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  • Seniors Matt Harrison, No. 17, and Donovan Smith, No. 28, were phenomenal all year long David Brent Martin

    North Paulding drops Bulldogs

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November 7, 2009

North Paulding drops Bulldogs

David Brent Martin

The GMC Prep Bulldogs had catapulted themselves to three straight road victories, including a win over 6-2 Hebron Christian last Saturday in Athens — and were looking to win one at home Friday night versus North Paulding.

With the temperature falling, the Bulldogs would get behind the Wolfpack’s high-powered offense and ultimately fall 42-0 to end their season.

The Bulldogs were blessed this season with 11 elite senior student athletes, all of which were being celebrated Friday on Senior Night. In all, Nathan Seagraves, Matt Harrison, Drew Sanders, John Layfield, Will Parker, Donovan Smith, Shane Bloodworth, Devin Dubay, Joel Bentley, John Austin Vance and Adam Veatch would be on hand to give it their all one last time on Davenport Field.

All players were valuable commodities on the Bulldog roster and all contributed to three straight road wins. They also contributed earlier in the season when the Bulldogs were snatching quarters away from some of their loftiest opponents.

The Wolfpack (5-5) came trucking into Davenport Field, bringing a pretty prolific offense — and were known to work with precision.

The Wolfpack would score first in the opening quarter and lead 7-0 going into the second.

North Paulding would sneak by GMC Prep’s surging defense on the second play of the second quarter, and then score again within three minutes to take a 21-0 lead. The Wolfpack’s depth and quick-strike ability was beginning to spread its’ ugly wings. But GMC Prep’s defense continued to pressure and keep the game interesting.

Taylor Payne would have a 48 yard touchdown run, that the linesman would call back, nullified and GMC (3-7) was unable to score in the second half. Parker wasn’t able to connect with Joseph McCallister in the end zone on two plays late in the second.

GMC’s John Layfield had nine tackles at halftime and Matt Harrison had 11 tackles at the half to lead the Bulldogs. Justin Parham also had a big game on defense.

GMC Prep’s future is bright and the necessary attitude and wisdom has been firmly cemented by a first year coach who “found a way” to turn his unit around and play big-time football.

“Our young guys have just been fabulous for us. The freshmen and sophomores have done a great, great job. They’re doing everything we need them to do. They’re also giving us good looks on the scout team on both sides of the football,” said Owens early in the week. “Their future is just really bright. That freshman class, if we can keep add a few people to it, is going to be very successful together. There’s no doubt about. I’m just real proud of the direction we’re headed and the things that are going on here. I’ve seen the kids progress and get better despite the setbacks we had earlier in the season.”

Coach Owens was still mightily proud of his bunch Friday night after a very tough defeat.

“I don’t want this to put a damper on the good things that we did. It was a great three weeks for us. We ran into a team tonight that outgunned us,” said Owens. “We were close to holding them and then they’d make a big play. It took its toll on us. We had a couple of chances to score, but couldn’t convert.”

The Bulldogs exhibited an unlimited amount of character as the season unfolded, and were never “soundly” beaten by any opponent. In the end, they were always fighting and forcing opponents to bring their A-game.

“I’m so proud of them. It shows a tremendous amount of character — sticking this season out. I’m more proud of that than anything — the way they fought through it.”

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