The Trion Bulldogs took on Irwin County for a second time in as many years on Friday night in Ocilla to open the Class A Public State Playoffs in Football. Last year, the Dawgs braved the long road journey and fought off the flu to come away with a victory over the home standing Indians. While the itinerary remained the same for the Bulldogs, the outcome was far different from last year's trip. Trion (5-5) fell to Irwin County (9-1-1) on Friday night marking the end of the football season for the Bulldogs. In the end, Irwin County's rushing attack proved to be too much for the Dawgs. Trion would mount a valiant comeback and would draw to within a single score, but it was not to be the Dawgs' day as Irwin County powered ahead to the victory.
Trion won the opening coin toss and elected to defer to the second half. The first kick attempt bounced out of bounds and Irwin County forced the Bulldogs to kick again. With excellent field position, the Indians went to work on the ground, running jet sweeps on 6 successive plays, leading to the first points of the game. Irwin County lead 7-0 early. Trion looked to answer the score but could not move the ball and had to punt it away to Irwin County. On the ensuing drive, the Indians would rip a big run on the Bulldogs to take their lead to 14-7.
Trion would show signs of life on the next drive, getting a clutch run from senior Corey Bethune, who scrambled down to the 2 yard line of Irwin County to set up a Latham touchdown plunge. The PAT would cut the Indians' advantage to 14-7. Irwin County was not done with the scoring in the first quarter. They would answer the Bulldogs on their next drive, putting their lead back at 14, with a 21-7 advantage over the Bulldogs.
In the second quarter, desperate for some offense, the Dawgs would dip into the bag of tricks and throw a double pass down to the one yard line of Irwin County. A short dive later, Trion would find themselves again within one score. The PAT was blocked, making the score 21-13 Indians. Irwin County would drive the field again, and score on the ground to stretch the advantage to 28-13. In what was turning into a shootout, the Dawgs needed a play from their defense to stay in the game.
Trion would dodge a bullet when an intercepted pass was overturned due to a personal foul call on Irwin County for roughing the passer. Trion would not be able to move the ball far after that play, but they would punt the Indians deep into their own territory. As before, Irwin County would begin to drive the field. However, unlike their previous drives, they made a fatal mistake that would change the complexion of the game and breathe life into the Bulldogs. On a third down play, the Indians would try an ill-advised pass and the quarterback would fumble the ball away to Trion with 1:55 remaining before the half. The Dawgs would drive into the red zone, with a gutsy performance by an injured Corey Bethune. Bethune would eventually find Issac Thomas on a pass into the endzone for a Bulldogs' touchdown. After having the last PAT blocked, Trion attempted a 2 point conversion to draw within 7, but they would be turned away. The score at the half would be 28-19 in favor of the Indians.
Trion would get the kickoff to start the second half and they would pass their way down the field, with Bethune again finding Thomas for the score. Trion would kick the PAT and would cut the Indians' lead to 28-26. The Bulldogs would never get any closer, however. With the game starting to take the toll on the Bulldogs, the Indians would answer with a touchdown of their own to stretch their lead to 35-26. Trion had new life when Irwin County fumbled the ball away while attempting to convert a 4th and one, but they could do nothing with it. Bethune was still hobbled by an apparent leg injury and the pace of the game started to wear on the Bulldogs. They would give the ball back to Irwin County who would score again to take a 42-26 lead.
With the game getting late, Jared Witt would come on in place of the injured Bethune. The Bulldogs would not threaten again, as the Indians' defense would stiffen and stop the Dawgs cold. Irwin County would tack on a score late to make the final score 49-26. The Indians would have their revenge and the folks at the Chicken Delight would prove to be right. The speed of the Indian's backs on offense eventually wore down the Dawgs and the Indian defense bottled up the Trion running game, leading to the Irwin County victory.
Trion finishes the season 5-5, with four of the five losses coming to private schools. This year's trip to the playoffs marks the second year in a row that the Bulldogs made it to the state playoffs and speaks to the hard work and dedication of the coaches and players. With region realignments on the horizon, we will have to wait and see what is in store for the Bulldogs next year. A talented group of seniors have made their mark on the team and it will be up to some of the youngsters on the team to step up next year if Trion hopes to make it three straight trips to the playoffs. It should prove to be an entertaining ride. Shame we have to wait a whole year for it.
