The Middle College High School Bulldogs are champs of Class A Region 8 after a convincing 30-8 win over Booker T. Washington High School Oct. 21 at Crump Stadium.
With each team carrying unblemished records into their matchup, the Bulldogs (8-0 overall, 4-0 district) emerged victors with their sights on advancing deeper into the playoffs than last season. The Warriors were 3-0 in district, but 3-4 overall entering the game.
The Bulldogs scored all of their points in the first half. The ground-and-pound style of the Bulldogs was led by Keevon Ransfer with 65 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Michael Mason had 43 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown. Middle College rushed for 127 total rushing yards, with most coming in the first half. Sophomore quarterback Matthew Keller threw for a touchdown.
Unable to get going in the first half, the Warriors held the opening possession for nearly six minutes, but they were unable to capitalize, fumbling on the six-yard line.
The Warriors (now 3-5, 3-1) were led by senior running back Jimal Oliver with 66 rushing yards. The Warriors only had 96 rushing yards and 91 passing yards in the game.
“I thought our boys fought hard for the most part,” said Warriors head coach Aubrey Phillips. “There were a couple of questionable calls against us. I am proud of them win or lose. They left it all on the field.”
One of the key plays in the game was a missed called by the referees. A punt by BTW was touched by a Bulldog player, who fumbled the ball. It was recovered by BTW, but the ball was awarded to Middle College.
Middle College head coach LeNorris Staples said, “I am very proud of our guys. I have an amazing coaching staff. They set the goal of winning back-to-back Regional Championships this year and went out and did it.”
Now comes the task of keeping the team sharp for the playoffs.
“I have to keep them focused day to day and week to week,” said Staples. “We are trying to get some guys back to being healthy. Our star running back Antonyous Moore did not play this game. Hopefully, we will get him back next week.”
According to Staples, getting healthy and staying focused is what it will take for the Bulldogs to make it to the state championship.
What’s next
- Middle College will close out the regular season on the road against Middleton (0-7) on Friday (Oct. 29).
- BTW will host Westwood (1-6) on Thursday (Oct 28) before starting the playoffs.
