In the final analysis, it was not another team who beat the Quitman Bulldogs, it was lightning. The game was officially called with 3:11 left to play in the first half with Scurry-Rosser leading 7-0. It was officially called a “no contest” for the official record so Quitman remains undefeated for 2018 at 1-0.

Head Coach Bryan Oakes was disappointed in the outcome.

“We really wanted to finish the game. We were willing to wait it out and even play on Saturday, but it was decided we would not finish,” Oakes said. “Had this been a district game, it would have been played.”

A Scurry-Rosser interception was returned to the Bulldog eight yard line with just over four minutes in the half. From there the Wildcats scored and kicked the point after to give them a 7-0 lead at the 3:52 mark of the second quarter. Quitman took the following kick-off and was driving when lightning moved the teams back into the locker rooms for the third time with 3:11 still to go in the half. The game was officially ruled “no contest” after 9 p.m.

The Bulldogs ran the ball well in the abbreviated game, rushing for 102 yards compared to just 67 total yards for Scurry-Rosser. The Bulldogs drove deep into Wildcat territory on two occasions, but were stopped on downs both times, once at the two yard line and the other at the seven.

“I was pleased with our effort on offense, but not the execution. When you get down there like that, you need to score. We are still learning and we are getting better. We still need to do the little things right,” Oakes noted. “We can’t have a wrong block or a back missing the right hole where he is supposed to run. Those things can hurt you.

The Bulldog mentor was pleased with the defense. “I was really proud of our defensive effort. Our defense did a really good job while they were out there. I thought we held them really well, especially their good running back,” Oakes said. “We just have to keep working and get ready for a good Union Grove team this week.”

The Bulldogs travel to the Gladewater area to take on the 2-0 Union Grove Lions who were 32-14 winners over Overton Friday night and opened August 31 with a 20-0 victory over James Bowie. Kick-off is at 7:30 p.m.