LAPEL — While Lapel’s Tyler Dollar and Rylie Hudson headlined the show, the whole Bulldogs football team was the supporting cast, providing a balance across the field good enough to down the visiting Winchester Community Golden Falcons 49-19 in first-round sectional action on Friday.
The win advanced the Bulldogs to the Sectional 38 semifinals of the Class 2A State Tournament this week, where they will try for a different result against the Eastern Hancock Royals, a team they fell to 29-22 on Oct. 14, during the last regular season game.
“We did not have our best game (on Oct. 14), and there was a definite energy in practice (the following) week. I thought the kids competed very well all week in practice, and hopefully, we can build on it,” coach Tim Miller said.
On the Bulldogs’ first possession against the Falcons, Hudson broke away for a 41-yard touchdown. Hudson carried the ball three times for 90 yards and three TDs.
When the Falcons answered with a 71-yard kick return for a score, it showed signs the Dawgs might be in for a tough night.
Then Dollar found the end zone from five yards out to give Lapel momentum and a 14-6 lead.
Winchester answered, scored the touchdown but again missed the PAT, giving Lapel a 14-12 lead.
Four possessions. Four scores.
But it was in the second quarter that the Bulldogs went full on, scoring 28 points including a Pick Six by Jaydon Rodriguez during which he intercepted a pass by Winchester quarterback Adam Moore.
At halftime, Lapel led 35-12.
Dollar had 153 yards and three touchdowns. He didn’t play most of the second half.
“We all came together and brought the energy,” Dollar said. “The past couple of weeks, we came out flat. We hope to keep that momentum going. Rylie really helped with that tonight.”
“We’ve been pretty banged up for a lot of weeks, and we’ve got a lot of pieces back tonight,” Miller said. “So, hopefully it helps us. You’ve got to be ready to play this time of year.”
Getting players back in the lineup is key for Dollar as well.
“It’s going to make a big difference,” Dollar said. “We have a lot of people who play JV, too, that really goes unnoticed, but it does help having them there. We’re getting the energy at the right time.”
Halfway through the third quarter, Hudson scored giving the Bulldogs their 49-12 lead and a running clock for the rest of the game. Several Lapel starters sat out the remaining minutes.
With the exception of the kick return for a TD, the Lapel defense held Winchester to short yardage. Luke Sundheimer had an interception, while Bruin White put the pressure on Moore, which resulted in a sack for White.
Winchester scored its final TD in the fourth quarter.
In round 2, Lapel will face the Royals on their home field.
In their earlier matchup, the Bulldogs were without the services of Hudson and Dollar had only 35 yards rushing in his half of play. But Freshman quarterback Devin Craig threw for 228 yards.
Kickoff in is set for 7 p.m. in Charlottesville.
