Big plays, tough runs fuel Dawgs’ dominant 2-6A victory at ranked Cleveland 38-19
CLEVELAND — Big scoring plays and a big back to get the shorter-yardage touchdowns worked well for Bearden in a 38-19 Region 2-6A showdown win at state-ranked Cleveland Friday evening, Oct. 11.
The victory, improving the Dawgs overall record to 4-3, also upped their 2-6A record to 3-1, virtually assurming BHS of a first-round playoff home game.
Once again finding himself behind center in a big game, BHS senior quarterback Drew Parrott was 12-of-16 passing for 226 yards and two long touchdown tosses to receiver Deameion Leavell, a 67-yard scoring toss on the first Dawgs possession and a 61-yarder with 2:36 left in the third quarter. The junior had five receptions for 140 yards.
Torian Riggins, senior fullback, scored on a 4-yard run late in the first half and on a 5-yarder up the gut roughly one minute into the final quarter, the latter making it 31-19.
Junior receiver Tory Beaufort took on split duties: while making five catches for 69 yards, Beaufort also ran the ball four times for 110 yards and one long touchdown — filling in for injured star running back Jayzon Thompson in the second half.
His 18-yard run and 20-yard catch set up Riggins’ third-quarter score. Beaufort’s 79-yard scoring run right up the middle, with 7:12 to play in the game, essentially sealed the victory — coming one play after an interception at the Cleveland 21 killed a Blue Raiders scoring drive.
William Pendergrass nailed a 45-yard field goal in the first quarter, on top of all five of his extra-point tries.
Cleveland fell to 5-2 overall, 1-1 in region.
