Dawgs can’t overcome ‘ugly’ third quarter in gridiron loss

A third quarter in which nothing went right cost the Creswell Bulldogs, who suffered a 20-41 football loss to Central Linn on Sept. 28.
Both teams were scoreless after the first quarter, but the Cobras got on the board in the second for a 6-0 halftime lead.
The Bulldogs got into the red zone twice in the first half but were unable to capitalize as a pair of quarterback sacks pushed them backwards and a receiver’s foot on the line denied a touchdown pass attempt.
Nevertheless, “We played well in the first half,” said Creswell Head Coach Scott Worsham. “We were shutting them down; they scored once on a 35-yard quarterback scramble, and that was all they were able to do.”
But things went off the rails in the third, as Central Linn racked up 35 points on some deep passes and outside sweep plays for a 41-0 advantage.
“It’s been a weird five games; for whatever reason, every third quarter we’ve played has been ugly,” Worsham said. “Whether it’s mental fatigue or whatever, we’ve got to be able to come out of halftime knowing we can play hard and well and win ballgames.”
Central Linn took advantage of strong field position throughout the third quarter: “We started the quarter with a fumble on the 20-yard line and they scored pretty quickly after that, and then whenever we punted it didn’t go very far,” Worsham said. “I think they were on the 30-yard line and in on about their first four possessions. They didn’t have to go very far for their five touchdowns.”
The Dawgs scored three TDs in the final quarter: Gabe Hastings scored on a one-yard pass from quarterback Dallton Dewey; Creswell kicked off, and Logan Johnson – who had two fumble recoveries in the game – stripped the Central Linn returner and ran it back 35 yards for a touchdown; and Levi Bones scored on a 44-yard pass from Dewey.
Bones’ first extra-point kick attempt was blocked, but he made his next two to bring the score to its final margin.
Dewey completed 15 of 25 passes for 203 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception. Tayler Forsman completed 1-of-1 for 37 passing yards.
Forsman also made seven catches for 101 yards, had seven carries for 58 yards, five tackles and knocked down two Cobra passes.
Bones made five catches for 101 yards, with a touchdown, and five tackles.
Jackson Parker made one catch for 37 yards; Gabe Hastings made two catches for one yard, with a touchdown, and six tackles.
Tyler Olson led the defense with eight tackles; Nick Mullens had six and Jaycob Kremer had five.
“I commend the guys for not giving up even though it was 41-0 late in the game,” Worsham said. “They played to the end and found a way to score some touchdowns, so there are some positives to carry forward.”
The Bulldogs hope those positives carry into Friday’s homecoming game against Oakland – a typically strong 2A team that is currently 0-5.
“If we play like we played the last quarter against Central Linn we should be fine,” Worsham said. “If the guys put in the work this week and come out strong, hopefully we’ll be victorious on Friday night.”