The (3-2) Corrigan-Camden Bulldogs will play against the (4-1) Garrison Bulldogs in the opening playoff round this Thursday.
Thursday’s first round playoff match and Battle of the Bulldogs will take place at the historic Tomato Bowl in Jacksonville.
The Garrison Bulldogs, led by sixth-year head coach Brandon Alvarez, are coming off a 22-12 win over the powerhouse Joaquin Rams last week. This finished Garrison’s regular season with a 4-1 record and the second-place spot in their district.
This will be another grudge match opportunity for the Corrigan Bulldogs, as they were eliminated by Garrison in the first playoff round last year with a 56-13 loss.
Garrison’s dominant rushing attack and early momentum quickly put that game out of reach, while Corrigan struggled to establish its ground game until the second half.
Despite showing fight with a long touchdown pass and a late scoring drive, the Bulldogs of Polk County couldn’t match Garrison’s size and speed.
Corrigan did have success over Garrison in the playoffs during their 2022 breakout season, with a 28-7 victory in the first round.
Garrison also went 4-1 in district last season, losing 15-7 to Waskom in the area playoff round.
“Coach Alvarez started around the same time I did, and he has instilled a really good program over there. Historically, Garrison has always been,” said Bulldog head coach Brett Ratliff. “We both had solid and talented teams in 2022. Last year, their defense was as good as I had ever seen in a small school. Plus, they still have some of those players returning this year.”
During district play this year, Garrison averaged 31 points per game and allowed 20 points on average.
By comparison, Corrigan scored an average of 28 points, while allowing under 23 points.
Garrison’s ground-and-pound offense will feature junior quarterback Riley McGuire, senior running back Avery Yarbrough and junior running back Carter Crawford.
Kickoff for Thursday’s playoff match is set for 7 p.m. in Jacksonville.
