In a heavyweight battle in Class 1A Region 1, the Sweet Water Bulldogs used three straight scores in the second half to surge ahead of the Marengo Panthers to collect a 33-22 road victory on Sept. 9.

Both teams used big plays to score early, but the Bulldogs (2-1, 2-0 1A R1) were able to lean on a heavy run game, piling up 289 rushing yards compared to 40 yards for Marengo (2-1, 1-1 1A R1), in the victory.

In all, Sweet Water compiled 423 yards of total offense and held the Panthers to 165 yards.

The Bulldogs drew first blood in the contest when Jonah Smith connected with Will Huckabee on a 4th and long in the back of the endzone for a 23-yard score.

MHS immediately responded when Quindaris Ausborne took the ensuing kickoff 86-yards for a score. Cordarius Pritchett connected with Alphonzo Lewis, Jr. on a lob to the corner of the endzone for a two-point conversion to give the Panthers an 8-7 lead in the opening quarter.

Marnego struck again midway through the second quarter, capping a long drive with Ausborne throwing to Pritchett on a wide receiver reverse pass for an 18-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 14-7.

With just over five minutes remaining in the half, Jonah Smith hooked up with Trent Sams on a slant route that went the distance to the tune of a 78-yard touchdown that lead to a 14-14 halftime score.

For more details on Friday night’s games, see the Saturday, Sept. 10, print edition of the Demopolis Times.