Priceville entered Friday night’s game against Wilson looking to avoid a letdown following a region win over Brooks this past week.
Through most of the first half, it looked like the Bulldogs’ worst fears were taking place as they struggled to stay close with Wilson (1-4, 0-3). The Warriors jumped out to a 21-7 lead with 3:20 left in the second quarter.
“Our slow start was caused by the fumbles we had in the first half,” said Priceville Coach Chris Foster. “It was tough on our defense early on when we get a stop, a fumble on special teams, and then have to send the defense right back out there.”
Priceville took control of the game, cutting the lead to 21-17 heading into halftime with a Wyatt Hurt 14-yard touchdown pass to Gabe Kennedy and a JJ Vallejo 32-yard field goal – set up by a Wilson turnover – as time expired.
The tide had turned, opening the door for Priceville’s 45-27 victory.
Priceville started the second half by giving the ball back to Wilson with a third turnover, but the Bulldog defense stopped the Warriors and forced a punt.
The Bulldogs would take their first lead of the game, 24-21 when Mason Cartee scored on a 13-yard run with 6:51 left in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs went 52 yards on six plays to take a 31-21 on their next drive when Jerry Burton scored on a three-yard run.
Priceville continued to extend the lead in the fourth with two more scoring drives.
The first score was set up when the Bulldogs forced a Wilson turnover on downs. On the next play, Cartee broke a 53-yard run down the Warriors’ sideline to give Priceville a 38-21 lead.
William Baker intercepted a Warrior pass on their next drive to give the ball back to Priceville, and the Bulldogs quickly capitalized when Burton scored on a 41-yard run to extend the lead to 45-21.
Wilson scored on the last play of the game to make the final score.
“I thought it was an important win because things, for the most part, did not go our way in the first half,” said Foster. “The team responded well the second half to get the victory.”
Priceville had its best offensive game of the year thus far, finishing with 380 total yards. The Bulldogs ran for a season-high 316 yards, with more than 220 yards coming in the second half.
Burton finished with 142 yards and three touchdowns on 17 carries. Cartee added 73 yards and two touchdowns on four carries, while Xander Gaines rushed for 79 yards on eight carries.
Hurt completed four passes out of six attempts for 64 yards and a touchdown.
Priceville (3-1, 2-1) heads into this week’s non-region game at Danville (1-4, 0-3) looking for revenge following the Hawks’ 26-25 win this past season.
