Two dominant backs in Thomas Benting and Enrique Hernandez are getting ready to go toe-to-toe. After each having a week off, the Le Grand Bulldogs and the Calaveras Red Hawks will shake off the cobwebs and hit the field against one another at 7:00 p.m. on the 14th. Le Grand has given up an average of 26.6 points per game this season, but Friday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Le Grand is headed into the contest out to prove that what happened against Mariposa County on Friday (when they were outscored in every quarter) was just a minor bump in the road. The Bulldogs came up short against the Grizzlies, falling 56-34. The Bulldogs were in a tough position after the first half, with the score already sitting at 34-14.
The match pitted two dominant backs against one another in Benting and Rusty Bull. Bull had a great game and rushed for 330 yards and four scores on only ten carries. Meanwhile, Benting was balling out in the loss, rushing for 124 yards and one TD, while also picking up 32 receiving yards.
Meanwhile, Calaveras had already won six in a row (a stretch where they outscored their opponents by an average of 31 points) and they went ahead and made it seven on Friday. They blew past the Bullfrogs, posting a 55-6 victory. The result was nothing new for the Red Hawks, who have now won six matchups by 28 points or more so far this season.
Le Grand better keep an eye on Ryan Clifton. He was instrumental in Calaveras' win, rushing for 104 yards and three touchdowns on only five carries. Owen Shahan was another key player, rushing for 54 yards and a pair of scores.
Calaveras was unstoppable on the ground and finished the game with 361 rushing yards. That strong performance was nothing new for the team: they've now rushed for at least 234 rushing yards in three consecutive games.
Special teams was a major factor in the game for Calaveras, racking up 13 points in total. The biggest highlight from special teams (and perhaps the team as a whole) came courtesy of Clifton, who ran a punt back for a touchdown.
Le Grand's defeat dropped their record down to 6-4. As for Calaveras, their record now sits at 8-2.
Friday's contest might be decided on the ground. Le Grand has been excellent on the ground this season, having averaged 169.8 rushing yards per game. However, it's not like Calaveras struggles in that department as they've been averaging 247.1 rushing yards. There's a good chance Friday's matchup turns into a tough fight on the ground. Come back here after the game to get an analysis of the match and other football content.
