JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — On November 22nd, the Bolles Bulldogs (10-1) squared off against the Bradford Tornadoes (6-6) in the Class 4A Regional game. The Tornadoes received the ball off the opening kick but the Bulldogs recovered the ball to set the tone early for the contest.
Unlike Bolles previous game against South Walton, the Tornadoes defense did not allow for the Bulldogs to have a scoring clinic. Instead, the Bulldogs put on a kicking clinic, led by Freshman Kicker Matthew Berry (#46). Berry put the first points on the board for the Bulldogs in the first quarter, 3-0.
Sophomore Running Back, Kade Frew (#8) then ran the ball for 42 yards. He was the catalyst for senior Quarterback, Ben Netting (#12) to throw a 43-yard touchdown pass to junior Wide Receiver, Davis Ellis (#4). With the extra point made by Berry, the Bulldogs found themselves up 10-0 with 4:01 to play in the first quarter. They would carry that same lead into the second.
But the Tornadoes came alive in the second thanks to senior strong safety, Nathaniel Davis (#4). After intercepting Netting’s touchdown pass that was intended for senior Tight End, Simon Brackin (#10), Davis ran the ball all the way home to put the Tornadoes on the board, 10-6.
After multiple empty trips and flags being thrown at both sides, it came down to the final two seconds of the half. Berry’s number was called again, kicking for another three points. The 15 yd kick was good and helped the Bulldogs go into the half with a 13-6 lead.
The third quarter was not friendly to neither side as either team scored. But the fourth quarter was another chance for Berry to shine and he did. His number was called one final time at the 6:35 mark and he rose to the occasion. Berry’s kick was good to help the Bulldogs kick past Bradford, 16-6.
Berry finished with 10 of the 16 points for the Bulldogs against Bradford. The Tornadoes and Coach Brian Tomlinson fell short, but turned a slow regular season start into a furious playoff finish. The Bulldogs, who are excited to be practicing on Thanksgiving, will face Cocoa on November 29th. Kick off is set for 7:30 pm at Bolles George H. Hodges Field.
Cocoa (8-3), defeated Astronaut 48-6 in round one, and South Sumpter 31-23 in round two of the FHSAA playoffs. Bolles will face Cocoa for the first time since falling to them 31-17 in the 2016 FHSAA State Championship. The last game for legendary Head Coach, Corky Rogers. New Head Coach Matt Toblin will look to enact revenge for the Bulldogs.
