Queen City Bulldogs top Rivercrest, 26-18

Queen City won its fourth consecutive opening season game this past Friday night as the Bulldogs outpaced Rivercrest 28-16.

The game was tight throughout and wasn’t without its share of abnormalities.

First Quarter

The teams traded possessions until the 7:31 mark when senior running back Delvon Federick bolted into the endzone from four yards out. The 2-point run was no good but QC was up 6-0.

Leading up to that point the Bulldogs moved the ball efficiently with nice runs by junior quarterback Hunter Parker and sophomore running back Jason Joffray.

Parker also connected with wideout Rylee Green and tight end Kaden Satterfield.

Turnovers plagued both teams early as is sometimes expected with first-game jitters.

After the score, Rivercrest met up with a solid defensive front led by Messiah Grundy, Mason Stringer, Ke’Idie Harrison, Lathan Chamblee and DJ Henson.

Three plays into the drive and Henson pulled in an interception giving the Bulldogs the ball back its own 40-yard line.

Parker connected with Malaki Richardson on a 29-yard gain to open the drive, but a questionable penalty against the Bulldogs on the next play erased nearly half of what was gained before.

Runs by Parker and Federick chipped away at the yardage needed for a first down but an incomplete pass on third-and-long put the Bulldogs in punt formation.

The Rebels didn’t fare any better on its next drive as Richardson snagged an interception of his own and the Bulldogs set up shop at its own 37.

QC’s next drive was a long one that spanned two quarters.

Working from the 27, Parker connected with Green for 18 yards, Brayden Wiley for 20 and Grundy for eight before time expired on the quarter.

Second Quarter

Parker opened the second frame with a 12-yard pass to Kaleb Francisco and followed that with an 8-yard strike to Federick.

Federick took the ball for a 4-yard gain before bolting 10 yards into the endzone for a score.

Parker in the 2-point conversion and QC was up 14-0 with 10:12 left in the first half.

The Bulldog defense continued its stingy play until Rivercrest completed a big pass play on third-andlong.

Six plays later and the Rebels scored on a run play from the 1-yard line. The 2-point play failed but Rivercrest cut the Bulldog lead to 14-6 with 6:50 remaining in the second quarter.

QC kept up in the passing game on its next drive as Parker hit Green for 37 yards, but a turnover on the next play ended the drive.

Rivercrest converted another big pass play on third-and-long during its next drive and eventually scored with 3:25 left on the clock.

The 2-point play was no good and QC clung to a 14-12 lead.

Sophomore tailback Jason Joffray handled the first three run plays of the next Bulldog drive and picked up 26 yards total.

Parker added 19 yards on the ground and connected with Green on an 11-yard pass play before Federick ended the drive with a 7-yard scramble into the endzone.

The 2-point play was no good but the Bulldogs increased its lead to 20-12 with 49 seconds remaining.

Third Quarter

Both teams traded possessions until the 4:31 mark when a high snap over Parker’s head resulted in a Rivercrest recovery of the ball in the endzone.

The 2-point play was no good but the Rebels cut the lead to 20-18. That would be the only score of the quarter.

Queen City started its next drive from the 36-yard line. Parker hit Green for 23 yards and Joffray for two yards before time expired on the half.

Fourth Quarter

The Bulldogs continued its march towards the goal line as Joffray picked up eight yards on the ground to open the final quarter.

Parker connected with Green for 17 yards and Richardson for three before Federick made a short run on second down.

Facing fourth-and-10, Parker needled his way into the endzone on a nice run for a score.

The 2-point play was no good but the Bulldogs increased the lead to 26-18 with 9:16 left in the game.

Rivercrest had a little momentum going on its next drive, but great pass coverage by Henson and a fumble recovery by Stringer ended any hopes of a score.

The last eight minutes or so of the final frame was spent fighting the Rebels and referees on some calls.

Parker passing to Green along with nice runs by Joffray and Parker himself put the Bulldogs in victory formation as they ate up plenty of clock time with a 12-play drive.

The Bulldogs turned in 21 first downs to the Rebels’ eight, and the Bulldog defense allowed just 173 yards total while the offense racked up 392.

Parker, making his first start for the Bulldogs, was responsible for 285 passing yards and a two-point conversion.

Federick contributed three touchdowns and Green contributed greatly to the Bulldog effort with 142 yards receiving on eleven catches including a key catch on a third-and-19 which allowed the Bulldogs to run out the clock and secure the victory.

The Bulldogs host New Boston this Friday night, Sept. 1, with kickoff slated for 7 p.m.

In addition, the Little Bulldogs will be honored during the game on Little Bulldog Night.

(Stats and summary provided by Stuart Proctor/ QC ISD).