The Priceville Bulldogs’ offense ran wild in their 57-35 win over Rogers in a Class 4A, Region 8 matchup. 

“I was proud of our team’s ability to overcome adversity this week,” said Priceville head coach Chris Foster. “I thought each phase – offense, defense, and special teams – found a way to step their game up this week, despite missing some key players.” 

The Bulldogs’ rushing attack piled up 381 yards and five touchdowns on 30 carries. Xander Gaines had 157 yards and two scores on five carries. Mason Cartee added 115 yards and two scores on 11 carries. Jerry Burton carried the ball five times for 43 yards, while Wyatt Hurt added 40 yards and two scores on five carries. 

Rogers jumped out to a 7-0 lead with a 33-yard touchdown run with in the first quarter, but the Bulldogs would tie the game at 7-7 on a Cartee nine-yard run with 2:39 left in the first. 

The Pirates’ Byron Lane scored his second touchdown less than two minutes later on a 39-yard run with 40 seconds left in the quarter. 

Priceville answered right back, as William Baker returned the Rogers kickoff 67 yards for a touchdown with 21 seconds left in the first to tie the game at 14-14. 

Lane scored his third touchdown of the first half on a five-yard run with seven minutes left in the second quarter. Following a missed extra point, the Pirates led 20-14. 

The Bulldogs took their first lead of the game when Hurt connected with Jake Langlois on a seven-yard touchdown pass with 3:10 left in the second quarter. Following the extra point, Priceville led 21-20. 

Priceville broke open the game in the third quarter, thanks to the Bulldog defense. 

The Bulldogs opened the half with a three-play 57-yard drive capped off by a Hurt 29-yard touchdown run. Following a Cartee two-point conversion, Priceville led 29-20. 

Baker intercepted a Rogers’ pass that went of their receiver’s hand to give the Bulldogs the ball back at the Priceville 40-yard line. On the next play, Gaines breaks loose for a 60-yard touchdown run to extend the lead to 36-20. 

The Bulldog’s defense stopped the Pirates at the four-yard line on a fourth-down run to give the ball back to the offense. Two plays later, Gaines went 90 yards for his second touchdown to push the lead to 43-20. 

Priceville blocked a Rogers’ punt on their next possession and recovered the ball at the Pirates’ 19-yard line. Hurt called his own number and scored his second touchdown of the game on a 19-yard run to extend the lead to 50-20 with seven seconds left in the third quarter. 

The fourth quarter saw the Pirates score twice, sandwiched around a Cartee 25-yard run to make the final score 57-35. 

“I was particularly proud of Jerry Burton. He showed why he is best back in the state in my book. He played a decoy or blocking back all night and didn’t complain a bit,” said Foster. “There are not many all-state running backs that would be happy after touching the ball only five times, but that is just one of the things that makes him special.” 

Priceville (5-1, 3-1) heads into a brutal three-game stretch starting with Central-Florence (6-1, 3-1) this Friday night at Bulldog Stadium. Along with Deshler, the teams are tied for second in region play, just a game behind West Limestone.