Last Friday night the Enterprise Bulldogs hosted the Clarkdale Bulldogs for one of the most historic rivalries in East Mississippi. Enterprise has dominated the 46 game series, but Clarkdale looked to change that with a fourth down stop on the first drive of the game. With the fourth down stop, Clarkdale quickly scored to make it a seven nothing game early. Enterprise continued to struggle early as they gave up a big fumble on their own 16 yard line. The Bulldog defense stood strong as they forced a field goal by Clarkdale. The first quarter ended in a defensive battle as Enterprise faced a 10-0 deficit heading into the second quarter.
Clarkdale didn’t slow down as they made a massive 3rd and long conversion to put them at the forge alive. Another huge drive resulted in a Clarkdale helmet flying clean off. The Enterprise Bulldogs finally made a huge play towards the end of the half stopping Clarkdale on fourth down at the Enterprise 25 yard line.
With little time left, the Bulldogs needed a huge play, so a massive pass to Blake Wilkins and a late hit out of bounds by Clarkdale put Enterprise at the Clarkdale 11 yard line. An outside run by Gavyn Dear ended in a touchdown for Enterprise, and the PAT was good by Trace Roy. Then what seemed like a miracle fumble recovery touchdown for Enterprise was called back, leaving the Bulldogs down 10-7 at the half.
Both Bulldog bands gave a fantastic performance at half time, and the game kicked off for the second half. The third quarter started off with a bang as Enterprise got a huge sack on Clarkdale that could be heard in Meridian. The huge sack didn't deter Clarkdale’s offense as they made a huge run from their own 25 yard line for a touchdown. On the kickoff, Clarkdale’s kicker made one of the most impressive kicks anyone has ever seen, making the kickoff through the uprights on the other side of the field. Enterprise, now faced with a fourth and three at midfield, Dear rushed deep up the middle for an over fifty yard touchdown, but the PAT by Trace Roy was blocked.
On the very next drive, Clarkdale handed it off up the middle but fumbled the football allowing Roy to scoop it up and score. The PAT from Roy again was good.
Clarkdale didn’t give up and had a huge pass on a third and long for a first down at the 45. The Clarkdale running back rushed far outside in what should be an easy first down but was dropped, and Enterprise recovered the second Clarkdale fumble. Zee Sims ran up the middle for a big touchdown from the Bulldog 35 yard line, and the Roy PAT was good. The crowd got wild as the third quarter ended. Enterprise led 27-17 headed into the fourth quarter.
The fourth quarter started off big for Enterprise as Roy fought nearly the entire Clarkdale defense for a first down. The fighting spirit continued as Blake Wilkins made a huge sack to end a Clarkdale drive. Just as Clarkdale’s defense began to make big plays, Dear rushed for another touchdown, and the PAT was good. Clarkdale threw for a massive pass to the Enterprise 34 yard line but fumbled the very next play which was recovered by Percell Lindsey to seal the deal for Enterprise.
EHS Bulldogs won their 17th straight against Clarkdale to advance to 3-0 in district standings.
Enterprise finished the night with 302 total yards, 232 rushing yards, 70 passing yards and 11 first downs. Dear led the team in rushing yards with 110 yards, Zee Sims with 34 rushing yards, Parks Burt with 30 and Roy with 20 total rushing yards. Defensively, Roy, Wilkins, Baum, and R. Jackson tallied six tackles a piece. Sims, Gray, Dear, and Heathcock each had five.
With the victory, Enterprise remains unbeaten and travels to Southeast Lauderdale to face the Tigers this Friday night at 7:00 p.m. A win by the Bulldogs will clinch the division championship and ensure a first round home playoff game. Go Dawgs!
