By THOMAS P. WEAVER

Horizon Editor

CELINA-The Clay County Bulldogs notched their second-straight convincing win over an old rival here last week, as the Dawgs improved to 3-1 on the season with a 42-0 shutout of Monterey (2-2).

“The kids came out a played really well,” head coach Bruce Lamb said of his Bulldogs.  “They were fired up—had a little emotion going into that game, and it showed.

“That is a good win, because Monterey is a good football team,” he continued.  “Now they know they can play with anybody.

“It was huge for our confidence level and we are beginning to believe.”

Coming off back-to-back dominating performances—including a 35-7 blowout of Jackson County earlier this month, the Dawgs will need to continue believing this week, as they take a trip to Class 5A Portland (2-2).

“I’ve been there and it’s a tough place to play,” Lamb said.  “We’ve got our hands full—they are big and strong, got 100 players, and it’s going to be tough.

“But they can only play 11 just like us.”

Last season, Clay County beat the Panthers in a 48-36 shootout.

“It was back and forth and our kids outlasted them,” Lamb said.  “We are not going there for a walk in the park.

“We better have our A-game, go play, and see what happens.”

Portland’s wins have come against Whitehouse (3-1) and Greenbrier (0-4).  They lost to Davidson Academy (2-2) and Beech (3-1).

This will be only the fourth time in history the Dawgs have played the Panthers, with the other two meetings coming back in 1960 and 1961.

Tune in to Horizon Sports Network coverage of Friday night’s game at Portland for an interview with Lamb during the H&H Auto and Equipment Parts Pregame show starting at 6 p.m., one hour prior to kick off at 7 p.m.

Hear more thoughts on the Panthers from the coach and much more, online at www.dalehollowhorizon.com or on the Dale Hollow Horizon Facebook page.

Dawgs blitz

the Wildcats

Monterey didn’t see it coming and neither did Clay County’s coach, when the Dawgs blitzed the Wildcats with an efficient offense and unyielding defense here last week.

“I didn’t expect that,” Lamb said of his Bulldogs’ relentless attack.  “I was very, very pleased.”

Clay County turned Monterey over on downs on their first possession and marched 75 yards to paydirt, as an 18-yard touchdown connection between senior quarterback Nate Adams and junior wideout Waylon Cherry capped their nine-play scoring drive.

Senior kicker Manny Hernandez, who finished a perfect five for five on the night, then booted the extra point and the Dawgs quickly went up 7-0.

Then on the first Monterey offensive play, junior Nolan Adams picked off a Wildcat pass and ran it back to surge his team ahead 14-0.

The Wildcats next two possessions ended in a punt and fumble, while Clay County kept clicking.

Another nine-play drive ended with the Dawgs making it 21-0, following Nate Adams connecting with senior Lance Burchett for a 34-yard touchdown.

Senior tailback Ayden Soto then caught a 22-yard score of his own on Clay County’s next possession to make it 28-0 with under a minute left in the first half.

For good measure, the Dawgs recovered an ensuing onside kick with 32 seconds remaining in the second quarter and scored with four ticks left on the clock, when Nate Adams ran one in from three yards out to send Clay County into the break with a 35-0 lead.

With the TSSAA mercy rule running clock in effect in the second half, both teams only had one possession per quarter, and the only highlight of the half came in the form of another pick-six by Nate Adams—which, paired with Hernandez’s fifth make, accounted for the final margin.

Bulldog stats

Clay County produced 332 yards of total offense on 41 plays, including 69 rushing yards (TD) on 15 carries and 263 passing yards (3TDs) in the win over Monterey.

Nate Adams completed 17 of 26 attempts to account for all of the passing yards and scores with connections to Nolan Adams (7/104 yds.), Burchett (6/104 yds./TD), Cherry (2/31 yds./TD), and Soto (2/24 yds./TD).

Nate Adams was also the leading rusher (3/30 yds./TD), while Soto (10/27 yds.), Nolan Adams (1/7 yds.), and senior Worm Smith (1/5 yds.) added carries.

Junior Reece Adams again led the Dawg defense with a huge 14-tackle night (Sack), while Smith also had a good outing with nine stops.

Senior Hayden Adams (TFL/FR) and Nolan Adams (INT-TD) each made four tackles; Soto recorded three; seniors Kaden Strong and Eli Burnette, juniors Bryson Sharp, Cole Eads, and Kolton Brown (TFL); sophomore Roland Holaway, and freshman Jackson Ritter all made two; and Nate Adams had one (INT-TD).