Brendan Sano picked a good night to set a new career-high in total yards.
The 62-46 final score may seem like a comfortable win, but the Bulldogs were fortunate to have their offense produce as many game breaking plays as it did.
After a dropped pass on fourth down in the redzone ended Meigs’ opening drive, the Marauders gashed the Athens defense repeatedly, scoring on four straight drives. Sano was back at defensive end tonight to try to prevent big plays, but that didn’t stop Meigs from producing 11 plays of 20 or more yards.
“They just had a lot of misdirection going, and we were just getting a little bit too antsy out there,” Sano said. “Flowing to the ball a little too hard and getting tricked, I guess, would be the best way to put it.”
The Bulldogs didn’t take their first lead until the last few seconds of the first half, but they never relinquished it after that. Although, coach Ryan Adams never felt the lead was particularly safe.
“I never felt like there was any room for breathing in this ball game,” Adams said. “I knew that it was a deal where they were gonna be able to score. Big plays, that’s been their M.O. all year long, and we certainly have had our fair share of giving up the big play.”
The secondary was abused at times Friday night, but they at least appeared to be learning from their mistakes. Meigs’ deep passing game gradually became less effective, and the defensive backs made plays on the ball.
“(The defensive backs) are the most exposed position out here,” Adams said. “Every time they make a mistake, everybody sees it. It’s really hard on the psyche of a high school kid when you get scored in big games and things like that. I think our guys did a really nice job of just moving on to the next play and making something happen.”
The most glaring concern was Athens' difficulty with Meigs running back Zach Bartrum, who shredded the Bulldogs for three touchdowns. Adams said Bartrum’s speedy, shifty nature was a poor matchup for the Athens defense, and it was apparent most of the night. Adams considered having cornerback Treyce Albin shadow Bartrum but decided against it when Athens went up two scores.
Eventually, the Athens defense stiffened when it needed to. Holding a 55-46 lead late in the fourth quarter, the defense came up with an interception and two more stops.
“I think at the end of the game, it’s just that guys start to sniff the win a little bit, get a little extra juice going, and just play a little bit better,” Sano said.
The defensive performance Friday night was sufficient against Meigs, but the offense won’t always have 62 points on standby. The closer they get to the playoffs, the more the chunk plays Athens tends to allow will be a detriment.
