Bulldogs wary of upset-minded Tigers

Fans of Marlboro County football have lived charmed lives this season.

The Bulldogs have rolled over most opponents en route to an 8-0 record, so all is well in Bennettsville.

That could all change Friday night, however, if Marlboro County loses to Wilson at Memorial Stadium in the Morning News Game of Week.

“It only takes one loss in Bennettsville to get the fans frowning real quick. That’s what makes this job stressful,” Bulldogs coach Dean Boyd said. “And Wilson’s got the team to get it done.”

Boyd added his squad is prepared for a hostile homecoming crowd.

“Our kids seem to play better when it’s loud and everyone is pumped up. That’s what makes McAlpine Stadium (in Bennettsville) so special,” he said. “It actually helps us that Wilson’s holding its homecoming this week.”

In 13 seasons under Boyd, Marlboro’s only lost twice to the Tigers. Their only regular season loss came in 1997. Wilson, however, defeated the Bulldogs in the third round of the Class 3A playoffs in 2006.

“We play back our history with (the Bulldogs) and learn from our mistakes,” said Wilson coach Darryl Page, whose team is 5-2 overall and 2-1 in Region 6-3A. “We have to control the line of scrimmage and eliminate mistakes and turnovers in a game of this magnitude.

“It’s a very big rivalry. In the past, we have not performed our best and they have. For the most part, it’s gone in their favor. But I expect a tough football game.”
For the Tigers to pull off the upset, they will have to stop an offense that has dominated opposing defenses all season.

The Bulldogs (3-0 in region) are led by one of the best quarterbacks in the area in Eliot Alford. The senior has thrown for 1,414 yards with 19 touchdowns and just three interceptions. Alford has also rushed for 339 yards and a team-leading seven scores.

Alford’s favorite targets through the air are Malik Ford and Jaquan Brantley. The two have combined for 956 yards receiving and 13 TDs.

When Alford doesn’t use his arms or legs to give defensive coordinators headaches, he hands the ball off to a pair of talented running backs. Josh Blue has rushed for 520 yards and four scores.

Lee Pegues is the short-yardage expert for the Bulldogs, rushing for five TDs despite gaining just 23 yards on the season.

Page said giving Alford different looks is paramount to getting a win.

“We still have a good defense,” said Page, whose Tigers have allowed 25 points per game. “We hope we can create scenarios where (Alford’s) picture isn’t clear, whether it be a strong pass rush or a dropping some people back.”

On the other hand, Wilson gained just 139 total yards and needed a late TD pass from Maliek McCall to pull out a win at Crestwood last Friday.

McCall has thrown for 1,058 yards this season with nine TDs and five picks. He has also rushed for 301 yards and a score.

Adray Montgomery is the Tigers’ leading rusher with 527 yards and 12 scores. Devin Borden has 342 yards on the ground and four scores.

Justin Kelly, John Israel and Jaquez Legette have combined for 905 yards receiving and nine TDs.

“Sometimes good defenses stop good offenses. We faced a Crestwood team that held Marlboro County to seven points the week before,” Page said. “If you go up against good defenses, you’re going to have trouble scoring points.”

Boyd expects points to be at a premium when the teams face off.

“I don’t expect a high-scoring game. Both teams have great defenses,” he said. “We have to earn everything we get against them.

“It’s just a good high school football game every time we play (Wilson). We’re mirror images of each other. It’ll be one of those slobberknockers.”