Meeker comeback win

The Bulldogs trailed 19-14 late in the game, but came up with three turnovers in the final five minutes to upend Perry, 26-19, Friday.

The first of the four turnovers - and the one that coach D.J. Howell said “switched everything back to us” - came after the Bulldogs’ punted inside the Maroons’ 10-yard with five minutes to go.

J.J. Bloomer then forced a fumble inside the Maroons’ 10-yard line that Kaden Chapman recovered and, two plays later, Caden Wolford ran for a touchdown that put the Bulldog up, 20-14.

After that, it was an interception by Zach Cook, another Wolford touchdown, an interception by Ty Gabbert and the Bulldogs were in the second round of the playoffs.

“From a complete game standpoint, that was the best we’ve played,” Howell said. “It was the first time since Week 3 that we had all five offensive linemen back, and that helped. Defensively, we made plays when we needed to make plays.

“Our secondary played well - gave up fewer than 100 yards and picked off three.”

Chapman led the Meeker defense with 12 tackles in addition to the key fumble recovery. Bloomer had 10 tackles and a sack in addition to causing a fumble. Wolford had nine tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss and Cook had seven tackles in addition to two interceptions.

Offensively, Wolford ran the ball 24 times for 168 yards and Cook had 15 carries for 123.