one seed Friday night.
Both teams’ defenses rank in the top 10 in class A division two football. The Bulldog defense is ranked 10 giving up 15 points per game. The Gamecocks have the number one defense in the class allowing just under a touchdown per game.
As mentioned earlier, the Bulldogs traveled to Claxton Friday night, winning the Facemask Bowl 48-8. After winning the toss Friday night in Claxton, the Tigers elected to take the ball first, at least that was the plan. The Bulldog kick off bounced off the Tiger kick returner’s chest bouncing back into the hands of kicker Jackson Kennedy to set up the Bulldogs at the Tiger 38-yard line.
It was all downhill from there for Claxton. The Bulldogs put their first of 22 first quarter points on the board 3 plays later to take an early lead before the burgers were ready. The first quarter scoring plays consisted of an 18-yard touchdown run by Tyler Foreman, a 25-yard romp by Ab Marsh, and a Kennedy to Davis Johnson 32-yard touchdown pass to put the Bulldogs up 22-0.
The Bulldogs were not through in the first half. Chase Johnson found the endzone from 5 yards out and Jackson Kennedy found TE Vaiden Kirkland across the middle for a 16-yard touchdown pass.
Leading 34-0 at the half, coach Harper gave most of his starters a rest and let the JV close out the game in third and fourth quarters. Davis Johnson, in for Kennedy at quarterback, scored his second touchdown of the game on a 7-yard run in the third quarter. Claxton scored their only points on a 45-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter. Sophomore TJ Weaver ended the Bulldogs’ scoring in the fourth quarter on a 3-yard run to make the final score 48-8. The Bulldogs used a pack of 9 Bulldog runners and 3 quarterbacks to rush for 235 yards on the ground and another 124 through the air for 342 offensive yards. The Bulldogs will recognize those student athletes on senior night this Friday before the game against the Gamecocks. They will also recognize the 2007 and 2012 championship teams with a special presentation during halftime. If you were a member of either of those teams, be sure to meet at the bell before halftime.
