Week 7: McPherson Bullpups Dominate Augusta, Win 32-0 in Road Shutout
October 22 2024
McPherson Bullpups Dominate Augusta, Win 32-0 in Road Shutout
Contact: gregloving@protonmail.com
McPherson Bullpups Dominate Augusta, Win 32-0 in Road Shutout
The McPherson Bullpups put on a dominant performance Friday night, shutting out the Augusta Orioles 32-0 on the road in a crucial late-season matchup. McPherson's balanced offense and relentless defense were too much for the Orioles to handle as the Bullpups improved their record to 4-3 on the season.
First Half: Slow Start, Strong Finish
The game began as a defensive struggle, with both teams unable to find much rhythm in the first quarter. McPherson’s defense, led by linebacker Catch Delaney and defensive end Chase Kane, continually disrupted Augusta’s offensive plays. The first quarter ended in a scoreless deadlock as both teams struggled to move the ball.
The Bullpups broke the tie early in the second quarter. After moving the ball deep into Augusta territory, senior running back Brock Richardson punched it in with a five-yard touchdown run, capping off a methodical drive. Jackson Hoover added the extra point, giving McPherson a 7-0 lead.
Later in the quarter, quarterback Carter Allen connected with wide receiver Ashton Malm on a perfectly executed 40-yard screen pass. Malm took advantage of excellent blocking and weaved through Augusta's defense for McPherson’s second touchdown of the night. Hoover’s extra point made it 14-0, and the Bullpups went into halftime firmly in control.
Third Quarter: Defense Holds Strong, Offense Adds to the Lead
The Bullpups continued to apply pressure in the third quarter. Augusta struggled to get past McPherson’s stout defensive front, anchored by Brody Seidel and Bishop Brown in the secondary. The Orioles found themselves pinned back repeatedly, unable to generate much offense.
McPherson’s offense added to their lead midway through the quarter. Another well-timed screen pass to Malm resulted in a 40-yard touchdown, marking Malm’s second score of the game. The extra point attempt, however, was missed, bringing the score to 20-0.
Fourth Quarter: Trick Play and Final Surge
McPherson opened the fourth quarter with a trick play. Allen threw a backward pass to Carter Bankston, who unleashed a 22-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Bishop Brown. Another missed extra point left the score at 26-0.
Augusta briefly showed signs of life on the ensuing kickoff with a good return by Hunter West. However, McPherson's defense, led by Delaney and Kane, continued to frustrate the Orioles’ offense. Augusta reached the red zone but was turned away by a combination of timely tackles and nearly intercepted passes from Seidel and Alec Harms.
The Bullpups capped off their dominant night with a final touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Brock Richardson took a screen pass 98 yards to the end zone, evading multiple defenders to put the game out of reach. The extra point attempt was missed, but the Bullpups had solidified their dominant lead at 32-0.
Defensive Shutout
The Bullpups’ defense was the standout of the game, keeping Augusta off the scoreboard for all four quarters. The defensive unit, featuring standout performances from Seidel, Kane, and Delaney, forced multiple turnovers and controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the night.
With the win, McPherson moves to 4-3 on the season and builds momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
Next Up:
The Bullpups will face a critical road test next week as they travel to take on rival Buhler (5-2), ranked #7 in 4A, in their final regular-season game. A win there will be crucial for playoff positioning.
Source: Ad Astra Radio