Rabbits fall to Jefferson Bulldogs, 49-29

Tragically for Atlanta, it looks like their homecoming victory against Sabine was not a sign of their luck changing after losing to Jefferson by a score of 49-29.

Jefferson played well the entire game, with the Bulldogs gaining more points in every quarter up until the fourth quarter, with it being too little, too late for the Rabbs.

This loss brings Atlanta’s season record to 3-4, 1-1.

First Quarter

Atlanta, winning the coin toss, chose to defer to the second half. Jefferson started the game off with an early touchdown, followed by a successful extra point. From here, the teams remained evenly matched, with the score staying at 7-0 until the second quarter.

Second Quarter

Not too far into the second quarter, Peyton Harrison managed to score Atlanta a 3-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful extra point by Jaiden Riley, tying the score at 7-7. Unfortunately for the Rabbits, they were unable to score any more points for the rest of the second quarter.

Intent to keep their lead, Jefferson responded with a touchdown and an extra point, bringing the score to 14-7.

Keeping this momentum going, the Bulldogs then scored another touchdown with another successful extra point that brought the score to 21-7, where it would remain until the third quarter.

Third Quarter

Atlanta started the third quarter with a promising first play touchdown, scored by Riley off a 71-yard pass from Harrison followed by another extra point by Riley, making the score 21-14. Like the second quarter, these would end up being the only points scored by the Rabbits in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs retaliated with an immediate touchdown following Atlanta’s from an 80-yard kick return, followed by a successful extra point, making the score 28-14.

After a little bit of back-and-forth between the two teams, Jefferson then scored another touchdown along with an extra point, bringing the score to 3514.

Jefferson then cemented their lead by capping the quarter off with another touchdown and extra point, making 42-14 the final score for the third quarter.

Fourth Quarter

Atlanta saw their most success this game during the fourth quarter, starting with an early touchdown by Riley on a 25-yard pass by Harrison, followed by an extra point from Riley, bringing the score to 42-21. After some more back-and-forth, Jefferson scored their last touchdown of the game along with an extra point, bringing the score to 49-21.

While not enough to win the game, the Rabbits managed to score one last time before the game’s end, on a 6-yard touchdown run by Riley that was followed by a successful 2-point conversion from Harrison, making the game’s final score 49-29.

Harrison was 12-of-20 passing for 209 yards and three touchdowns, Jamarion Austin rushed for 138 yards on 19 carries with a score and Riley pulled in 123 receiving yards with three touchdowns.

Defensively, Dimoree Limbrick had 11 solo tackles and 13 total tackles, Marshawn Woodberry had five solo tackles and eight overall and Chris Hale recorded five solo tackles.

This Friday night, Oct. 20, we’ll see if Atlanta can get another win as they face off against White Oak for another home game.

Before the game the three 2023 inductees will be entered into the Atlanta Sports Hall of Fame. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.