The Corrigan-Camden Bulldogs bounced back with a 26-16 district victory at home against the Groveton Indians on Friday.
Corrigan improves to 2-1 in district play, executing a strong rushing attack led by senior Derrick Reagie and making several key defensive stops to hold off Groveton late.
“We did what we needed to on both sides, despite some self-inflicted wounds and gave them opportunities to come back. You cannot do that in a rivalry game,” said Bulldog head coach Brett Ratliff. “Once we answered back, I felt like we were in control and the team proved a lot tonight in clutch situations.”
The Bulldogs stole an early 6-0 advantage on a Groveton turnover, setting up a short touchdown run by Reagie. Corrigan piled on right after with a successful onside kick.
Reagie struck again, swimming through the Groveton secondary on a huge 49-yard touchdown run to extend the lead 13-0 midway in the first.
Groveton responded, though. After a defensive penalty, sophomore quarterback Jasper Due threw a deep pass under pressure to senior receiver Ruger McLain for a long-distance touchdown, cutting the deficit to 13-7.
An offensive penalty and dropped pass prevented Corrigan from scoring going into the second quarter.
Groveton’s offense then started with great field position on the punt return, and quickly moved the chains near the goal line. Despite this, the Bulldog defense forced a short field goal to make it 13-10.
The Bulldogs regained momentum on offense as senior tailback Nemo Marshall carried much of the load on the ground. This helped set up Reagie to finish on a 16-yard touchdown run to extend the difference again, 19-10 by halftime.
In the third quarter, Bulldog sophomore quarterback Da’Tavin Love gave up a fumble, which put Groveton deep in Bulldog territory to start.
This allowed Groveton senior Brayden Reynolds on a short run up the middle for a touchdown to make it 19-16 after the missed extra point.
Love bounced right back and exploded on a huge run on the next Corrigan possession to get to Groveton territory.
Later on second-and-goal, Bulldog sophomore quarterback Mikey Murphy completed a pass to Marshall, who powered through and looked to stretch past the goal line.
However, the officials called it short and Murphy would finish the job on the next play sneaking in the last inch for another Bulldog touchdown going into the fourth quarter to make it 26-16.
Later, Groveton converted a deep, contested pass to get inside the red zone. On fourth-and-goal, the pass attempt was slapped away at the line, causing a turnover on downs.
In the final moments, Bulldog sophomore defensive back Jacob Seaver made a late-game interception to stop Groveton’s next possession, maintaining control for the Bulldogs to seal the win.
Corrigan will travel this Friday to face the Iola Bulldogs. Kickoff for this district match is set for 7 p.m.
