WEATHERFORD —
It was a tough end to a rough season for the Millsap Bulldogs, who finished their district slate Friday night at home in a 56-7 loss to Blooming Grove.
Fortunately, the Bulldogs were able to catch a glimpse of what next year’s team would be like, with a slew of underclassmen and only a couple seniors graduating.
“Next year starts now,” Millsap head coach Kyle Coker told his team after the game. “We’re a very young team, and now that the season is over, we start work on next season.”
The Bulldog offense looked sharp to start the game, immediately driving down the field on the heels of a 34-yard run by Dylan Burton, who would finish with a team-high 35 rushing yards.
Despite moving the ball to midfield, the Bulldogs would get no closer, going three and out before punting to the Lions.
The ball quickly changed hands, however, as Millsap’s Nicholas Channer came up with an interception at Blooming Grove’s 40-yard line.
Following a penalty and two incompletes, the Bulldogs failed to convert on offense.
The Lions took advantage of the possession, scoring the game’s first touchdown on a 68-yard scamper by quarterback Jayd Kirby, and Tyler Ellis’ kick made it 7-0 with five minutes to play.
After a three and out by the Bulldogs, Blooming Grove made it a 14-0 lead when Kirby found the end zone at the horn for 39 yards.
As in the first quarter, Millsap’s defense held the Lions on their first possession of the second, but Blooming Grove broke through for three straight scores on runs by Brandon Hays, Kirby and Travis Whitehead to take a commanding 35-0 lead into halftime.
After two more Lion touchdowns in the second half, it was Millsap’s turn to light up the scoreboard, as Michael Rogers connected with Dylan Burton for a 43-yard score with less than three minutes to go in regulation.
Blooming Grove would respond with one more touchdown, this time on a 34-yard run by Tyler Morris, to complete the fourth.
Despite their record, the Bulldogs look forward to next season, gaining valuable knowledge and play time this year among their underclassmen.
“The biggest thing we took away from this season was experience,” Coker said. “We had quite a few juniors starting, and we’re looking forward to what they can do for us next year.”
Blooming Grove 56, Millsap 7
BGHS 14 21 7 14 — 56
MHS 0 0 0 7 — 7
Scoring:
BGHS — Jayd Kirby 68 run (Tyler Ellis kick)
BGHS — Kirby 39 run (Ellis kick)
BGHS — Brandon Hays 21 run (Ellis kick)
BGHS — Kirby 30 run (Ellis kick)
BGHS — Travis Whiteside 7 run (Ellis kick)
BGHS — Tyler Morris 34 run (Ellis kick)
BGHS — Morris 34 run (Ellis kick)
MHS — Michael Rogers 43 pass to Dylan Burton (Mitchell Coker kick)
BGHS — Morris 34 run (Ellis kick)
Team stats BGHS MHS
First downs 15 8
Rushes-yds 37-380 18-45
Passing yds 80 137
Com-att-int 4-9-1 11-29-1
Total yds 460 182
Penalties 5-40 4-36
Punts-avg 1-30 6-35.3
Fumbles-lost 2-1 1-0
Individual leaders
Rushing: BGHS — Jayd Kirby, 12-170; MHS — Dylan Burton, 9-35
Passing: BGHS — Kirby, 4-9-1, 80 yds; MHS — Michael Rogers, 10-27-1, 130 yds
Receiving: BGHS — Tyler Ellis, 2-67; MHS — Jaxon Martin, 4-46; Burton, 1-43
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