Bulldogs maul Douglass, 31-0; score 21 points in first quarter

Led by the rushing of senior Clay Fritscher and a relentless defense, the Fontainebleau Bulldogs shut out the Frederick Douglass Bobcats Friday night at the Dawg Pound, 31-0. Fritscher carried 13 times for 120 yards and a touchdown in the victory.

The Bulldogs scored early and often, taking a 21-0 lead by the end of the first quarter with the scores coming on a run, a pass and a defensive fumble recovery. The Bobcats were held to 6 yards of total offense, with 32 yards coming on a rush by Aquanius Freeman on the second-to-last play of the game. The run was the first time Douglass crossed midfield.

Fontainebleau’s Tony Marigny took the opening kickoff at the Bulldog 15 and returned it to the 44 after Douglass deferred the choice to the second half. Four plays and 52 yards later, Bulldog quarterback Addison Melancon handed the ball to Fritscher, who went up the middle 4 yards for the touchdown. The drive consisted of 8- and 9-yard runs by Fritscher, a 9-yard carry by Vinnie Tonagel and a 25-yard pass from Melancon to Fritscher.

After holding Douglass to a three-and-out, Fontainebleau took over at the Bobcat 25 after a 20-yard punt. An offsides penalty gave the Bulldogs a first-and-five at the 20. Anthony LaGuardia picked up 3 yards off the right side, and Fritscher gained another 4 with a run up the middle. On first-and-10 from the 13, Melancon hit LaGuardia with a pass at the 1, and LaGuardia rolled into the end zone for the touchdown. The PAT gave the Bulldogs a 14-0 lead with 6:17 left in the first quarter.

The teams exchanged punts, and the Bobcats had a first down on their 12-yard line. On third-and-nine, Bobcat quarterback Isameal Tribbit’s pitch to Desmond Haley was mishandled, and Spencer Ragas scooped up the fumble at the 1, taking it in for the third score. The extra point was good and, with 49 seconds remaining in the first, the Bulldog lead ballooned to 21-0.

Just before halftime, the Bulldogs started a drive on the Bobcat 42. On second down, Fritscher broke off a 14-yard run, followed by a 16-yard Melancon slant pass to Marigny over the middle.

However, the drive stalled on the Douglass 5, and the Dawgs settled for a 22-yard Hunter Starring field goal to give Fontainebleau a 24-0 halftime lead.

“We got a little sloppy after we got the lead,” said Bulldog head coach Gregg Hudson. “We’ve got to get more consistent on offense. We’ve got to play a complete game. Fritscher played well. He’s a big back, and the thing about him is that he runs hard and falls forward when they bring him down.”

The Bulldogs stopped Douglass on the first series of the second half and, after forcing a punt, went on a march from their 41 to the Bobcat 5.

The drive was highlighted by Fritscher runs of 17, 13, and 9 yards, but the drive stalled and the Bobcats took over on downs.

The next two Bulldog possessions resulted in turnovers, the second of which was an interception by Kendrick Mayes at the Douglass 10 that was returned to the Bobcat 43. The Bulldog defense stiffened, and Douglass had to punt from its own 29.

Late in the fourth quarter, Fontainebleau’s Kris Rice stepped in front of an Arthur Ratliff pass at the 24 and returned it down to the Bobcat 15. Four plays later back-up quarterback Jacob Black scored on a keeper from the 1. The PAT was good, and the Bulldogs led 31-0.

The Bulldogs are now 2-0 and begin district play Friday night at home against the Hammond Tornadoes.