Emanuel County Institute heads to the third bracket!
By Brent Freeman
This past Friday night the ECI Bulldogs faced off against the Dooly County Bobcats for the second round of playoffs. ECI has had an incredible season and each player and coach and were not quite ready to end it just yet. They knew that Dooly County would be a tough opponent, but that was not going to stop these dawgs. The final score would reveal just how serious the Bulldogs were about proceeding on to the next round, it was 35-0.

DEFENSE DEFENDS AGAINST THE PASS

It started with a kickoff by ECI, but they did not let them get far, as they stopped them after a 5 yard return. A pass by the Bobcats would then be stopped as Dexter Moody made an interception near the 37 yard line. ECI quickly moved down the field, bringing the ball to the 5 yard line. Michael Robertson then gives the ball to Washaun Ealey who powers through for the touchdown. Will Hinson was ready to show what he was made of, as he made a good kick for the extra point, 7-0. The rest of the quarter was filled with hard hits and fast action plays. The ECI defense was tearing through the Bobcats taking away any hope of them getting a touchdown.

The second quarter began and ECI was coming on even stronger. Dooly County had possession of the ball, but the Bulldog boys would change that. The Bobcats were closing in on the end-zone, and made a quick pass, but La- Collie Gordon was there to get the interception. He ran the ball 40 yards to the 50 yard line. The Bulldogs were fighting hard, but the ball would again change hands soon. The Bobcats thought they might have a chance this time to do some damage, but the ECI defense had other ideas. ECI's Mark Flott proved this when he plowed through the Bobcat line to make a sac at the 44 yard line. Soon thereafter, the ball was back in ECI hands. Time was running out for the half, so the Bulldogs knew they had to work fast. ECI brought the ball to the 3 yard line. With 45 seconds remaining, Robertson handed the ball to Washaun Ealey who dived in for the touchdown. Will Hinson's good kick kept it going and the score was 14- 0 as the first half ended.

ECI did not waste anytime getting things started in the third quarter. After a return by Dexter Moody, the Bulldogs started moving into position for another touchdown. The ECI offense moved the ball down the field stopping near the 7 yard line. The offensive line did a great job crushing the Bobcats as Robertson handed the ball to Ealey for a seven yard touchdown. Will Hinson did a great job with his kick, and the scoreboard now read 21-0. The ball was now back in Bobcat possession, but the ECI guys were laying in wait. Dooly County tried moving the ball, when almost the entire defensive line came in on top of the Bobcat quarterback for a sac at the 19 yard line. The Bulldogs then had the ball, and wasted no time. Robertson handed the ball to Ealey while the offensive line continued to crush the Bobcats. With 4:25 left and a 15 yard rush, Ealey did it once again to make the score 27-0. The Bobcats came hard down the field and started to look like they might make it, when from out of nowhere the ECI defense forced a fumble near the 15 yard line. Dexter Moody recovered it, and brought it back to the 5 yard line. This time Michael Robertson would run the ball around the Bobcat defense for the touchdown. The Bulldogs decided to go for the two points this time. The ball was handed Washaun Ealey and as he ran across the line the score changed to 35-0.

The fourth quarter would only reveal how tough the ECI Bulldogs are. They showed what the ECI spirit consist of. Dooly County's sportsmanship on the other hand seemed to disappear, as the game started to come to an end. Too many personal fouls, and other misconduct gestures by the Bobcats forced an early end to the game with the Bulldogs winning 35-0.

ECI has not advanced so far in the playoffs since 1981, a true accomplishment for the ECI players and coaches. Also during this game, Washaun Ealey broke the record for the touchdowns in a single season. The old record was 46 and Washaun got his 49th during the game. Individual accomplishments to the side, the Bulldog team as a whole has done something great. They have showed our community that through hard work and dedication anything can be done. Be sure to keep showing support for the ECI boys as they keep chasing the championship. However, win or lose, it is certain that everyone is proud of Coach Turner and his Bulldogs. The next round for ECI will be held in Twin City this Friday night at 7:30 and the Bulldogs will face Warren county.

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