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ROCKSPRINGS, Ohio — The Athens Bulldogs brought their high powered offense to Holzer Field at Farmers Bank Stadium Friday night to play the Meigs Marauders. The Marauders played most of the first half with the heavyweights before the Bulldogs delivered a knockdown punch and get their offense going en route to a 47-14 win over the Marauders, before a wet senior night crowd.

The Bulldogs were leading just 12-7 with 14 seconds left on the clock in the first half when the Bulldogs outstanding sophomore quarterback Joe Burrows hit Skyler Schwarzel with a 40 yard scoring toss to put the visitors on top 20-7 at the half. That score seemed to be what the doctor ordered for the Bulldogs as they exploded for 21 third period points to put the game away.

Meigs took the opening kickoff and drove to the Bulldog 37, but the maroon and gold turned the ball over on downs. From their Trae Williams ripped off runs of 28, 30 and four yards to the Marauder one. From there Tanner Wood scored from a yard out the extra points were no good but the Bulldogs held the early 6-0 lead.

The Bulldogs forced a Marauder punts on the next possession and Schwarzel fumbled with Dillon Bush recovering for Meigs at the Bulldog 30. Eight plays later Andrew Burt rammed in from the one yard line. Kaileb Sheets added the kick and the Marauders were on top 7-6 at the 10:33 mark of the first half.

The Bulldogs drove to the Meigs 19, but two straight Burrow passes turned the ball over on downs. But just two plays later, Schwarzel stepped in front on a Meigs receiver and took it the distance 20 yards for the score giving Athens a 12-7 lead at the 6:56 mark of the half.

The big play of the half came with just14 seconds left however, when Burrow hit Schwarzel cutting across the middle, and Skyler took it in from 40 yards out for the score. Burrow added the extra points and the two teams went into the locker rooms with the Bulldogs on top 20-7.

In the third period, the Bulldogs scored on touchdown passes of 26 yards from Burrow to Ryan Luehrman, and 11 yards to Schwarzel sandwiched around a one yard run from Williams to build the lead to 41-7 heading into the fourth period.

Dillon Boyer added a Meigs touchdown in the fourth period with a one yard run, Boyer set the score up with a 60 yard run three plays before. Sheets added the kick with 8:48 left.

The Bulldogs wrapped up the scoring when Dakotah McFee broke loose on a 61 yard score to make it a 47-14 final.

Williams led the Bulldogs on the ground with 153 yards in 15 tries; Burrow added four carries for 31. Burrow only a sophomore came into the contest averaging 256 yards in the air with 2,049 yards and 32 touchdowns. But Meigs held him below his average he completed 12 of 19 for 196 yards. Schwarzel caught six passes for 133 yards.

Boyer led Meigs with 145 yards in 24 carries; Devon Cundiff added 10 for 20 yards. Boyer was three of six in the air for only one yard. Kaileb Sheets was four of seven for 27. Ty Phelps caught all seven Marauder completions for 28 yards.

Athens is now 7-2 on the season and will play Nelsonville-York for the TVC title next Friday. Meigs drops to 2-7 and will travel to Alexander next Friday.