LAPEL — Week after week, the Lapel defense has been spot on, putting pressure on its opponents. Despite the defensive effort on Sept. 20, the Bulldogs fell at Cardinal Ritter 21-13.

Josiah Scott and Brandon Wood were credited with sacks of the Raider quarterback. Jarod Roundtree and Parker Allman both recovered fumbles, while Allman blocked a Raider punt.

A mishandled Ritter punt in the fourth quarter, resulting in no yardage, set up the Bulldogs’ first score beginning on the Raider 30-yard line. A pass from Bulldog Cole Alexander to Noah Frazier put Lapel inside the 15-yard line, and Alexander rushed to the end zone to put the Bulldogs on the board, which made for Alexander’s fifth rushing TD for the season.

Scott rushed for another score with just under a minute to play in the game.

Alexander passed for 161 yards. Charlie Prough had 90 yards receiving.

The Bulldogs will spend another week working to align both the offense and defense.

Coach Tim Miller said he has been pleased with the consistency of the defense and special teams, but has said getting the offense to where it needs to be is a job for the coaches.

A trip to Rushville on Friday will pit the defense against a freshman quarterback and a team coming off its first win of the season. The Lions defeated Connersville in overtime 40-34 last week. Starting quarterback Austin Vance had just 11 yards passing, but in five games, Vance has averaged 70 yards per game and thrown three touchdown passes while rushing for four TDs.

With four games remaining in the regular season, the Bulldogs (3-2) still have a few tough opponents remaining on their schedule.

On the road Oct. 4, Lapel will take on Heritage Christian, which has been ranked in the top 10 of Class 2A all season. After playing host to Jay County on Oct. 11, Lapel will face a formidable Eastern Hancock team at home on Oct. 18.