Bulldogs best NHS Tigers

By By Steve Swogetinsky / special to The Star
September 11, 2004
BAY SPRINGS Senior running back Ronnie McCullum scored four touchdowns Friday night to lead the Bay Springs Bulldogs to a 26-8 victory over Newton High School.
Three of McCullum's touchdowns came on rushes while the fourth came with an 80-yard kickoff return to start the second half.
McCullum had 65 of Bay Springs 145 yards on the ground, and that was deceiving. Bay Springs led in the penalty column and several of those calls nullified gains by McCullum. The Bulldogs were called for 11 penalties at a loss of 90 yards, while the Tigers had two penalties for a loss of six yards.
Bay Springs improved to 2-1 while Newton High School fell to 0-3. Though disappointed, Tigers coach Pepper Posey said his team had plenty of time to turn things around.
While McCullum scored the points, Bulldog quarterback Terry Bobbett caused the most damage in the early stages. Bobbett would drop back in the pocket and then scramble for long gains, which threw the Tigers defense off.
Late in the first quarter, McCullum returned a punt to the Newton 23. An illegal motion penalty backed the Bulldogs up to the 28. But then McCullum responded with a nine-yard gain up the middle. Two plays later, Bobbett rushed for 11 yards to put Bay Springs on the Newton one-yard line with a first and goal.
Newton was penalized a half yard for offsides and McCullum slid into the end zone on the next play for a touchdown. The kick was no good and Bay Springs led 6-0.
McCullum scored again late in the second quarter on a one-yard run up the middle. McCullum ran in the two-point conversion and the Bulldogs held a 14-0 half time lead.
McCullum opened the second half with an 80-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The kick failed and Bay Springs led 20-0 with 11:49 left in the third quarter.
Kendrick Holder intercepted a pass late in the third quarter to set up Bay Springs final score of the night. McCullum scored on a one-yard run. The kick failed.