Football Recap: JJ Gulat's Big Game Can't Quite Lead Dixon over Richlands

Dixon dropped to 5-4 on Friday, ending the team's three-game streak of wins at home. They received a blow as they fell 41-26 to the Richlands Wildcats. The Bulldogs were not able to make up for their loss to the Wildcats from their previous meeting back in November of 2024.

JJ Gulat

Rushing Yards

10/24/25 vs Richlands	240
10/17/25 @ Northside - Jacksonville	235
10/10/25 @ Havelock	219
10/03/25 vs Swansboro	343
09/19/25 @ West Carteret	371
+ 10 more games

Several Bulldogs players turned in solid performances despite ultimately coming up short. Perhaps the best among those players was JJ Gulat, who rushed for 240 yards and one touchdown while picking up 10.0 yards per carry, and also threw for 75 yards and one TD on only five passes. Gulat's rushing production has been exceptional for a while as that marked his 15th straight game with at least 103 rushing yards dating back to last season. Sean Delaney was in the mix as well, providing Dixon with two scores.

As for Richlands, their win was their first in the conference, bumping their conference record up to 1-4 and their overall record up to 2-7. Their offense stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most points they've scored all season.

CJ DiBenedetto was a one-man wrecking crew as he threw for 273 yards and four TDs while completing 85% of his passes, and also rushed for 64 yards and one touchdown on only five carries. Those 273 passing yards gave him a new career-high. Richlands' leading receiver Dwight Hooker was DiBenedetto's top target yet again, picking up 164 receiving yards and a pair of scores.

Both teams are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. Dixon will host Croatan at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The Cougars will aim to continue their three-game streak of scoring more points each game than the last. As for Richlands, they will look to defend their home field on Friday against Swansboro at 7:00 p.m. The Wildcats will be up against the Pirates' rather soft defense (which has allowed 35.22 points per contest), so fans could be in store for a big offensive performance.