The Harlem Bulldogs stay at the top of the region after defeating the Academy of Richmond County 35-14 on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Harlem pushed ahead 14-0 in the first quarter after rushing touchdowns by Malik Tyler and freshman fullback Keaton Tillery.
The Bulldogs would turn over the ball early in the second quarter, but the defense continued to hold the Musketeers out of the end zone. Joseph Clark helped Harlem gain a 21-0 lead by catching a swing pass from quarterback Mercer Barton for a 22-yard touchdown.
Harlem was forced to punt on the first drive of second half and the Musketeers scored their first touchdown of the game on a 7-yard pass to Emon Glenn from quarterback Carson Hand, making the score 21-7 after the extra point.
The Musketeers earned their second interception of the game as well as a touchdown after a long 70-yard touchdown catch from Lo’than McBride to end the third quarter
Harlem Coach Mark Boiter was not happy about his team’s performance to start the second half.
“We got to do a better job starting second half when we have the lead and continue to be aggressive and on not take our foot off the gas,” he said.
After a big team huddle, the Bulldogs were able to bounce back in the fourth and bring back the rushing attack from the first quarter.
Tillery earned his second rushing touchdown of the game to push the Bulldogs head 28-14 early in the fourth. Tahji Hale put the game out of reach with a short rushing touchdown of his own late in fourth.
“Our guys responded well in the fourth quarter and we got a big win tonight,” said Coach Boiter.
The Bulldogs improved their record to 8-1 overall and 6-1 in 4-AAA.
Harlem came into the season having to replace some upperclassmen, which included former quarterback Ethan Evangelista. The Bulldogs have experimented a few quarterbacks this season, but thinks they may have found their permanent starter in junior Mercer Barton.
“We have played multiple quarterbacks this year after Ethan Evangelista graduated last year. Mercer has stepped up in a big way, leading our team and he is getting better and better every week,” he said.
Despite it being late in the season and the impressive record, the Bulldogs head coach still feels Harlem has not maximized their potential.
“We’ve played nine games, and I still don’t think we’ve played as good of a game as were capable of playing in all three phases. I think we will be a dangerous team once we put it all together,” he said.
Harlem finishes the regular season against another region foe Hephzibah on Saturday, Nov. 9. Harlem sits at the top of Region 4-AAA with Hephzibah at the bottom of the charts with a winless region record. Tuesday’s game wrapped up the season for the Musketeers.
Christopher Rickerson, an Augusta University graduate, has covered area sports for Augusta University, The Augusta Press and Augusta Good News. Subscribe to the Augusta Good News newsletter here.
