Jacksonville Fl- In a highly anticipated matchup, the Bolles Bulldogs faced the Trinity Christian Conquerors, looking to rebound after last week’s tough loss against Raines. Determined to make a statement, the Bulldogs wasted no time setting the tone.
Trinity Christian and Bolles are ready for kickoff! Bolles receiving the ball first @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/WkZkaYm2Ds
— Asia 📸✨ (@amaye_) August 30, 2024
On their first drive, quarterback Ethan Drumm delivered a perfect strike to wide receiver Emmett Grzebin, who caught the pass in stride and ran into the end zone, giving Bolles an early 7-0 lead.
The Bulldogs continued to push the tempo in the second quarter, with Emett Grzebin adding a strong run up the sidelines that put the offense in good position to extend their lead. Despite the pressure from Bolles, Trinity Christian’s defense remained resilient.
Bolles Emmett Grzebin with a good run to start the 2nd quarter! Bolles still lead 7-0 @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/9Z0HYiTV17
— Asia 📸✨ (@amaye_) August 30, 2024
Senior leader Nehemiah Williams made several key defensive stops, including a crucial tackle-for-loss that prevented Bolles from converting on third down. These efforts kept the Conquerors within striking distance and prevented the Bulldogs from running away with the game early. At halftime, the Bulldogs held a 10-0 advantage, but the Conquerors still had a fighting chance.
The third quarter saw Bolles’ defense stepping up in a major way. Santana Starks, one of the standout defenders of the night, made a highlight-reel interception, leaping over a receiver to snatch the ball from mid-air.
This defensive play energized the Bulldogs’ sideline and gave their offense another opportunity to extend their lead. Bolles capitalized quickly, as Ethan Drumm connected with wide receiver Corbyn Fordham on a well-executed corner pass, bringing the score to 17-0.
Despite their efforts, Trinity Christian struggled to find any offensive rhythm, as Bolles’ defense continued to dominate the line of scrimmage. The Conquerors were unable to establish their passing game being disrupted by Bolles’ pass rush.
CJ Ennis added to the defensive showcase when he blocked a punt late in the third quarter. The loose ball was scooped up by Simeon Caldwell, who returned it for a 25-yard touchdown, pushing the Bulldogs’ lead to 24-0.
Trinity Christian finally broke through late in the third quarter when quarterback Hicks Zarah powered into the end zone with a tough 3-yard rushing touchdown, trimming the Bulldogs’ lead to 24-7. However, Bolles wasted no time in responding.
On the very next drive, Drumm launched a deep pass to Naeem “Tha Dream” Burroughs, who raced past the secondary for a stunning 62-yard touchdown. This score essentially sealed the game, as Bolles extended their lead to 31-7.
Trinity found some rhythm with QB draw to get their first touchdown of the game! But Bolles answers right back with a deep pass to Naeem Burroughs! Bolles lead 31-7 to end the third quarter @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/OV6QVdJxfw
— Asia 📸✨ (@amaye_) August 31, 2024
In the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs’ defense maintained their grip on the game, shutting down any attempts by Trinity Christian to mount a comeback. Despite some efforts by the Conquerors to move the ball, Bolles held firm and denied them any additional points. As the clock wound down, Bolles walked away with a commanding 41-7 victory, showing clear improvement from their previous performance.
Bolles head coach Matt Tomlin emphasized the importance of practice in the team’s success, noting that the Bulldogs had focused on being better than they were last week. The Bulldogs focused to improve all around, and this game showed that their preparation paid off.
For Trinity Christian, the loss highlighted some areas in need of development, particularly on the offensive side of the ball. The Conquerors are in a rebuilding phase, but remained optimistic about the young team’s potential. This is a learning process for the Conquerors with continuous focus on improvement to match the defense’s intensity with better offensive execution.
At the end of the game Bolles Head Coach Matt Toblin received the Coach of the week on behalf of the Jaguars Foundation @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/Qfm2Fmld0n
— Asia 📸✨ (@amaye_) August 31, 2024
Looking ahead, Trinity Christian (1-1) will face another challenging test on the road against the undefeated Raines Vikings (2-0), a matchup that will require improved offensive play. Meanwhile, Bolles (1-1) will look to continue their upward trajectory as they prepare for another tough opponent against the undefeated Saint Augustine Yellow Jackets (2-0).
