Bulldogs Dominate Northland

Photos by: Marianne Pierson

Tyler Peterson-NSO

Coming off a big win over the McGregor Mercuries, 14-8, in their final home game of the season, the Carlton Bulldogs traveled to Northland and continued to roll as they won their second consecutive game, 44-14.

The Bulldogs got out to a hot start in the 1st half and it all started with Dominic Bennett finding the end zone from 5 yards out to give the Bulldogs the early 6-0 lead. The Bulldogs then came up big on the defensive side of the ball, when Ryan Adams recovered a fumble and returned it 37 yards to increase the lead to 12-0. Bennett scored back to back touchdowns in the 2nd quarter, one from 1 yard out and another from 5 yards out to put the Bulldogs up 24-0. They would go up 32-0 just before half after Bard Day plunged in from 3 yards out and Bennett converted the 2 points.

In the 3rd quarter, Bennett scored his 4th touchdown on the night, this one coming from 9 yards to increase the Bulldog lead to 38-0. Northland finally found themselves on the scoreboard in the 4th quarter when Cooper Kovall connected with Justin Wicks from 24 yards out. Kovall hit Zian Myers on the 2 point conversion, cutting the massive Bulldogs lead down to 38-8. Carlton answered right back with Cade Pierson finding some running room and getting into the end zone on a 34 yard run, boosting the Bulldogs lead to 44-8. Northland would score once more, when Kovall and Wicks connected again, this time from 4 yards out, as the Bulldogs went on to win 44-14 in dominating fashion.

The Bulldogs as a team rushed for 307 yards in the victory, with 174 coming from Dominic Bennett. Bennett also had a nice day of scoring, punching 4 touchdowns into the end zone. Ryan Adams got it done on the defensive end of the ball for the Bulldogs, racking up 8.5 tackles, recording an interception, and recovering a fumble for a touchdown in the victory.

The Bulldogs end their regular season 2-6 with some momentum from the 2 game winning streak. They will enter the playoffs as the 6th seed and will travel to play their nearby rivals, the Wrenshall Wrens (6-2), on Tuesday, October 21st with kickoff coming at 7:00 PM.

Game Summary:

Carlton – 12 20 6 6 44

Northland – 0 0 0 14 14

Carlton – Dominic Bennett 5 run (run failed)
Carlton – Ryan Adams 37 fumble return (run failed)
Carlton – Bennett 1 run (run failed)
Carlton – Bennett 5 run (run failed)
Carlton – Bard Day 3 run (Bennett run)
Carlton – Bennett 9 run (run failed)
Northland – Cooper Kovall to Justin Wicks 24 pass ( Kovall to Zian Myers)
Carlton – Cade Pierson 34 run (run failed)
Northland – Kovall to Wicks 4 pass (no good)