The Mary Persons Bulldogs opened their 2023 season against the Northeast Raiders at the Macon Touchdown Club Kickoff Classic that resulted in a Bulldogs victory 20-14 at Mercer University. The game featured several flags and plenty of chippy moments. The first quarter saw Mary Persons force multiple turnovers but failed to score anything as the first quarter went scoreless
The Black, Gold, and White struck first when Duke Watson ran the rock in from 3 yds out for a touchdown and the PAT made it 7-0 Mary Persons with 5:44 left in the first half. The Raiders responded with a 1 yd touchdown run and the 2 pt try put Northeast up 8-7 with 1:59 left in the first half which would be the halftime score.
Northeast held the ball for about 10 of 12 minutes in the third quarter and scored a 17 yd rush touchdown and extended their lead to 14-7 after the failed PAT as time expired in the 3rd. The Bulldogs responded quickly when Duke Watson broke open and scampered for a 59 yd rush touchdown and the PAT tied the game at 14 a piece with 11:16 to go in the contest.
The Raiders muffed a punt that went over the kicker’s head and he air kicked the ball and Mary Persons recovered it in the endzone for the go-ahead and game winning touchdown to go up 20-14 with 9:02 remaining in the game after the failed PAT. The Black, Gold, and White held Northeast at bay to pick up the 20-14 win.
Mary Persons starts off at 1-0 on the season and will travel to take on Spalding next Friday while Northeast falls to 0-1 and will have the week off next week before traveling to Fitzgerald on September 1st.
