Bulldog bite too much for Panthers
Wesley Alexander fights through a tackle Friday, Sept. 2, at Panther Stadium in Normangee. The lola Bulldogs picked up their first win of the season, 42-22, over the Panthers. Examiner photo by Chaney Kay
By Chaney Kay
Examiner intern
NORMANGEE - The bark was louder than the purr as the Iola Bulldogs chased the rival Normangee Panthers off their home turf Friday, Sept 2, with a 42-22 win
Coming off last week’s loss to Snook, the Bulldogs (1-1) needed a win. The game started with a bang with Iola scoring on a safety. The lead was extended as the first Bulldog touchdown of the season was hauled in by Cale Creamer, a 30-yard reception from Brian Crosby. “The most exciting part of the game was finally getting to see our offense come together,” explained Crosby. He said he also enjoyed seeing his teammates “gain confidence” in their new system.
Cooper Cadro added to the Bulldog lead with a 37-yard touchdown reception from Crosby. Normangee scored on a 4-yard run to make the score 15-6. The lead didn’t last long as Iola scored twice more before halftime on a 26-yard reception by Creamer and a 6-yard run from Wesley Alexander.
Kyler Dreher led the Bulldog rushing attack with 99 yards on 11 carries. Alexander rushed for 71 yards on nine totes.
Iola scored twice, and Normangee scored once in the third quarter. Crosby carried the ball into the endzone from the 2-yard line, then the Panthers scored on a 68-yard pass. Dreher carried the ball 23-yards for Iola’s second score of the quarter and final score of the game. The scoring was finalized on a 5-yard run by Normangee in the final quarter.
In the win, Iola was able to show off their new offensive plays and boost morale as they head into their game against the Lovelady Lions. Iola will head to Lovelady for the game set for Friday, Sept. 9, with a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.