Bulldogs outlast Eagles, 19-13

"It will all come down to whoever has the ball last," remarked one fan on the sideline. Indeed, it was back and forth all game, but the Bordentown Bulldogs (60lb division) held strong down the stretch to defeat the Seneca Eagles 19-13 in an early morning game that was clinched in a dramatic final moment.

In their first road game of the season the Bordentown Bulldogs (60lb division) brought their stellar offense, led by quarterback Noah Jackson, to the beautiful practice fields outside Seneca High School. Jackson scored quickly in the first quarter on a breakway run (his first of 3 touchdowns on the day), putting the Bulldogs up early, 6-0. But the smash-mouth Seneca offence grinded out a long drive to tie the game in the second quarter, 6-6.

Seneca dominated the clock during the entire penalty-free contest. Their glacial running game made slow and steady progress, frequently converting 4th down opportunities. Ryan Hinkle, Andrew Leback and the rest of the Bulldog defense made the Seneca offense work for every yard, but the Eagles put together solid offensive drives all day.

After chewing up the clock the entire first half, Seneca took the field for the second half and promptly gave up another breakaway touchdown to the powerhouse Bulldogs offense, which made the score 12-6, Bulldogs. Seneca started their offensive crawl again, taking up an entire quarter's worth of clock, and took the lead for the only time late in the fourth quarter, 12-13, after a successful PAT.

With less than two minutes left in the game, the Bulldogs went back on the attack. Brandon Christian was now taking snaps and the Bulldogs scored again on a long breakaway run by Noah Jackson, making it 18-13, Bulldogs. Their upcoming point after attempt was now critical in case Seneca once again marched the length of the field in the final minute of the game. Fullback Jack Parker was handed the ball and, after breaking two tackles, put the Bulldogs ahead 19-13.

But it was the Bulldog defense which really won the game in the end. Seneca was now on the march with time running out in the 4th quarter. They took no chances with the ball, letting their quarterback take the snap and run off-tackle for several first downs. Seneca burned all their timeouts marching all the way down to the Bulldog 15-yard line. The Bulldog defense bent no further. On the final play of the game, the Bulldogs' Richard Reinhardt and Jack Parker combined on a clutch open-field tackle to stop the Eagles and give the game to the Bulldogs.

This is the second straight win for the Bulldogs.

Pictures are here.