By Marla Jones, Sports Editor • marla@southerntorch.com

GERALDINE, Ala. — The Bulldogs came out as the victor against Crossville in the 98th Battle of Skirum Creek on Saturday night.

The Bulldogs struck early when DJ Graham made the connection to Bo Harper with 8:06 remaining in the first quarter.  The kick by Jose Garcia was good giving the Bulldogs the 7-0 advantage.  Crossville responded by marching down the field for 14 plays before fumbling   Kyle  Thackerson recovered for the Bulldogs with 2:26 remaining in the first.  

Geraldine bulldozed its way down the field for 72 yards. With 10:51 remaining in the second, Graham connected with Caleb Hall on a 12-yard pass to the Lions 10.  Thackerson came around the right side to score with 10:51 remaining in the second quarter.  The Bulldogs padded their lead with a 7-play drive for 63 yards.  With 5:40 remaining in the half, Sebastian Totherow charged into the endzone with 5:40 remaining in the first half.  Crossville drove down the field for 80-yards in 10 plays.  Ethan Tully caught three passes to make it first-and-goal on the 1.  Hunter Haston, scored on a quarterback keeper.  The extra-point attempt by Eli Borja made the score going into the half, 21-7.

Geraldine scored three touchdowns, in the third,  to ensure the Bulldog victory. Hall returned the kickoff in the second half 78 yards  after a late hit penalty by Crossville, Anthony Baldwin scored from the 1.  The kick by Garcia gave the Bulldogs the 28-7 advantage.  With 8:01,remaining in the third,  Totherow found the endzone again for Bulldogs from the 6 yard line. After a fumble, Geraldine raced down the field for 53 yards with 3:07 left in the third.  

With 11:33 remaining in the game, Geraldine’s Tyler Satterfield scored their final touchdown of the night on a 12-yard gallop into the endzone. The extra point by Garcia was good, making the score 49-7.  Crossville scored their second touchdown of the night with 7:05 remaining in the game with a 44-yard rampage down the field by Kolby Lesley. The PAT was no good.  

DJ Graham finished with 5-of-8 passing for105 yards and two touchdowns. Kyle Thackerson had three receptions, six carries for 55 yards and one touchdown.  Caleb Hall had 7 carried for 80 yards.  Anthony Baldwin had nine carries for 53 yards and two touchdowns. 

" We have a lot to work on but I was really proud of the guys effort. We lost a couple of guys early in the game due to injury and it put some players in places that they were somewhat unfamiliar with but they were able to get the job done," said Geraldine Head Coach Brad Waldrop.

The Geraldine Bulldogs will host the Fyffe Red Devils on Friday.  The Crossville Lions will travel to take on the Collinsville Panthers.