The ECI Bulldogs travelled to Vidalia Friday night to take on the Vidalia Indians.
Coming off a heartbreaker the previous week at home against Savannah Country Day, the Bulldogs were dead set on a statement win.
Forcing a turnover deep in their own territory, ECI took over at the 4-yard line. Penalties wiped away a couple of acrobatic runs by PJ Farnum, but on fourth-and-short, the Bulldogs faked a punt. Farnum racked up 31 yards on the play, taking the ball down to the Vidalia 36-yard line. Following a 10-yard pass and 9-yard run by ECI QB Bryce Kearson, the big diesel DJ Jones got the Bulldogs on the board with a 1-yard touchdown run.
After a successful PAT, the Bulldogs took a 7-0 lead with 8:26 to go in the first half.
On the ensuing kickoff, Kobe Allen gave ECI a huge shot in the arm after he forced and recovered a Vidalia fumble on their 47-yard line. With a big dose of Jones and a big pass from Kearson, the Bulldogs found the end zone with Farnum from 15 yards out. Following a successful PAT, Vidalia found themselves down 14-0 to the visiting Bulldogs.
After a missed field goal by the Indians, ECI took a 14-0 lead into halftime. On the opening drive of the second half, ECI had a promising drive, but the Bulldogs would turn the ball over on downs at the Vidalia 26-yard line.
The tough ECI defense, however, continued to play stingy and again forced a Vidalia punt. A 19-yard completion from Bryce Kearson would be all ECI could muster and was again forced to punt.
Vidalia finally got on the board with a 23-yard touchdown pass, but the PAT was blocked, making the score 14-6 ECI.
Samuel McBride would tack on a field goal from 22 yards out following a big Bulldog drive, making the score 17-6.
With only a few minutes left in the game, Vidalia punched it into the end zone completed a 2-point conversion, bringing the score to 17-14 Bulldogs.
ECI would ice the game with a few tough runs by Jones and a few kneels by QB Bryce Kearson.
Leading the Bulldogs on the night was PJ Farnum with 113 rushing yards and 1 touchdown and DJ Jones with 111 yards and 1 touchdown. Bryce Kearson also added 16 yards on the ground and 46 yards passing.
The Bulldogs have an open week and will get to work on preparation for the Screven County Gamecocks in two weeks.