Bulldogs down Marion in district game

TAZEWELL – Senior night was a happy one for the Bulldogs as they knocked off the Marion Scarlet Hurricane 17-7.
Strong defense and special teams play set the Bulldog offense up and kept Marion’s locked down all night. Marion managed just one first down in the first half and did not cross the midfield stripe until the third quarter.
Luke Allison pinned Marion deep with a good punt in the first quarter. The defense kept Marion backed up to its eight yard line and forced a punt. A weak punt into the wind gave Tazewell the ball at Marion’s 30.
Solid runs by Mikal Moore and Lathel Mountain gave the Bulldogs a first and goal at the 10. Aaron McReynolds carried twice for his fourth touchdown of the season. Allison’s kick was good and the Bulldogs never looked back.
The Bulldog defense stifled Marion following the kickoff and another short punt gave Tazewell the ball at midfield. Tyler Crouse connected with Brad Rhudy on third and five for a first to keep the drive alive.
On third and four from the 31, Crouse hit Cory Beavers who fought off several would be tacklers, en-route to the end zone. A Marion defender stripped the ball from Beavers and it rolled into the end zone.
Center Mike Elkins pounced on the loose ball to put the Bulldogs up 14-0. Tazewell’s next drive also started on Marion’s side of the 50 and ended with a field goal by Allison to send the Bulldogs into the locker room up 17-0.
Marion moved the ball into Bulldog territory on its first possession of the second half. Matt Noe hooked up with Garrett Johnson on a 33 yard pass play to move Marion to the Tazewell 33.
Hard running by Noe, who finished as Marion’s leading ground gainer and Eric Bane moved the ball to the Bulldog 14. Allison recovered a fumble to halt that drive.
Marion took advantage of a short field to score its only touchdown of the night. Noe and Johnson combined on a passing play for 28 yards midway of the fourth quarter to end Tazewell’s shutout.
A penalty took an Allison touchdown off the board on the next Tazewell possession. The Bulldog defense continued its solid effort over the final five minutes of the game.
Marion’s last attempt faded away on a fourth and 14 from the 45. The Bulldogs got the ball back with one minute left and ran out the clock.
The victory raised Tazewell’s record to 5-4 for the season and the loss dropped Marion to 5-3. Tazewell closes the season with a trip to Grundy Oct. 30. Marion travels to Lebanon this week before closing the season at home Nov. 6 against Abingdon.