The powerful Butler Bulldogs survived with a victory by dominating the fourth quarter for the second time in two seasons facing the Rocky River Ravens. This football game was closer than last year’s contest, however, the outcome had the same result with the Ravens giving up a lead in the fourth quarter.
The Ravens are now 2-3 on the season after winning their first two football games and not being able to finish on their home field. They could be 4-1 instead, they are on a three game losing streak and will be facing Myers Park on the road next Friday night.
The Bulldogs struck first when QB Christian Peters connected with Jaden Clark for the touchdown in their opening drive. The Ravens would get on the scoreboard with a 27 yard field goal late in the quarter by freshman kicker Alex Elzey to make the score 7-3 after one quarter of competition.
In the second quarter the Ravens showed domination with both excellent defensive and offensive play. Ravens QB Brent Jones would connect with speedster James Maye for a 73 yard touchdown play as Maye broke two tackles and galloped into the end zone giving Rock River a 9-7 lead.
After the kickoff on a third down and long the Bulldogs fumbled and the Ravens would recover on the Bulldog 46 yard line. On the next play James Maye on a reverse would turn on the jets and his after burners and outrun would be tacklers into the end zone giving the Ravens a 16-7 advantage.
Then a key play in the game with 5:31 remaining in the first half, Brent Jones would drop back for an apparent screen pass to Gabriel Linen and would throw the pass right into the hands of Bulldog defender Donovan Law who would return the interception for a 75 yard TD. The two point conversion would be successful making the score 16-15 at intermission.
In the third quarter after the kickoff return to their own 42 yard line, Gabriel Linen would find a seam and broke into the secondary down the visitors sideline and scamper into the end zone for a 64 yard TD extending the Ravens lead to 23-15.
With 6:00 minutes remaining in the quarter, on a fourth and 10 situation from the Butler 31 yard line, Jones pass to Gabriel Linen looked like a sure TD, however, he was hit by the defender before the ball arrived giving the Ravens an automatic first down from the 16 yard line. The next play, on a QB keeper Brent Jones would rumble into the end zone for a rushing TD giving the Ravens a comfortable 30-15 lead. Meanwhile, the Ravens defense continued to play well ending the third quarter up by 15 points.
Suddenly, in the fourth quarter the Bulldogs would put together a nice looking drive to score a touchdown and connect on their second two point conversion of the night making the score 30-23 with 9:00 minutes remaining.
The final and winning drive came with 3:34 remaining in the game when Butler would pound the ball across the goal line from one yard out making the score 30-29. The coaches decided to go for the win and the two point conversion. On the snap Peters would hand off to his halfback going off right tackle, however, he would hold up and threw a pass into the end zone connecting with a diving Peters who would make the catch for the Bulldogs third two point conversion of the football game giving them the win 31-30.
The Bulldogs defense stopped the Ravens and was able to take out Ravens QB Jones on a big hit. After the Ravens defense held, the offense took over with 1:01 remaining, backup QB Korey Hailey would connect on two pass plays, he would drop back from his own 38 yard line with 2.0 seconds on the clock and his final pass was batted down to end the game.
