For the 2nd time in Coach Curtis's tenure, the Bulldogs entered the playoffs as a 4 seed and knocked off a 1 seed in the opening round of the playoffs.  The celebrated Central Clay offense that averaged 40 points a game in the regular season was shutout and held under 200 yards of offense. UMS-Wright's defense racked up 3 sacks, 6 tackles for loss and forced 2 turnovers in a game that saw the Bulldogs punt 10 times.  The offense only needed one touchdown to win the game, coming after Perry Hand forced a fumble in Central Clay territory during the 2nd quarter.  
    UMS-Wright advances to play at Headland (Region 2 - #3) this Friday in the 2nd round of the playoffs.  5A Region 1 again proved it's strength sweeping Region 4 as all four teams advanced to the 2nd round.  Here's a look at the full playoff picture for the South side of the 5A bracket:
 

  



















































Region 1 Playoff Results
 
Gulf Shores 48 - Beauregard 7
 
Faith Academy 31 - Elmore County 7
 
B. C. Rain 34 - Valley 22
 
UMS-Wright 7 - Central Clay County 0


 
Region 1 Matchups for Round 2
 
Gulf Shores vs Charles Henderson
 
Faith Academy at Eufaula
 
B. C. Rain vs Demopolis
 
UMS-Wright at Headland





Game Recap


1st Quarter

    The Bulldogs won the coin flip and elected to receive the ball.  Starting at their own 30 yard line, UMS-Wright had a quick 3 and out and punted the ball.  On Central Clay's first snap, Perry Hand set the tone for the night with a 4 yard tackle for loss.  A 32 yard run on 2nd down gave the Volunteers a first down, but another tackle for loss from McNeil Mostellar and a hoding penalty would kill the drive. Central Clay punted and the Bulldogs started their drive at the -33 yard line.
    After picking up 9 yards and facing a 4th & 1, UMS-Wright failed to convert on a QB sneak.  The Volunteers took over at the Bulldog 42 and picked up a first down on a 10 yard run.  Penalties on both teams lead to a 4th & 3, but Joe Lott snuffed it out with a tackle behind the line of scrimmage.
    The Bulldog offense picked up 8 yards on 2 runs, but couldn't convert 3rd and short and punted it away. Central Clay gained 8 yards on 2 downs as the quarter ended with no score.
 
End 1^st Quarter
 
UMS-Wright               0
Central Clay County   0




2^nd Quarter

    The Volunteers faced a 3rd and 2 to start the quarter.  Perry Hand and C. J. Stewart combined on a tackle to end the drive, and the Volunteers punted.  The Bulldog offense couldn't move the ball and punted after another 3 and out.  On the 1st and 10 play for Central Clay, Perry Hand met the running back in the backfield with a hard hit jarring the ball loose, and Mac McGinley recovered the fumble.
    After netting 0 yards on 2 plays, Joe Lott went deep to Thomas Portacci and the Volunteers were hit with a pass interference penalty. A penalty moved the Bulldogs behind the chains, but Lott scrambled left on 3rd and 20 and found Rowen McMahan on the sideline for a 21 yard gain.  Two plays later, William Taylor punched it in from 2 yards out to put the Bulldogs up 7-0.
    Central Clay moved the ball into Bulldog territory using their run game, but Joe Lott's interception on a 2nd and 6 pass snuffed out the Volunteer's momentum. Lott would connect with Camden Taylor for an 8 yard gain, but another 3rd and short stop by Central Clay forced a punt. Both defenses would force 3 and outs, then Central Clay moved the ball into Bulldog territory again before running out of time as the teams went into halftime.
 
Halftime
 
UMS-Wright               7
Central Clay County   0
 

3^rd Quarter

    The Volunteers started the half at their own 30 and could only manage 5 yards before punting.  The Bulldogs went 3 and out, punting it back to Central Clay.  Central Clay ripped off a 19 yard run, but Charlie Jeffery locked up a receiver on 3rd and 9 to force an incompletion and another punt.
Two more 3 and outs sent the game into the 4th quarter.     
           
