Bowling Green remains undefeated

The Bowling Green Buccaneers hosted the Warriors of Clinton Christian Academy last Friday while looking to remain undefeated on the season. Bowling Green has won their first four games of the 2019 season.

Clinton Christian Academy opened the contest by attempting an onside kick that the Buccaneers recovered at their own 45 yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, running back Wayne Ray took the handoff and ran around left end for a 55 yard touchdown run. Rashaan Duke's pass to Steven Cooper was complete for the 2 point conversion and the Bucs held an early 8-0 lead.

The Clinton offense moved into Bowling Green territory when nose guard Emmanuel Powell recovered a Warriors fumble at the BGS 29 yard line. Duke followed by completed passes to Ray and Steven Cooper for 9 yards each before a pair of completions to Cade Knight for 15 yards each. On second down at the Warriors 36 yard line, Duke found Cooper in the end zone to complete the 11 play drive. Duke hit Knight on a slant for the two point conversion and the Bucs led 16-0.

With Clinton facing a third and long from the their own 17 yard line, the Warriors dialed up a hook and ladder play that looked like it would end in a touchdown. Cam Brock, Hunter Wilkinson, Matthew Downs and Jackson Dobraska never gave up on the play and finally made the tackle at the BGS 1 yard line. A run up the middle was stuffed on first down before the Warriors were stopped for a loss at the 5 yard line on second down. The Buccaneers forced a Warriors ballcarrier out of bounds at the 11 yard line for another loss. An incomplete pass on fourth down gave the ball back to the Bucs after the goal line stand.

On the first play after holding the Warriors out of the end zone, Duke ran up the middle for a 28 yard gain. Ray ran for 7 yards before following with 27 more. Duke connected with Knight two plays later for a 31 yard touchdown pass to complete the 5 play, 89 yard drive. The try for two was unsuccessful and the Bucs led 22-0 early in the second quarter.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Buccaneers cover team tackled the Warriors return man at the CCA 5 yard line. Powell recovered his second fumble on the next play to give the Bucs great field position. Three plays later, Duke found Jekorvian Long for another Buccaneers touchdown. Another try for two failed but the Bucs led 28-0.

The Buccaneers defense forced another Clinton punt and the offense took over at the CCA 35. Three plays later, Duke connected with Long for a 25 yard gain to the Warriors 2 yard line. Ray scored on the next play to put Bowling Green ahead 34-0. Cooper caught the 2 point conversion and the Bucs took a 36-0 lead at the half.

The game clock would run without stopping in the second half due to Bowling Green having a lead of 35 points or more. The Warriors finally got on the scoreboard on their opening possession of the second half. A successful 2 point conversion made the score 36-8.

On the first play of the fourth quarter, Powell was able to cause a fumble that was recovered by Bowling Green's Denzel Evans. Evans raced 38 yards for the final touchdown of the game. Cooper's extra point kick was good and the Bucs would come away with a 44-8 win over Clinton Christian Academy.

Duke was 10 of 18 passing for 166 yards and 3 touchdowns while rushing 5 times for 39 yards. Ray carried 7 times for 96 yards and 2 touchdowns. Knight had 3 catches for 61 yards and a touchdown, Long had 4 catches for 51 yards and a score while Cooper caught 2 passes for 45 yards and 1 touchdown.

IN PHOTO ABOVE, Cade Knight runs for a Bowling Green touchdown. PHOTO BY COURTNEY SCHILLING