BOGUE CHITTO – It was a wild Friday nighton Troy Smith Field as football fans watched Bogue Chitto andDexter produced a scoring frenzy that totaled 110 points and nearlyblew a fuse in the scoreboard to end the regular season. Theycombined for over 900 yards total offense.

    Junior running back Brandon Wells rushed for 168 yards on 18carries and scored three touchdowns as the Bobcats captured thethird seed in Region 4-1A action with 62-48 Senior Night win overthe Dexter Bulldogs. Bogue Chitto amassed a total of 460 yardsoffense.

    “Wild game,” said BC coach Gareth Sartin. “We played really wellboth offensively and defensively, but we need to work on notturning the ball over. Dexter did an outstanding job tonight, theydid not give up.

    “I was really proud of the way we managed to fight back when wewere down in the game,” continued Sartin. “We are excited to beginthe playoffs. The South looks wide-open and we are ready to getstarted.”

    In the first quarter, Dexter and Bogue Chitto started the game slowas both schools battled hard to get the upper hand and good fieldposition. The Bulldogs (6-5, 6-3) managed to capitalized on aBobcat fumble to break up the scoreless game as Clifford Fernandezconnected with Dante Butler for a 26-yard touchdown strike with5:35 remaining. Fernandez cashed in the 2-point conversion on arun.

    Bogue Chitto (9-2, 7-2) quickly fought back. Senior running backColton McClendon sprinted 44 yards to paydirt with 2:05 remaining.The Bobcats were unsuccessful on the 2-point conversion try. Dexterheld an 8-6 advantage at the end of the first quarter.

    In the second quarter, the fireworks show began.  Dexter started the performance as theBulldogs capitalized on two Bobcat fumbles. Fernandez tossed toButler twice for a 12 and 20-yard touchdowns. Dexter failed toconnected on two pass attempts for 2-points and led 20-6.

    Bogue Chitto returned the favor as the Bobcats scored 29 unansweredpoints before halftime. Sophomore quarterback Brock Robertorchestrated the attack as he galloped 29 yards to paydirt with3:19 remaining. Roberts also punched in a 2-point try for theBobcats.

    Bogue Chitto’s defense rose to the challenge after that play andmanaged to pick off the Bulldogs twice and recover a fumble thatset up good scoring threats for the Bobcats. Roberts cashed in oneinterception with a 22-yard strike to Germie Martin with 2:01left.

    On the next possession, the BC defense caused the Bulldogs tofumble the ball. That set up another quick score as Wells rumbledfor an 8-yard touchdown with 1:27 left. He also punched through the2-point conversion.

    The Bobcats defense tightened up more on Dexter and captured theirsecond pick to set their last scoring drive before halftime. Martincashed in that opportunity when he hooked up with James Blackwellon a 26-yard pass play as time expired. BC’s Cameron Price wasfour-of-five on extra points for the night. The Bobcats commanded a35-20-halftime lead.

    During halftime, football fans managed to take a break from theaction and watched the peewee cheerleaders perform and prepare formore action to come.

    In the third quarter, the fireworks show continued, as Bogue Chittorecorded a 67-yard kickoff return from Blackwell to start thequarter with 11:47 showing.

    Dexter answered on the next possession with an 85-yard kickoffreturn of its own with 11:34 remaining. The Bulldogs cashed inanother 2-point try when Fernandez connected with Vonta Owens.Dexter’s defense managed to force the Bobcats to fumble and set upanother score. Fernandez plowed through for a 24-yard touchdownwith 7:26 left.

    The Bobcats managed to overcome their third quarter struggle andleg cramps as Wells sprinted 46 yards to paydirt with 1:44remaining,

    The Bulldogs trimmed into Bogue Chitto lead as Owens caught a24-yard pass from Fernandez to end the third quarter. The Bobcatsheld a 49-40 lead going into the final frame.

    In the fourth quarter, the scoring onslaught began to slow down asboth teams were fighting major leg cramps in the cold, crisp air.Bogue Chitto managed to increase their lead late in the fourth asWells galloped 51 yards with 3:09 remaining. The Bobcats defensepunched in the final points as Dennis Rogers returned aninterception 34 yards for a touchdown with 2:13 left.

     Dexter provided the finalpoints of the game. Fernandez plowed through for a 3-yard touchdownwith 1:24 left. Fernandez also connected with Owens on the 2-pointconversion.

    “It is tough to lose a heart-breaker like this,” said Dexter coachRandy Sumrall. “We started the game off strong, but faded outtoward the end. Bogue Chitto is a very good, well-coached team. Iwish them well in the playoffs.”

    Defensively, Jermaine Blackwell led the Bobcats with 15 tackles andintercepted a pass. Roberts contributed 13 stops. Jeremy Blackwelland Martin provided 10 tackles apiece. Rogers and Wells intercepteda pass. Damien Terrell recovered a fumble.

    Dexter was led defensively by Tyson Smith with 18 tackles. Owenscontributed 11 stops.

    Offensively, Roberts was the leader in Bogue Chitto’s air attack,completing 4-of-7 passes for 77 yards. He also rushed 88 yards on16 carries. McClendon contributed to the ground attack with 8rushes for 54 yards. James Blackwell was the top receiver for BCwith 2 catches for 52 yards. Martin caught 2 passes for 44yards.

    Fernandez was the offensive leader for the Bulldogs, completing20-of-33 passes for 260 yards and 3 interception. He also rushedfor 101 yards on 14 carries. Butler was the leading receiver with 8catches for 140 yards.

    Bogue Chitto returns to action Friday as they visit the No.2 seedof Region 3-1A, Nanih Waiya’s Warriors, in the opening round of theMHSAA State 1A playoffs. Dexter enters the playoffs as the No.4seed of Region 4-1A and will invade the Noxapater Tiger, the Region3-1A champs.