The Stratford Bulldogs started the season with a home win last Friday, beating the district 2A-4 Coalgate Wildcats 42-6. The Bulldogs moved the ball well against the Wildcat defense, racking up 345 yards of total offense with 243 of it on the ground rushing.
The offense was able to spread the ball around very well all night. The Bulldogs’ rushing leaders were Hunter Morton, with nine carries for 64 yards; Nolan Hall, with eight carries for 58 yards and one touchdown; Davis Arriaga, with nine carries for 57 yards and one touchdown; and Walker Chandler, with five carries for 33 yards and one touchdown. Braxton Bear had three carries for 10 yards, Lincoln Hall had five carries for 6 yards, Josiah Lester had three carries for 6 yards, Skylar Joslin had two carries for 5 yards, Jase Fulks had two carries for 4 yards.
Bulldog quarterback Nolan Hall was pretty accurate through the air all night also. Hall passed eight times completing five passes for 102 yards and three touchdowns. The Bulldog receivers were Sean Harian with two catches for 37 yards and one touchdown, Morton with one catch for 29 yards and a touchdown, Arriaga with one catch for 23 yards and a touchdown, and Chandler with one catch for 13 yards.
Stratford’s defense held Coalgate to just five first downs and 102 yards of total offense. Chandler led the team in tackles with six. Aaron Carter had five tackles, Blake English had four tackles and Joslin had four tackles and an interception.
Overall, it was a good start to the season, according to Stratford’s coach Michael Blackburn.
“We have a long way to go, but it was a very good first game,” Blackburn said.
Both teams showed some first game sluggishness, and numerous penalties were called on both sides. Coalgate was penalized 11 times for 90 yards and Stratford had 11 calls for 110 yards. Both teams will need to play a penalty free game this week as Coalgate hosts District 2A-6 Antlers on September 9. Antlers is looking to rebound after their loss to district 2A-7 Okmulgee 20-30 last week.
The Bulldogs play at home again Friday against district A-6 Allen. Allen is riding high after their 47-30 win at Elmore City-Pernell last week. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
