Bulldogs prevail in close affair

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By Brady Extin | The Times-Post

LAPEL — In a back-and-forth contest, Lapel snapped a three game losing streak by defeating Heritage 33-27.

Coming off of a game in which they scored only 18 points, the Bulldogs offense was ready to make a statement.

Two big plays in the first quarter allowed Lapel to jump out to a 12-0 lead. First, it was running back Tyler Dollar breaking off a 32-yard touchdown run, and later in the quarter freshman quarterback Devin Craig hit Nick Witte on a 77-yard strike.

That was the start of a big night for all three of them. Dollar continued his great season and totaled 151 yards and two touchdowns on the night.

Craig added 262 yards and two touchdowns through the air as well as a rushing touchdown. Witte caught seven passes for 120 yards and the one touchdown.

Heritage answered the early Lapel lead with a score of their own, but in the final minute of the first half, the Bulldogs punched in another score to lead 20-7 at the half.

Lapel was outpaced two touchdowns to three in the second half, but the early lead helped them hold onto the win.

Both teams traded blows in the third quarter but a Heritage score early in the fourth quarter cut the lead to just five.

On a night in which the offense was clicking, it was the defense stepping up to save the game.

On a long drive with just less than two minutes remaining, the Bulldogs defense made a stand near midfield, turning over Heritage on fourth down to close out the game.

On the defensive side of the ball, Bruin White paced the Bulldogs with 14 tackles and one sack, while Isaiah Priest and Evan Osenbaugh each added interceptions.

Now 3-3 with the win, Lapel will look to move above .500 on Friday when it faces off against Heritage Christian at home at 7 p.m.