By Angie Ledbetter

The Pope Bulldogs defeated the Batesville Jr. High seventh graders 28-0 on Friday at Pope.

The game consisted of two 30-minute halves. Each team started on their own 35 yard line and went for two points, with no PATs being kicked.

The Bulldogs scored first when tailback Lekedrick Flowers took the ball into the end zone from three yards out with 19:10 on the clock. The two point conversion by Flowers was good to put Bulldogs on top 8-0. Fullback Tyler Beard added six more points when he caught a 35-yard pass from quarterback Tevis Flowers but the Tigers defense stepped up and held the Bulldogs from getting the two point conversion.

A few plays later, the Tigers fumbled and defensive back Blake Darby recovered the ball on the Tiger’s seven and took it to the end zone for another Bulldog touchdown. Flowers converted the two points to give the Bulldogs a 20-0 lead at the half.

Blake Darby scored the lone touchdown of the second half, catching a 60-yard pass from Tevis Flowers. The two point conversion failed when the Bulldogs fumbled, and seventh grader Quandez Lee made the recovery for the Tigers.

Head Bulldog coach Mike Turner said his team played hard.

“The games mean a lot to them and they like to win. Batesville is a quality team and the coaches are good guys.”

Head Tigers coach Trey Higdon said he played his seventh graders only because his eight grade squad had played Grenada the night before and won.

“I was pleased with the way that my team responded to the loss. They played hard.”