LAPEL — Going into Friday’s game with Adams Central, everyone knew one team would leave with its first loss of the season.
For the Bulldogs, the No. 2-ranked Jets proved to be true to their ranking, handing Lapel (2-1) a 49-21 loss for the Bulldog home opener.
Adams Central, a Class 1A team, is a perennial top 10 team, but the Bulldogs also showed they have skills that will make them a force this season.
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Junior Brandon Wood recovered the Jets’ kickoff return fumble to open the game, giving Lapel the ball deep in its territory, but a Lapel flag and sack of junior quarterback Cole Alexander led to Adams Central taking over on downs.
The back and forth continued as the Jets fumbled again, this time recovered by Lapel senior Drew Reed, but an Alexander interception put Adams Central on the board, as Jet Logan Macklin ran the ball for 65 yards and a first- quarter 7-0 lead.
Alexander hit junior Charlie Prough for a 43-yard touchdown to even the score, but two quick scores by the Jets made it a 21-7 game.
The momentum turned in Adams Central’s favor. Lapel scored another touchdown with little time left in the first half, and it looked like it would be a 21-14 halftime score.
However, in the final seconds of the half, the Jets got into the end zone to make it 28-14.
Then, in the opening minute of the second half, the Bulldogs fumbled the kickoff, giving Adams Central the ball on the Lapel 21-yard line.
Jets quarterback Parker Bates with the keeper pushed through the line for another Jet touchdown. With the PAT, Adams Central was up 35-14.
“We had our chances to keep this game going into the fourth quarter to be decided then, but we just had too many bad plays,” Lapel coach Tim Miller said.
With 6:18 left in the game, Adams Central was up 49-14 when Bulldog Alexander made a 10-yard run for the final score of the game.
Despite the loss, the Bulldogs had some impressive numbers. Alexander put up 304 yards passing, completing 21 of 34. With 28 yards rushing, Alexander totaled 332 yards for the game. Senior Justin Engle had 122 yards receiving and one touchdown, while Prough tallied 102 yards and a TD.
“I thought our kids played hard all night,” Miller said. “I think it’s on us. We have to coach them better.”
Miller said the Bulldogs have plenty of talent and are just a step away from where they should be.
“Despite the negative and the score, there are things we’re starting to do better.”
Senior Sparky Manis led the defensive attack with five solo tackles and nine assists for 14 total. Reed and sophomores Tanner Mroz and Drew Darlington each had six solo takedowns for the game.
“If the kids’ attitudes are good, we’ll find a way to build off of it,” Miller said.
The Bulldogs head to Shenandoah Friday to take on the 2-1 Raiders.