The Corrigan-Camden Bulldogs’ 2025 season ended as they fell 59-21 to the Garrison Bulldogs in the bi-district round of the playoffs Thursday in Jacksonville’s Tomato Bowl.
Corrigan came out swinging and did everything to keep it an exciting back-and-forth game early, but Garrison took a two-score difference with control going into halftime and never looked back.
“In these games, sometimes you just run out of bullets. We came out firing like we were supposed to. Both sides played hard,” said Corrigan-Camden head coach Brett Ratliff. “You feel the pressure when they are up and you have to answer again. Honestly, we pressed on some plays from a coaching perspective that cost us. They took advantage of that momentum.”
Garrison received the opening possession and junior running back Carter Crawford would break through for a big gain into Bulldog territory. Although the Corrigan defense later forced a fourth down before the red zone, Garrison junior quarterback Riley McGuire rolled out and got a key block for a 24-yard rushing touchdown, establishing the early 7-0 lead.
Corrigan's offense started to move the sticks running option from the gun, followed by a rollout pass from senior quarterback William Ratliff to senior running back Mason Murphy, converting into Garrison territory. Corrigan junior tight end Braylon Levy made a huge reception to convert on fourth down inside the 10-yard line. This set up Corrigan junior running back Derrick Reagie on a nine-yard touchdown run to help even the score late in the first quarter.
After a great kickoff return to start from Corrigan territory, Garrison senior running back Avery Yarbrough would accelerate for a huge gain to get inside the five-yard line. This set up Crawford to power through for a four-yard touchdown run, taking the lead again at 14-7 going into the second quarter.
Corrigan senior tight end Tajh Thomas responded with a strong kickoff return of his own, then Ratliff connected with Murphy on another big first-down pass. Ratliff set up a short first-and-goal with a nice run along the left side, then got a three-yard tush push for a rushing touchdown to tie it again at 14.
McGuire immediately responded, tricking the Corrigan defense on a keeper and taking it all the way for a 62-yard touchdown run. This made it a 21-14 Garrison lead.
A quarterback scramble by Ratlliff turned into a big gain into Garrison territory on the next possession. Then, on a fortuitous third-down play, Murphy fumbled a ball that fell straight into the hands of Corrigan senior receiver Paden Walker, who ran for a 37-yard touchdown. This tied it again 21-21 with several minutes still in the half.
Crawford responded several plays later, breaking through on a 38-yard rushing touchdown to make it 28-21 late in the half.
Although the Corrigan offense stayed aggressive, Ratliff would get sacked from the blind side and Corrigan was forced to punt.
Garrison took advantage with another big run from Yarbrough to get inside the red zone, setting up his own 15-yard touchdown run to extend the lead 35-21 at halftime.
Corrigan's offense struggled to start the third quarter and Crawford wasted no time marching down the field on some big runs for Garrison. McGuire would take a two-yard rushing touchdown to further extend the lead 41-21 after the blocked extra kick.
Yarbrough fumbled his next punt return, but still took it all the way into Corrigan territory. This helped set up a wide-open pass play to Garrison junior receiver Hayden Peddy for another Garrison touchdown.
Garrison senior running back Caden Reneau also broke through the middle for a rushing touchdown.
Corrigan tried to keep fighting early in the fourth, but fumbled the ball on a bad snap after marching down the field. McGuire would take a short rushing touchdown for the final score of the night.
Ratliff noted the lasting impact on his players, completing this season strong after the tragic passing of student athlete Daniel Rivera in September.
“We taught our players to have strong belief and faith, while being there for each other,” Ratliff said. “They have endured what most cannot and handled it with grace, fight and honor. I couldn’t be more proud of this group.”
