Davenport’s unbeaten string ended at 12 last weekend in the State Class B quarterfinals when Balko handed the Bulldogs a 58-12 defeat in a contest played at Forgan.
Veteran Coach John Greenfield, in his 18th season coaching the Bulldogs, said his team’s overall record was 12-1. “I think we haven’t made it to at least the quarterfinals only one time during that span,” he noted.
The coach said of his team’s loss, “We got blown out. They exposed all of our weaknesses. They dominated us,” he added.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they won it all. They are a better team than us,” he believes.
Greenfield acknowledged, “We didn’t play our best and you have to when you travel 4 ½ hours to play.”
He said, “In the second half we came out and played a lot better.”
Greenfield pointed out they had a pretty big size advantage. “Their quarterback is 6-2, weighs about 210, and their offense is built around him. They have a guard who is about 6-8, weighs 315 pounds and he is really strong.
“And their running back and wide receiver are really fast.”
Greenfield stressed, “Our problem was we couldn’t stop them. And we couldn’t move the ball much on them.”
He said the Bulls scored on their first series and at some point in the opening period it was 22-6.
Leading the Bulldogs in rushing was Griffin Melson, carrying the ball six times for 68 yards including a touchdown. He also caught two passes for 50 yards and a TD.
Sophomore quarterback Chance Acord completed 8 of 13 passing attempts for 99 yards and a TD and he was held to 14 yards on 9 carries.
Cole Yancey rushed for 18 yards on a single carry and Parker Mitchell had three carries for 11 yards.
Houston Byford snagged three passes for 24 yards.
Greenfield said the Bulldogs will lose several players to graduation. “The next couple of years or so will be rebuilding years,” he thinks.