End 3rd Quarter 
 
UMS-Wright               7
Central Clay County   0
 

4th Quarter

    The Bulldogs punted on the opening play of the quarter, pinning the Volunteers in their own end. A 3rd and 5 pass down the right sideline was overthrown, and Central Clay punted it back to UMS-Wright.  The Bulldogs picked up a first down on a completion from Lott to Camden Taylor, but couldn't move the chains again and punted it back.
A 13 yard run gave Central Clay a first down before Jeff Holston's sack on 3rd and 12 forced another Volunteer punt. A penalty on 2nd and 9 put the Bulldogs behind the chains and the drive ended with another punt.  With little time left on the clock, the Volunteers started their final drive with a 12 yard completion.  Caplyn Reed and Mac McGinley shared a sack on a 2nd and 5 play.  On 4th and 6 with their season on the line, Central Clay attempted a pass but Jeffery and Hand were in position to force the incompletion. The Bulldogs took a knee to end the game.
           
Final
 
UMS-Wright               7
Central Clay County   0
 
 
Plays of the Game
 
Defense: Perry Hand's forced fumble early in the 2nd quarter - recovered by Mac McGinley - gave the Bulldogs a short field that led to the only points of the game.
 
Offense: Joe Lott's 21 yard completion to Rowen McMahan on 3rd and 20 set up the 2 yard touchdown run by William Taylor in the 2nd quarter, providing the only points the Bulldogs would need to win the game.
 
Team Totals
 
Total Plays
UMS-W                      50
Central Clay County   59
 
Total Yards
 
UMS-W                      77
Central Clay County   185
 
Rushing Yards
 
UMS-W                      40
Central Clay County   155
 
Passing Yards
 
UMS-W                      37
Central Clay County   30
 
First Downs
 
UMS-W                      3
Central Clay County   9
 
Third Downs
 
UMS-W                      2-13  (15%)
Central Clay County   2-12  (17%)
 
Turnovers
 
UMS-W                      0
Central Clay County   2
 
Penalties         
 
UMS-W                      9 for 60 yards
Central Clay County   5 for 40 yards



Stat Leaders
 
Rushing
 
Jake Jay: 12 Carries - 23 yds 
Joe Lott: 12 Carries - 9 yds
William Taylor: 1 Carry - 2 yds - TD



Passing
Joe Lott: 4 for 14 - 37 yds
 
 
Receiving
Rowen McMahon: 1 reception - 21 yds
Camden Taylor: 1 reception - 8 yds
Denton Elliott: 1 reception - 8 yds



Defense
Caplyn Reed: 16 tackles - Sack - TFL
Jeff Holston: 14 tackles - Sack - TFL
Perry Hand: 12 tackles - 2 TFL - Forced Fumble
James Scott: 8 tackles - TFL
Mac McGinley: 7 tackles - Sack - TFL - Fumble Recovered
William Tanner: 12 tackles
McNeil Mostellar: 8 tackles
 
 
Special Teams
Kingston Phan: 1 for 1 PAT
William Taylor: 10 punts - 35 yd Average - 1 inside 20



 
From the Coaches
 
Coach Dean on the Offense: 
            It was a great win for UMS-Wright Friday night on the road. Central Clay was undefeated, and had the number 1 ranked Defense in 5A.  We knew it was going to be a challenge, and it was. Yards were tough to come by, but we were able to get a score in the second quarter, and then held on. Rowen McMahan once again had a huge catch to set up our only score. William Taylor punched in the dive from the 1 yard line. We still need to work on finishing blocks, and we are going to work hard this week with the ball carriers hitting the hole downhill. We have another challenge this week on another long road trip. We must have another great week of preparation. 




Coach Koziol on the Defense:
            I was really proud of how the defense played Friday night. It surely wasn't perfect from an execution standpoint, but our effort and energy was really fun to watch. Central Clay was averaging 40 points a game and to hold them scoreless on their home field was truly remarkable. They do so much with their formations trying to get people misaligned, but our guys handled all of them very well and played with relentless effort.
            We had several guys play really well. Our D-linemen Mac McGinley, Luke Lambert and C. J. Stewart were undersized again, but they continued to fight and play hard all night. Linebackers Jeff Holston, Caplyn Reed and Perry Hand handled all the checks and fit the run game just as they are coached.  McNeil Mostellar, Thomas Arendall and William Tanner played with great leverage and set the edge of the defense. James Scott probably had his best game of the season and Charlie Jeffery and Joe Lott did well in the secondary.
            The 2 turnovers were big plays for us because it gave us field position and Joe's interception killed a drive for them.  We were really good on 3rd downs making stops, getting off the field, and getting the ball back to our offense.
            We've had a lot of big wins around here, but this one ranks up right near the top because nobody expected that we could get it done. To travel 4 hours and beat them at their place makes it very special.
                       
             
Next Up:
The Bulldogs travel to Headland, AL for their second round playoff game against the 9-2 Headland Rams - Friday 7:00 PM