Hunter Uland wraps up a Perry County ball carrier and makes the tackle for loss. (Post Photos by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
CORNERSVILLE — The only thing that struck faster than the lightning that blanketed the area on Friday night was the Cornersville Bulldog offense.
The ‘Dawgs (3-0) set the tone for the game against visiting Perry County and struck on the first play from scrimmage, overcame a lightning delay then went on to crush the Vikings 36-6, marking the third-straight win to start the year.
“So proud of the guys for sticking together and overcoming the weather and a really physical Perry County team. We played hard all night,” Bulldog coach Eliot Cook said.
On the very first play from scrimmage, senior Hunter Uland caught a block and streaked down the visitor sideline 60 yards to paydirt for the first strike of the night.
As the quarter dragged on, Perry County found an answer for the early Cornersville score when Nate Mathis caught a crease and scored on an 18-yard touchdown carry.
But Cornersville’s defense sniffed out the two-point conversion attempt, leaving it at a 7-6 Bulldog lead with just under three minutes to play in the first.
Following the Viking score, the game was sent into a lightning dela
Jackson Smith steps back and fires a pass in pregame warmups. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
y as storms blanketed Middle Tennessee.
While a lengthy pause could have derailed Cornersville, if anything, the ‘Dawgs exited the delay more focused.
And from there’ the ‘Dawgs rolled, scoring an unanswered 29 points to close out the third-straight win.
Uland notched his second score of the night in the closing minutes of the first half, scoring on a six-yard run.
Laughlin Baker successfully tacked on the two-point try for the 15-6 Cornersville lead.
The ground attack continued into the third period with a 30-yard strike from Easton Lombardi.
The ‘Dawgs continued to hammer the Vikings on the ground and got a 15-yard touchdown run from quarterback Jackson Smith with 7:15 left and a final touchdown came with 2:31 left in regulation on a nine-yard run by Levi Wentzel.
Jackson Smith was a perfect 4-of-4 on extra point attempts in the win.
While the offense may have stolen the headlines, Cook was quick to credit the defense for effectively shutting down a physical Perry County team.
“The defense really answered the call vs a big Perry offense and I love how we are getting multiple people involved offensively,” Cook said.
Through three weeks, the Bulldogs are averaging 35 points per game and have given up just six points in the last two weeks combined.
With a 3-0 statement to begin the season in hand, Cornersville has a chance to make an even bigger statement on Friday night as the ‘Dawgs welcome Fayetteville to open Region 5-A play before playing four-straight away games.
Fayetteville (0-3) enters region play after falling 42-12 to Gordonsville.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at Frog Bottom.
Perry Co. 6 0 0 0 — 6
Cornersville 7 8 7 14 — 36
First Quarter
C — Hunter Uland 60 run, (Jackson Smith kick), 10:31.
PC — Nate Mathis 18 run (2pt run failed), 2:45.
Second Quarter
C — Uland 6 run, (Laughlin Baker 2pt. pass from Smith), 3:20.
Third Quarter
C — Easton Lombardi 30 run, (Smith kick), 7:17.
Fourth Quarter
C — Smith 15 run, (Smith kick), 7:15.
C — Levi Wentzel 9 run, (Smith kick), 2:31.