Turnovers … by Alan B. Gibson

Posted October 19, 2016 at 8:17 am

Runnin Dawgs of all ages were out in force

We don’tget the chance to cover our Runnin’ Dawgs Cross Country team as often as we would like, with the exception of this issue when we get to feature some of those who were out early Saturday morning to compete in the annual Foothills Festival 5K race.

It was good to see so many blue and white uniforms out in force at the starting gate when the race got underway at Mountain View Park Saturday morning.

In addition to the non-Cross Country runners in the field of approximately 160 runners, the local Cross Country field included team members from the high school down to the elementary level.

Nice turnout indeed and the number of fans and boosters along the route that were offering encouragement was fantastic as well.

Of course those of us who were positioned at the finish line didn’t have to wait long before we began seeing those Runnin’ Dawgs approaching the courthouse square.

Senior Runnin’ Dawg Jeffrey Collins was the first across the line Saturday morning as the crowd gathered around the courthouse square to welcome the runners across by cheering. Collins finished the race with a winning time of 19:45.

Just a few steps behind Collins was sophomore Runnin’ Dawg Jackson Harlan, finishing the race second overall with a time of 20:38.

After the run had finished, an obviously proud Runnin’ Dawg Head Coach Jennifer Harlan looked at me with a big smile and said simply: “First and second – I’ll take it.”

Dawgs rule on the gridiron against Jenkins

Nothing like finishing out a home season with a win, and the Bulldogs certainly did that in style in a rare Thursday night outing on Bulldog Field.

Coach Jamie Miller’s Bulldogs were quick to put points on the board Thursday night against the Cavaliers of Jenkins Independent High School, picking up our first touchdown with 7:27 still showing on the first quarter clock. Our second touchdown followed in that same quarter with 6:32 still on the clock.

When all was said and done Thursday night, the Bulldogs finished the night on the good side of a Mercy Rule running clock en route to a 55-0 win.

That victory sends the Dawgs to Jackson High School next week, after a break from action this week, with a 4-5 overall record, hoping to finish the season with another win and a .500 record.

The Jackson Generals, a 3A squad, will be facing Bell County this Friday night and are currently sporting a 2-6 record. The only common opponent on the schedule for the Bulldogs and Generals is Lynn Camp, which picked up a win over Clinton County on September 30 by a score 41-32 and also defeated Jackson County on September 2 by a score of 49-28.

Should be a good night of football in Jackson County.