Bulldogs get win over Milano on the road

The Marlin Bulldogs (1-1) grabbed their first win of the year with a 21-0 road win at Milano on Friday night.

A stout Bulldog defense used wet field conditions and several Eagle injuries to their advantage to get the shutout.

Marlin scored on its first possession of the game when Derion Guillette found Tydae Peel for a seven -yard touchdown catch.  Chavez’s extra point kick put the Bulldogs up 7-0 with 10:45 left in the first quarter.

Milano’s defense made a goal line stand against the Bulldogs late in the second quarter, getting the ball back on their own one yard line.  Marlin’s defense gave chase to Eagle quarterback Ethen Knight.

David Haynes would tackle Knight in his own end zone, giving the Bulldogs a safety and the ball back with 4:50 left in the half.  Marlin would take that 9-0 lead into the break.

Both teams would utilize their run games to eat up the clock in the third quarter.  The squads also traded several turnovers in the second half, but the Bulldogs were the only ones to capitalize on them.

When Milano tried to use its passing game to move the ball late in the fourth quarter, Marlin’s defense shut it down two picks off two separate Eagle quarterbacks. (Milano had several injuries at key positions in the second half).

Guillette picked off a pass and ran it back 30 yards for a touchdown.  The Eagles’ Josh Millar blocked it and almost ran it back, but was stopped short by the Bulldogs. That left Marlin up 15-0 with 2:32 left in the contest.

Then Marlin’s Tra Johnson snagged another Milano pass and sped back 60 yards for another score.  The PAT kick was no good, but the Bulldogs had secured the 21-0 victory with one minute to go in the game.

Marlin garnered 249 yard of total offense in the contest, 218 on the ground and 31 in the air.  The Bulldogs’ defense held Milano to just 157 yards of total offense, with no passing yards.

Ty Harris led the Bulldogs in rushing, with 15 carries for 67 yards.  Haynes added 59 yards on 13 rushes and Ja’Marien Womack added had 45 yards on six touches.  Guillette collected 41 yards on 14 rushes.  Tra Butler garnered four yards on two runs and Peel had two yards on a carry.

Guillette completed three of 17 pass attempts for 31 yards with one interception.

Butler caught one pass for 18 yards and Peel the other two passes for 13 yards total.

Marlin is set to host Valley Mills on Friday with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m.

For the first time in Friday Night Lights history, the Game of the Week will be played at Legion Stadium.

The Marlin Bulldogs host the Valley Mills Eagles on Friday in 6 Sports’ Week 3 Friday Night Lights Game of the Week.

Sports reporter Niki Lattarulo will be live with Marlin coach David Haynes Jr. during 6 News at 6 p.m. and again with the winning team during Friday Night Lights, which begins during 6 News at 10 p.m..