Great Bridge High School erased a 16-point second-half deficit to get their first win of the season, ruining Homecoming night at King’s Fork High School.

The Bulldogs are now 2-3 on the season after the 51-48 loss.

It was one of the more unusual games of the season. King’s Fork got off to a slow start, and Great Bridge capitalized on some Bulldogs turnovers, giving them good field position to work with. Tied at 48 at the end of regulation, the teams went into overtime, and the visitors picked up a field goal to win.

“We beat ourselves,” coach Scottie Littles said. “I didn’t say anything magical to them; I told them that they needed just to pick it up, and eventually they did.”

The loss is especially disappointing for the Bulldogs, because it came against a Great Bridge team that was winless before Friday. Also, Littles had stressed last week how important it was to win homecoming weekend.

“The kids really wanted that game,” Littles said. “I am proud of them. They worked hard. Of course, there were plays we felt we left on the field. Defensively we have to do a better job containing the run.”

King’s Fork was down 20-7 at one point, before mounting its own comeback.

Offensively the Bulldogs were led by Darran Butts, who had 235 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. Justin German threw for 197 yards and added 100 yards rushing, on five total touchdowns.

Defensively T.J Hart was active again, recording two interceptions, which gives him a total of eight through five games this year.

“Rome wasn’t built in one day,” Littles said. “My guys are still learning (and) they are still getting better. I have a young team, and games like these are only going to make them better.”

Littles said he returned only one starter from last year, so most of his team is gaining experience each week. He starts freshmen on the defensive end at cornerback and nose guard.

“We are going to continue to take this one game at a time,” Littles said. “We are changing the culture here. We are two to three plays from getting over the hump.”

The sooner the Bulldogs put it together, he said, the harder they will be to beat.

King’s Fork will have to quickly regroup, as the Bulldogs take on a red-hot Lakeland High School team at 7 p.m. on Friday at KFHS.

 

Great Bridge    10        10        6          22        3 (OT) – 51

King’s Fork     7          14        20        7          0 (OT) – 48