MIZE – Turnovers! They are the one item that can severely affectthe outcome of a football game.

Enterprise, one of the Region 4-1A co-leaders, traveled to SmithCounty Friday night to do battle with region co-leader Mize. TheBulldogs took advantage of three consecutive fumbles by the YellowJackets to secure an extremely hard-fought 48-24 win.

Mize, coached by Kenneth Robinson, is the defending Class 1Achampion. The Bulldogs (9-0, 7-0) are ranked No. 1 in the latest APLittle 10 Poll and are riding a state best 18-game winningstreak.

Enterprise plays host to Dexter Friday night, while Mize travelsto Stringer for regional tests. Kickoffs are set for 7:30 p.m.

Enterprise (7-2, 6-1) jumped out of the starting gates in theopening 1:42 of the game. Junior quarterback Justin Kyzar hit widereceiver Monti Crotwell with a 77-yard touchdown pass. The PAT kickfailed and the estimated 1,000 fans on the homeside of BulldogStadium were in a state of shock. The Jackets led 6-0 after the3-play, 80-yard drive.

With 1:57 left in the opening period, Bulldog fullback JasonDucksworth rambled 25 yards to the end zone. Logan Sullivan’sfirst-of-six PAT kicks were successful and Mize gained a 7-6lead.

Then the Bulldog offense came to life. The Enterprise miscuesresulted in 21 unanswered points, to give Mize a 28-12 lead at theintermission.

With 10:26 remaining in the first half, Ducksworth bulldozed hisway for 21 yards and a touchdown.

After Enterprise’s second fumble, Bulldog quarterback JayJohnson capped off a 3-play, 20-yard drive with a 15-yard scamperto paydirt at the 9:01 mark of the second.

The Jacket’s third fumble led to a touchdown by Bulldog tailbackJoey Sullivan as he dove into the endzone from 1-yard out.

Enterprise was able to add a touchdown on the scoreboard with 28seconds left until halftime. Kyzar tossed a 20-yard scoring pass toRufus Allen. The conversion pass failed.

The Bulldogs increased their lead to 35-12 at the 8:39 mark ofthe third. Wingback Curtis Keyes dashed across from 19 yardsout.

Enterprise responded with an 8-play, 58-yard drive with 3:37left in the third. Kyzar found Crotwell in the end zone for thesecond time on the night with a 7-yard touchdown pass.

Exactly 2 minutes later, Sullivan tacked on another score forMize; this time from 7 yards away. The Bulldogs entertained a 41-18advantage entering the final frame.

“Mize has a very good ballclub,” said Enterprise head coachRicky Deere. “Despite our turnovers, I thought that we played verywell.”

The Jackets opened the final 12 minutes with a touchdown at the11:56 mark. Kyzar called his own number from 1-yard out. Kyzarfinished the night with 179 yards through the air, completing8-of-15 passes with 1 interception.

Mize added an insurance score 6 minutes later, as Johnson hitPete Keyes with a 25-yard scoring strike.

Both teams traded several possessions before the final hornsounded.

“Enterprise has a very good team,” said Coach Robinson. “We wereable to take advantage of their mistakes. That No. 1 is aheck-of-a-ballplayer.” Robinson was referring to Jacket seniorrunningback Shermaine Vaughn who paced the Enterprise offense with121 yards on 13 carries, and led the defensive charge with 15tackles (11 solos).

Defensively, providing support for Enterprise were Chase Raifordand Bobby Lambert who were in on 6 stops apiece. Allen had 5tackles.