It was not the McAdams Bulldogs’ night, Friday, on the road against Leake County High School.
The 28-6 final score, in favor of the Gators, however, is misleading as numbers can often be.
There is a backstory but no excuses.
“When we got back to the bus I talked to (the team),” McAdams Head Coach Jim Risen said. “We’ve got to be able to build, and be able to build ourselves better when things don’t go our way – that’s just part of life.”
Things were not going the Bulldogs’ way long before kickoff. Standout lineman, senior Kendrion Boatman, did not dress because of an off-the-field injury he sustained on Thursday.
Immediately on the field, the Bulldogs were backpedaling. The offense committed four false starts during its first possession. Those were followed by a couple more on their second.
“We’ve got to do a better job of cleaning up mistakes,” Risen said.
There was a good-sized crowd that followed McAdams to Walnut Grove for the game. There seemed to be a sense of anticipation, a waiting for the 2-0 Bulldogs to do their thing.
It never quite happened.
Following the false starts, McAdams then lost the ball on a high snap to their punter. The ball was recovered on the Bulldogs’ 20-yard-line. Leake County scored on a quarterback-keeper with just over two minutes remaining in the first.
Somewhat fittingly for the off-night game played in a drizzle, McAdams closed out the first with another false start.
The second quarter was scoreless and included a turnover on downs when the Gators stopped McAdams on a fourth down at the two-yard-line. The teams went into the half 8-0.
The beginning of the second half seemed to signal that the visitors’ frustration was over, when Kristopher Brown scored on a long run on the second-half’s first play.
However, the Gators pressed on with their ground game. Another touchdown and two-point conversion with 4:15 remaining in the third put Leake County up 16-6.
The strong running by Leake County and the Bulldogs’ inability to find their stride seemed to take its toll, and two more fourth-quarter touchdowns made the final score 28-6.
Coach Risen and his team met early Monday morning for a practice, undeterred, looking forward.
“We’ve got Noxapater next, which is a non-district game,” Risen said. “Then we begin district play and that’s what gets you to the playoffs. It’s what gets you to the next level and to your second season.”
McAdams plays Noxapater at home on Friday, at 7 p.m.
