EARLY MISTAKES COST BULLDOGS IN SCRIMMAGE
Football - August 22, 2008
In their final preseason scrimmage of the season the 2008 Fairdale football team got off to a bad start. A strong defensive effort on the opening series of the game forced a fumble on the third play from scrimmage by Bullitt Central. Taking over on their own 29 yard line the Dogs managed just 5 yards before first year kicker Martin Gonzalez came onto the field for his first field goal attempt. The 42 yard attempt was blocked by the Cougars and returned 75 yards for the opening touchdown of the game less than three minutes into play. The next offensive series had much better results for the Dogs as the drove 67 yards on seven plays before quarterback Bradley Vincent scored on a five yard run. The extra point attempt following the touchdown was also blocked by the Cougars.

The special teams disaster continued for the Bulldogs on the ensuing kickoff as Bullitt Central extened their lead to 14-7 with a 76 yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The Dogs opened their next drive with a 35 yard strike from Vincent to Jason Spalding before the drive stalled and Fairdale turned the ball over on downs. The Fairdale defense stepped up again forcing a third straight three-and-out series. The Dogs found themselves backed up to the Bullitt Central 5 yard line on their next drive as they were forced to punt giving the Cougars the ball at mid-field. The Dogs again held Bullitt Central to just three plays before forcing the second Cougar punt. The ensuing Fairdale drive went 47 yards before the Dogs again turned the ball over on downs with 5:22 remaining in the half. The Cougars drove 69 yards on just four plays scoring on a 1 yard run with 3:36 remaining in the game. The Dogs found themselves in a similar situation with just over one minute remaining in play as they faced a 4th and 9 before turning the ball over on downs again following an 11 yard sack by the Cougars. Bullitt Central ran out a remainder of the first half after not converting a first down.

The Fairdale offense had the same problems as they opened the second half with a 46 yard drive that stalled at their own 13 yard line without a score. The Fairdale defense again forced three-and-out drives on the first two Bullitt Central posessions. On the Dogs second posession of the half they finally got their second score of the game on a Johnny Crook 19 yard run. The two-point conversion failed as quarterback Bradley Vincent was sacked in the backfield. The Fairdale offense continued to sputter during the remainder second half not finding the end zone. Mid-way through the fourth quarter the Dogs again were stranded deep in Bullitt Central territory. The Cougars capitalized on the Fairdale mistakes scoring on a 16 yard run on the first play of their next drive extending their lead to 28-12. The Dogs looked ready to respons with a 40 yard pass to Marvin McAtee before the ball squirted looose and was recovered by Bullitt Central. From there the Cougars ranout the remaining 3:06 on the game clock.

The Bulldog offensive attack was led by Bradley Vincent with 183 passing yards on 12 completions and 32 rushing yards on 21 carries. Johnny Crook led the rushing attack for the Dogs with 49 yards on 12 carries and Michael O'Gorman added 32 yards. Marvin McAtee led the Fairdale receiving corp with 4 catches for 102 yards. Johnny Crook and Michael O'Gorman led the Fairdale defense with 5 tackles each.

The Dogs open the regular-season on Friday when they travel to take on Male. Last season Male handed Fairdale a 50-7 defeat at George Greschel Stadium.