For the second consecutive week, the ECI Bulldogs hosted a Chatham County school between the hashmarks at William Rountree Stadium. Savannah Country Day rolled into Twin City ranked seventh in the state, and it didn’t take them long to get on the board.
In the first quarter, after a 50-yard drive and a 2-point conversion, the visiting Hornets took an early 8-0 lead. With 1:26 left in the first quarter, P.J. Farnum got the Bulldogs on the board after a 35-yard touchdown scamper. However, the Hornets still held an 8-6 lead after a failed 2-point conversion attempt fell short for the Dawgs.
Savannah Country Day didn’t take long in extending their lead after a 42-yard drive was capped off with a 17-yard touchdown run with 10:41 left in the first half. After a successful PAT by the Hornets, the Bulldogs found themselves down 15-6.
After the Bulldog offense failed to reach the sticks on a 3rd-and-long, QB Bryce Kearson drew the Hornets’ defense offsides on fourth down. Kearson then connected on a 26-yard pass to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by D.J. Jones with 2:20 left in the first half. The PAT was good, and the Bulldogs pulled within two points, 15-13. The score would remain 15-13 going into halftime when the clock ran out on the Hornets’ drive.
The third quarter began and after the first two ECI drives were wiped out by penalties and a turnover, Savannah Country Day scored from 12 yards out and with the successful PAT, the Hornets led 22-13 with 3:31 to go in the third quarter. ECI then bogged down after a holding call and a sack.
However, the Bulldog defense rose to the occasion, getting a sack of their own and forcing a Hornet punt. After an ECI drive, Farnum scored on an 8-yard run and the successful PAT made the score 22-20 with 3:17 left in the game.
After a failed squib kick attempt by the Bulldogs, the Hornet offense took over and picked up two crucial first downs, which allowed them to let the clock run out on the Bulldogs.
ECI was led by the play of QB Bryson Kearson, who had 58 passing yards and 34 rushing yards; D.J. Jones, who tallied 68 rushing yards and 1 touchdown; and P.J.Farnum, who put up 58 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Bulldogs travel to Vidalia this week, September 3, and are open the following week before welcoming the Screven County Gamecocks to Twin City on September 17. Game times are set for 7:30 p.m.