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Wellston, Ohio – The Athens Bulldogs took on the Wellston Golden Rockets on October 8, 2021, at the C.H. Jones Field. Wellston was celebrating their homecoming game.
Despite the humidity and muggy conditions, the weather managed to hold up, with only a slight drizzle at the beginning of the game. Athens was coming off of a great win against the Meigs the week before. The young Bulldogs were competing for their third win of the season. Every win meant the Bulldogs had a better opportunity to make it to the playoffs. OHSAA voted to permit 16 teams to go to the playoffs this year.
In the first quarter, a pass from Landon Wheatley to Derrick Welsh put Athens at the 16-yard line.
Athens, Wheatley threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Stevers, who put the ball in the end zone. The point after was good. Making the score 7-0, Athens with 7:50 to go in the first quarter.
Then Wellston had a 73-yard touchdown pass. The point after was good which put the score at an even 7-7.
A touchdown pass from Wheatley to Welsh put Athens back in the lead. The point after was good 14-7, Athens.
The first quarter ended and the Bulldogs were in the lead 14-7.
Wellston had three back-to-back touchdowns in the second quarter which hurt the Bulldogs. The first touchdown had no good extra point, making the score 14-13. The Golden Rockets made up for the lost point with a touchdown and a two-point conversion. Making the score 21-14, Wellston. The halftime score was 27-14 after Wellston scored a 20-yard touchdown pass, but failed to execute the point after.
The halftime score was 27-14, Wellston.
Athens still had a chance to come back after halftime.
There was no score in the third quarter. Athens, Wheatley, intercepted the ball which was big for the Bulldogs. Soon after Wellston had possession of the ball again but no points were scored.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Wellston scored a touchdown. That put the Golden Rockets in a large lead 35-14.
An additional three-yard touchdown run put Wellston in a solid leading advantage, 42-14.
Athens, Luke Brandes, scored a touchdown and the extra point was good making the score 42-21, Wellston.
Athens had another touchdown by Wheatley and the point after was good making the score 42-28, Wellston.
Wellston had one final touchdown of the night putting the final score at 49-28.
The Golden Rockets came out with a victory on their home field. The Bulldogs will be on the road again next week when they face off River Valley next Friday.
