Atlanta falls to Jefferson in district match up

Atlanta and Jefferson entered this match up with a combined 9-1 record and the game lived up to the billing in the first half.

Penalties and turnovers plagued the Rabbits in the second half as the Bulldogs went on to win the game 43-14.

First Quarter

Atlanta won the coin toss and deferred to the second half.

Jefferson found tough resistance on its first drive of the night from the Rabbit defense as they were unable to move the ball at will.

The Bulldogs did convert a big fourth down on the drive and two plays later scored on a long pass play.

The point after was successful and the Bulldogs were up 7-0 with 9:35 left in the first quarter.

Atlanta jumped out to a good start on its first drive of the contest as Markeylin Batton picked up some tough yards on the ground before quarterback Peyton Harrison hit DC Range for 19 yards.

Atlanta turned the ball over on downs a few plays later, but the defense forced Jefferson into a quick three-and-out on its next drive.

Batton picked up a tough three yards on the first snap and then Harrison hit Jayden Riley on a nice slant pass in stride for a 67-yard score.

Chris Whaley hit the PAT and the game was tied at 7-7 with 5:10 left in the first frame.

Jefferson had a nice return on the kickoff into Rabbit territory and started out its next drive at the Atlanta 45.

The Bulldogs put together a 13-play drive which took them deep into Rabbit country but the Rabbit defense stood tall and forced a turnover on downs.

Time ran out on the quarter with the Rabbs running the ball.

Second Quarter

Two plays into the new quarter Harrison almost hit Batton on a wide-open play but the ball was picked off by the Bulldogs.

Jefferson scored at the 9:21 mark on a short TD run but the XP was blocked by the Rabbits to keep the score at 13-7.

The teams traded possessions for a bit and at one point Harrison returned the favor as he picked off a pass on the defensive side of the ball.

Atlanta turned the ball over on downs near midfield at one point but a strong stand by the Rabbit defense and a huge sack by Eli Mitchell forced a punt by the Bulldogs with 2:37 left in the first half.

The punt came off the side of the punter’s foot and actually took a Rabbit bounce backwards into Bulldog territory to the 39.

Batton took the initial handoff and picked up five yards before Harrison picked up 10 of his own.

Facing third-down-and-10 a few plays later; Harrison made a nice TD pass to Whaley who caught the ball falling down between two defenders.

Whaley then hit the PAT and the Rabbs were up 14-13 with 29 seconds left on the clock.

The quarter ended after a Jefferson pass play for nine yards.

Third Quarter

The second half began with the Rabbs fumbling the ball away to Jefferson on the kickoff.

Atlanta’s defense forced a turnover seven plays into the drive but a questionable pass interference call gave the Bulldogs new life at the Rabbit 3-yard line.

Jefferson scored three plays later to take a 20-24 lead after the successful PAT with 8:57 left in the third quarter.

Atlanta’s next two plays resulted in punts and Jefferson scored on both of its drives to set the score at 33-14.

The quarter ended with an interception and the Bulldogs moving the rock.

Fourth Quarter

The final frame opened with the Bulldogs nailing a field goal to increase its lead to 36-14 with 10:39 left in the game.

Atlanta punted on its next three drives and Jefferson scored once more to make the final 43-14.

Harrison threw for 141 yards with two touchdowns and picked up 16 yards rushing.

Riley had 70 yards receiving with a score, Whaley added 24 yards receiving with a TD and Range had 19 yards receiving.

Defensively, Landon Johnson had 14 tackles, Eli Mitchell 10, Dailen Collins seven, including a sack, Harrison six, Kayden Linwood five and Riley, Sye Stroman, Zamarian Ivery, Kheaton Kinney, Kam Williams and Drae Simmons each had four tackles.

The Rabbs (4-2, 1-1) will take on the Sabine Cardinals (2-4, 0-2) at 7 p.m. this Friday, Oct. 11, at Atlanta Rabbit Stadium.

The Cardinals have lost four in a row coming into this match up and fell to Gladewater last week by a score of 49-14.

Before the game begins the Atlanta Athletics Hall of Fame will induct three more former Atlanta athletes as part of the Class of 2024.

The ceremony will begin between 6:15 and 6:30 p.m.