Bulldogs return to winning ways

September 21, 2007 11:14 pm

— The Batesville Bulldogs snapped a two game losing streak Friday with a win on the road in conference play.
The Bulldogs fell behind early in the second quarter then scored 28 unanswered points to record a 34-7 victory over the host Lawrenceburg Tigers on homecoming night.
Batesville head coach Eric Heppner knew it was time to rely more on running back Jeremy Cook.
“We knew we had to make him more of a presence on offense,” Heppner said. “But we also knew that meant we needed to get him some breaks on defense.
“We were able to do that tonight and it paid off,” Heppner added.
The senior leader did not disappoint anyone witth the added responsibilities on offense.
Cook returned the opening kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown only to have it called back by a penalty.
It did not matter much because the Bulldogs turned around and scored five plays later. Cook took the hand off from quarterback Ryan Hartman and scampered 41 yards to put the Bulldogs on top.
The Tigers capitalized on a Matt Werner fumble late in the first quarter. A 10-play drive, which began at the 1:15 mark in the first quarter, was capped by a two yard run from Sean Snider. Lawrenceburg’s Jared Reynolds made the extra point and the Tigers were in front 7-6.
The touchdown must have triggered something on the Batesville sideline because from that point the Tigers never threatened.
Hartman converted a key fourth down play on the Bulldogs’ next possession. Needing only two yards with the ball at the 45 yard line, Hartman broke in the open and found himself downfield 31 yards later just outside the Lawrenceburg 20 yard line.
After a two consecutive 11 yard carries around the left side by Cook, Hartman muscled his way in the from two yards out. Gordon Lang added the two point conversion and the Bulldogs went up 14-7.
The Bulldogs closed out the first half with a 22-7 lead when Hartman connected on three consecutive pass plays to three different receivers. A 57 pass and catch to Cook was followed by a 13 yard pass play to Bobby Thornsberry. The score came on a 23 yard pass to Kyle Zimmerle.
The Tigers regrouped at halftime and pounded the ball down the field against a struggling Batesville defense. Snyder carried the ball eight consecutive times as the Tigers found themselves inside Batesville territory.
But a fumbled snap on a fourth down play turned the ball back over the Bulldogs at the 12 yard line with 5:50 to play in the third quarter.
Six plays later Cook scored from 17 yards out to make it a 28-7 game. The drive was highlighted by a 29 yard run by Lang followed by a 23 carry from Cook.
The final touchdown of the game came on a 38 yard run by Cook early in the fourth quarter.
Cook finished the game with 174 yards on 11 carries and caught one pass for 57 yards.
“As a group I thought they were ready to play tonight,” Heppner said. “Our run blocking is worlds better from where we started the season.
“Defensively, we still need to get better. We just gave up too many yards ... we will get back to work on Monday,” he added.
The Bulldogs (4-2) get back to action Friday night when they travel to Greensburg. The next home game is Friday, Oct. 5, when they host the Franklin County Wildcats.

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