Rams’ kick return dooms Bulldogs, 34-28
By Andy Britt
NL Staff Writer
1 October 2008 — In an emotional return to the gridiron following the death of both a current and a former player, Princeton completed a thrilling comeback only to fall in the final minutes of the game to visiting Franklinton, 34-28.
Just after the Bulldogs had tied the game on a 3-yard touchdown run by quarterback Dylan Myers, and then took the lead with a two-point conversion, the Red Rams’ Dietrich Mitchell returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards for the game-winning touchdown with 1:22 remaining.
“Neither team could really stop the other one,” Princeton Head Coach Russell Williamson said. “It’s kind of like who had the ball last. We felt when we scored and took the lead on them that we could hold it, but then they scored on the kickoff.”
The Bulldogs (1-4) took an early 14-0 advantage on a 69-yard touchdown reception by Dillon Daughtry and a 2-yard run by fullback Benton Myers.
But the Red Rams (3-3) rallied for three unanswered touchdowns to take an 18-14 lead late into the third quarter. Franklinton’s Rashad Yarborough scored on a 10-yard fumble return, and Mike Crudup scored TDs from 4 and 3 yards out.
The Bulldogs retook the lead on a 3-yard scoring run by Benton Myers with 40 seconds remaining in the third quarter. But with Princeton leading 20-18, Crudup scored again from 25 yards out to push Franklinton back ahead leading up to the game’s thrilling action in the final minutes.
The Bulldogs tallied 256 yards of total offense including 157 yards rushing. A three-pronged ground attack was led by Benton Myers with 60 yards on nine carries, Kwame Corprew added 51 yards on 10 carries, and Jeremy Carmichael ran for 48 yards on nine attempts.
Quarterback Dylan Myers completed 4-of-12 passes 99 yards and a touchdown, but was picked off twice.
Split end/linebacker Tyler Baker wore and will continue to wear his brother’s old jersey, No. 25, for the remainder of the season. Brandon Baker, 21, a former player, was killed in an automobile accident on September 17. Baker switched jerseys with teammate Matt Williamson, who will now wear No. 22.
The team also mourned the loss of offensive and defensive lineman Matt Stewart, who was 17 years old.
However, Coach Williamson said he was proud of the way his team handled the emotional situation.
“It couldn’t help but be tough on them,” he said. “Matt was a big part of us – not just for the football team, but for the whole school, and really, the whole community.”
Princeton travels to Swan Quarter this Friday to face Mattamuskeet (1-4) of the 1A Tideland Atlantic Conference, before beginning conference play in two weeks.
“We’ll bounce back, we always have,” Coach Williamson said.
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