Forsyth Central’s defense made a statement Friday night.
Two early sacks and a pass deflection by Keaton Summerlin helped the Bulldogs keep the Stone Mountain Pirates from gaining any offensive momentum, lifting Central to a 15-0 win at home.
Bulldogs’ coach Chris Bennett said his team’s defensive scheme shined throughout the game.
“Our coaches had a great game plan,” Bennett said. “The defense did an excellent [job], I can’t say enough about that.”
Things didn’t start quite as well on the other side of the ball, as Central’s offense stumbled out of the gates.
The Dawgs finally broke a scoreless tie at the 6:59 mark in the second quarter, when Ryan Snyder kicked a 20-yard field goal to put the home team ahead 3-0.
“We have to quit shooting ourselves in the foot [on offense],” Bennett said. “I think we shot all our toes off tonight. We have got to get better.”
Central’s defense continued to shine as David Esbeck intercepted a Stone Mountain pass at the Pirates’ 46-yard line with 1:47 remaining in the second quarter, preserving the Dawgs’ slim lead going into the half.
Central quarterback Dustin Canon padded the lead early in the third quarter, finding his way into the end zone on a 7-yard touchdown run. The point after was blocked by Stone Mountain’s Derrick Harris, keeping the Bulldogs’ lead at 9-0.
The Pirates tried to grab the momentum on the ensuing kickoff, breaking a 30-yard return out to the 48-yard-line.
But Stone Mountain quarterback Tyrell Moore failed to connect with his receivers, resulting in a three-and-out.
One of Moore’s passes later found its way into the hands of Summerlin for an interception, and Central made the most of the turnover when Philip Ray bounded into the end zone near the end of the third quarter to extend the Central lead to 15-0. Ray finished with 84 yards rushing on 13 carries.
The Bulldogs were unable to execute a two-point conversion, leaving them with a 15-0 advantage that the defense preserved till the buzzer.
“We’re going to try to get better at what we do,” Bennett said, looking ahead to next week’s game.
“Miller Grove is a great team, we’re just going to try to take care of ourselves.”
The Bulldogs are home again Friday when they'll face the Miller Grove Wolverines.