MIDDLETOWN — Led by a spectacular performance by Lapel running back Tyler Dollar, the Bulldogs picked up their second win of the season 33-21 at Shenandoah Sept.2
Dollar exploded for 236 yards rushing and picked up four touchdowns in the winning effort.
However, the game really began in the second half after the Raiders held the Bulldogs to one TD in the first half with Lapel leading 6-0 after a Luke Alexander pass to Nick Witte set up Dollar for the run to the end zone.
“The second half, our O-line was great,” coach Tim Miller said. He praised lineman JJ Baxter, Keegan O’Connor, Karson Kisinger, Chandler Lowes and Matt Carpenter.
The Raider defense held Dollar to just 34 yards in the first half.
In the opening third quarter, Shenandoah’s kick was fumbled by the Bulldogs and recovered by the Raiders. Their first play sent Bob Ayres 38 yards to the end zone to score. After a blocked PAT, the score was tied 6-6.
Another Bulldog fumble set up the Raiders to take a 9-6 lead after a field goal, but Lapel began its charge when Dollar scores his second TD of the night and gave Lapel a 13-9 lead. During the third quarter, the lead changed four times, but the Dawgs end the third with a 19-15 lead.
Lapel scored twice in the fourth, while holding Shenandoah to just six points, and the Bulldogs clinched the win.
Alexander passed for 74 yards, and freshmen quarterback Devin Craig came in to pass for 59 yards and scored one of the Bulldog TDs. As a receiver, Witte had 124 yards on five catches and had one touchdown.
Evan Osenbaugh and Landon Brown added to the defensive effort with each snagging two interceptions.
“Our defense played very well” Miller said. Anthony Prater, Jaydon Rodriguez, Bruin White, Osenbaugh, Tyler Lutzand Carpenter were all noted for their contributions.
Dollar’s performance moved him to fourth in Indiana for rushing yards with 621 total
Up next, the Bulldogs travel to Indianapolis Lutheran Sept. 9 to face the 3-0 Saints. The Saints are ranked No. 2 in Class 1A and recently defeated 10th ranked in 3A Triton Central 54-41.
The Bulldog defense will face one of the top quarterbacks in the state, Jackson Willis. Willis has 953 yards passing and is No. 3 in the current rankings. His favorite target is Micah Mackay, who leads the Saints in receptions with 24 catches and 373 yards.
The Saints also have a ground game. Runningback Joe Davis is averaging more than 100 yards per game and has the bulk of Lutheran’s TDs with eight.
Kickoff at Lutheran is set for 7 p.m.