Bulldogs relish role as underdogs against Myrtle Beach

By: | SCNow
Published: November 26, 2008

The Marlboro County Bulldogs aren’t really used to being underdogs.

But they hope to use that to their advantage Friday.

For the first time since dropping to Class 3A, Marlboro will compete in the lower state championship against powerhouse Myrtle Beach.

And for once, most of the pressure lies on the other side, Bulldogs coach Dean Boyd said.

“We have nothing to lose,” Boyd said. “All the stress should be on Myrtle Beach because we’re not supposed to be here, according to the way you draw the brackets up.

“Now we just have to go down there and play. Nobody expects us to win, so let’s have some fun and see what happens.”

Myrtle Beach (12-1) boasts one of the best offenses in the state. The Seahawks have scored 527 points in 13 games (40.5 ppg average).

Quarterback Everett Golson has thrown for 3,113 yards and 37 touchdowns.

“We’ve gone five or six years at a time and not thrown for 3,000 yards combined,” Boyd said. “He’s a great quarterback and they’re a very good football team, the best we’ve seen this season.

“You’re not going to stop them. We just have to slow them down and play good on offense and keep the ball out of their hands.”

Lake City is the only team to beat Myrtle Beach this season. In that game, time of possession was key for Lake City, Boyd said.

“They kept Myrtle Beach’s offense on the sideline for a lot of the game,” he said. “They also used a trick play to score, and scored late in the ballgame. So it could have gone either way.”

If the Bulldogs (10-3) are to control the clock, they’ll have to rely on Tyreek Townsend. Townsend has rushed for 2,281 yards and 19 touchdowns.

“I think the biggest concern is their speed,” Myrtle Beach coach Scott Earley said. “They spread the field, which forces you to spread the field. That creates a lot of running room for (Townsend).”

Marlboro quarterback Elliot Alford might not have Golson’s numbers, but he’s thrown for 2,223 yards and 26 touchdowns.

“If you worry about (Townsend) too much, they can create some mismatches down the field and take advantage of that as well,” Earley said.

Marlboro’s speedy defense will present a challenge as well, Earley added.

“We just have to take what they give us and not try to make the big play and be more methodical,” he said. “I expect a ball-control type offense from both teams.”