FORT BENNING, Ga., (Oct. 2, 2013) -- While the Fort Benning Bengals couldn't do anything about the sloppy field conditions Thursday against the Clubview Bulldogs, they did overcome a sluggish start en route to a 34-0 win at Lakebottom, the team's second consecutive shutout.
"The first half was very sloppy ... very ugly," Bengals coach Travis Washington said. "Very ugly."
It appeared the Bengals would get off to a quick start after Jarod Wilson returned the opening kickoff 70 yards for a touchdown and a 6-0 lead, but following the touchdown, the Bengals bogged down.
Both teams were unable to mount substantial drives for three more possessions, but with the half winding down, the Bengals defense created a turnover on an interception return for a touchdown by Blaze Lollar to put the Bengals up 12-0.
"The defense stepped up again once again," Washington said. "I knew they could. Like I said last week, I think they are the best defense in the league. They were anchored by our captains, Tyler (Washington), Kywan (Woods) and Dishaun (Woods)."
Following the halftime intermission, the Bengals picked up where they left off by scoring on their first play from scrimmage after holding the Bulldogs on their opening second half possession. On the scoring play, Kywan ripped off a 17-yard touchdown run to put the Bengals ahead 18-0, and with Dishaun adding the one-point conversion, led 19-0.
Following an exchange of possessions, the Bengals struck quickly again. One first-and-10 from the Bulldogs 49-yard line, Kywan scored his second touchdown of the game, going the distance for a 25-0 lead. Kywan stuffed the ball into the end zone for the 2-point conversion to give the Bengals a 27-0 lead as time expired in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs had the ball two more times in the fourth quarter, but the Bengals defense turned back the Bulldogs on fourth down on it first possession and Angel Rainriez intercepted a pass on the second possession to squash any further scoring threats.
Dishaun added one more touchdown for the Bengals from 6 yards out and Kywan added the one-point conversion to round our the scoring with 3:20 remaining in the game, giving the Bengals their second shutout of the season.
Washington attributed the win to the players ability to bounce back after a sluggish start and the coaches ability to keep the team focused.
"The coaches got everyone where they were supposed to be," he said, "and the coaches got them calmed down at halftime and we came out in the second half and did what we needed to do."
Washington said he felt the players focused too much on other things, rather than just playing football, which also attributed to the slow start.
"I think at the beginning they were more worried about the condition of the field instead of going out and playing Bengals football like they were supposed to," he said. "There was a lot of confusion with the center and the quarterback ... but we got it fixed at halftime."
The Bengals played their second game within a two-day span Saturday when they took on the Northeast Packers, which they beat in convincing fashion 64-0 to record their third consecutive shutout of the season.
"We played great, as usual," Washington said. "The defense played well, which allowed 25-0 lead. Kywan stuffed the ball into the end zone for the 2-point conversion to give the Bengals a 27-0 lead as time expired in the third quarter.
The Bulldogs had the ball two more times in the fourth quarter, but the Bengals defense turned back the Bulldogs on fourth down on it first possession and Angel Ramirez intercepted a pass on the second possession to squash any further scoring threats.
Dishaun added one more touchdown for the Bengals from 6 yards out and Kywan added the one-point conversion to round out the scoring with 3:20 remaining in the game, giving the Bengals their second shutout of the season.
Washington attributed the win to the players' ability to bounce back after a sluggish start and the coaches' ability to keep the team focused.
"The coaches got everyone where they were supposed to be," he said, "and the coaches got them calmed down at halftime and we came out in the second half and did what we needed to do."
Washington said he felt the players focused too much on other things, rather than just playing football, which also attributed to the slow start.
"I think at the beginning they were more worried about the condition of the field instead of going out and playing Bengals football like they were supposed to," he said. "There was a lot of confusion with the center and the quarterback ... but we got it fixed at halftime."
The Bengals played their second game within a two-day span Saturday when they took on the Northeast Packers, which they beat in convincing fashion 64-0 to record their third consecutive shutout of the season.
"We played great, as usual," Washington said. "The defense played well, which allowed us to play the second string a lot more."
Washington said the big margins of victory have allowed his second string to get a lot more game experience, which will help down the road by allowing his starters rest and giving the second stringers more experience should they have to step in and play against some of the stronger teams, which they will face in the upcoming weeks.
The Bengals will face Eastway Thursday and Phenix City Saturday.
"Eastway is the defending champion," Washington said. "So, they are by far going to be our biggest test. On Saturday we face Phenix City, which is probably the second hardest match up we will play."
Social Sharing