Bulldogs rally for win over Eagles

DAYTON–A time-expired touchdown pass by the St. John-Endicott/LaCrosse Eagles was called back on an offensive pass-interference flag, and the Bulldog defense chased SJEL's quarterback out of bounds to preserve the 32-26 1B conference win here Friday.

Dayton's defense contributed to the win, giving the team a 2-2 record, tied for third behind DeSales at 4-1 and Liberty Christian at 5-0. The Bulldogs shut down the Eagle offense at crucial points, squelching a drive just before half time, halting two drives in the third quarter and stopping a fourth-quarter drive at the Dayton seven yard line.

"The defense held them up really well," said Jordan McCowen, who guided the Dawg offense after starting quarterback Byron Collier was injured late in the first half.

The 6-1, 145-lb. freshman signal caller rushed for three touchdowns and returned an onside-kick for six to boost Dayton to the win. McCowen carried the ball 15 times for 196 yards and completed three of 10 passes for 62 yards with one interception.

McCowen credited the line's blocking in the win. "The team's blocking helped a ton," McCowen said. "I couldn't really get through holes without them. I have them all to thank."

Dayton travels to Pomeroy this week for a league matchup, kickoff at 7 p.m.

The Bulldogs spotted the Eagles two touchdowns before scoring. Moving the ball after SJEL's second score, quarterback Collier was banged up after a targeting hit which added 15 yards and moved the ball into Eagle territory on the 40 yard line.

McCowen's first pass to Will Durham was incomplete, but then he connected with a 26-yard strike to Denver Hutchens, who caught four of seven passes for 85 yards, three of them for crucial, drive-sustaining gains. Prather finished the drive with a two-yard punch and the Dawgs were on the scoreboard 14-6.

SJEL took to Matthew Deford's arm, connecting two passes to cover the 60 yards for a 20-6 lead on the Brody Fleming touchdown catch.

But wait! The Eagles' on-side kick was fielded by McCowen at the 40 and he veered left to unguarded grass and outsprinted all defenders for a kick-off return. His PAT run was stopped but the Dawgs were within striking distance, 20-12.

SJEL's next possession was the first key stop for Dayton. Starting at the 50, Bear Brewer rushed 20 yards but the Bulldogs clamped down, Prather deflecting a pass attempt to Blake Johnson; McCowen knocking down a throw to Brewer and a third-down fumble losing eight yards as the half expired.

Dayton received the second-half kick and dug out of a hole on a 21-yard ramble by Prather on third and 12. Collier, back at quarterback, rushed for a nine-yard gain and handed to McCowen for a 41-yard touchdown scamper. McCowen's point-after tied it 20-20.

The Eagles fumbled away their next possession, but held the Dawgs and got the ball back at midfield. Hutchens caught Brewer for a five-yard loss, then a delay penalty made it second and 20. SJEL made first down on a 23-yard play to the Dayton 44, but Hutchens again caught an Eagle ball carrier for a loss.

The Bulldogs blitzed on third and five then SJEL's fourth-down pass was almost intercepted, the Eagles turning the ball over on downs.

The Bulldogs sputtered, turning the ball over and the Eagles' Blake Johnson replied with a 27-yard gain to the Dawg 20-yard line. Prather tackled a scrambling Deford when all receivers were covered then Deford found Joe Hergert for first down on the eight-yard line.

Here, three passes in a row went uncaught, and Prather stuffed Fleming at the line of scrimmage to give Dayton the ball.

McCowen's pass to Hutchens didn't go, so the freshman took second and ten 92 yards to give Dayton a 26-20 advantage.

The Eagles fumbled away their next possession and McCowen and the Bulldogs started an 11-play march for a 32-20 lead, highlighted by a 23-yard throw to Hutchens, a Raymond Yutzy first down carry, and another McCowen-to-Hutchens first down that set up McCowen's 15-yard ramble for six. The PAT kick by Hutchens was blocked.

SJEL wasted no time, scoring on a Deford to Fleming pass into the flat covering 65 yards with 9:00 on the fourth-quarter clock.

Dayton's next drive sputtered and the Eagles took a couple giant steps to move 40 yards to the Bulldog 17. Brewer moved the ball to the 10. On third down, Deford's pass to Johnson was tipped away by McCowen and Hutchens tackled Fleming short on fourth down.

Dayton's first play out of the hole was snagged by Eagle Hergert at the Bulldog 40. Again SJEL made some advance but the defense stiffened and stopped the drive at the 18 on downs.

The Bulldogs went to the running game to chew up the clock but a second-down carry by Collier was short and play stopped when Collier was hurt. Prather got Dayton a first down to the 37 but the drive stalled when McCowen was sacked by Deford on third down.

With 19 seconds to play, SJEL's first two passes were incomplete, then Deford found Cole Clements for a scoring pass, but the no-time-left touchdown was brought back by penalty. Deford was chased out of bounds to end the game.

Dayton 32, SJEL 26 (9-29)

Day 0 12 14 6-32

SJEL 6 14 0 6-26

SJEL-Brewer 21 yd pass from Deford. Run failed. 0-6

SJEL-Brewer 32 yd pass from Deford. Johnson run. 0-14

Day-Prather 2 yd run. Run failed. 6-14

SJEL-Fleming 47 yd pass from Deford. Run failed. 6-20

Day-McCowen 60 yd kick off return. Run failed. 12-20

Day-McCowen 41 yd run. McCowen run. 20-20

Day-McCowen 92 yd run. Run failed. 26-20

Day-McCowen 15 yd run. Kick blocked. 32-20

SJEL-Fleming 65-yd pass from Deford. Run failed. 32-26