Coach Ben Corley, his coaching staff and players have remained true to a simple but effective game plan: keep working and good things will eventually happen.
The game plan paid off last Friday as the the Winder-Barrow High School football team posted its first victory of 2009 with a 7-0 home win against Heritage. The Bulldoggs cut down on the turnovers which had plagued them in recent weeks and also had a solid defensive performance allowing just 150 yards of offense by the Patriots.
All in all, a great night for the home team.
“It’s always fun when you end up on the right side of a game like that,” Corley said. “The players have put so much work in that it was gratifying to see it pay off with a win.”
Strong special teams also played a part in the win as Jonah Huggins blocked a Heritage field goal attempt late in the third quarter. The football was downed at the WBHS 9-yard line setting up the lone score of the night.
Quarterback Christian Davila connected with Trent Demerritte on a 91-yard strike for the lead as well as a school record play. The Bulldogg defense made the score hold up although it took a last-minute interception from Jonathan Hall to seal the deal.
A relieved Corley could now enjoy the first win of 2009 for his team.
“When you keep battling and fighting then good things are bound to happen,” the WBHS coach said. “We just kept our nose to the grindstone and came through with a big effort.”
The defensive effort was something which also impressed the head coach.
“We’ve had some big numbers put up against us, but we had been turning the football over and putting our defense in bad spots,” Corley said. “By not doing that, our defense showed what they are capable of doing.”
The team had turned the football over 10 times in the first two games but only gave it up once last Friday in the win.
Neither team posted impressive offensive numbers. Davila was 11-of-25 for 153 yards but the Bulldoggs only had five first downs the entire contest.
Heritage wasn’t succesful either as the WBHS defense kept the Patriot option attack in check. The yellow flag was also a common sight in the contest as Heritage was called for 12 penalties with the Bulldoggs being whistled for eight infractions.
WBHS will look to continue its winning momentum this Friday when region foe Habersham Central visits W. Clair Harris Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.
