LAPEL — The Lapel Bulldogs go into Friday’s football sectional following two wins to close the regular season, the latter being a 27-12 road win at Eastern Hancock.
By the end of the first quarter against the Royals, the Bulldogs had blown the game wide open with three touchdowns and ending the period with a 20-0 lead.
Cole Alexander threw for three touchdowns, hitting Charlie Prough twice for scores and Connor Gill once. Alexander also rushed for one TD of his own. He was 7-15 for 142 yards.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]Click here to purchase photos from this gallery
Alexander is averaging more than 200 yards per game this season and two of his targets, Gill and Justin Engle, are averaging 75 and 85 yards per game, respectively.
Add Prough and a passel of receivers to the mix, and the Bulldogs are a force in the air.
On the ground, with Sparky Manis, Josiah Scott and Alexander, Lapel has options to run the ball as well.
The Bulldogs also have Manis, Wyatt Allen, Drew Darlington, Tanner Mroz and Drew Reed to lead the defensive drive.
Prough topped all receivers during the Eastern Hancock game, with 97 yards.
Lapel will play host to Frankton in the sectional opener Friday.
In the August meeting between the two, the Bulldogs left the Eagles’ field with a 35-20 win.
Since that time, Frankton finished the regular season at 3-6 and has lost its past four games, including last week’s defeat by Madison-Grant 47-28.
With a season of experience behind both teams, Friday’s game may be a different encounter.
“For the first time this season, we have everyone healthy,” coach Tim Miller said. “We will be at full strength Friday.”
While anything can happen in the postseason, the Bulldogs are prepared, Miller said.
“It’s tournament time, and if you lose your season is done. This is very good motivation for them. Our goal is to always compete for a sectional championship, and drawing a rival helps us focus even more,” Miller said. “Our players shouldn’t have any problem focusing this week.”
The winner of Friday’s game will face Northeastern or Winchester Community in the sectional semifinal on Oct. 26.
The Bulldogs and the Eagles meet on the field in Lapel at 7 p.m.
