Westmoreland – In a game that was marred early by penalties, miscues and maybe even some butterflies, the Dolgeville Blue Devils persevered, went into the “Dawg Pound” at Westmoreland hungry and came away with a key opening day Section III, Class “D” East win over rival Westmoreland, by a score of 42-21.
Aisan Claus looked a little like a high school version of Tim Tebow (before he turned pro) as the spunky junior quarterback gave misdirection a new definition, scampering for three scores to lead the Blue Devils offense.
The Devils built a commanding 28-0 lead at the half over the home standing Bulldogs, who were playing in front of the always big contingent of local fans.
Dolgeville’s Cole Harlow (34) lunges for a second quarter first down as Westmo defender Dominick Russello (20) looks for a stop. (Photo By – Jeff Pexton – Perfect Game Imaging)
Had it not been for a huge defensive stop midway through the second quarter, where the Westmo defense stopped Dolgeville four straight times from inside the 8 yard line, the score would have been 35 – zip at the intermission.
Westmoreland came out with a very different level of tenacity in the early going of the second half and that fire burned brightly when senior tailback Noah Bowen, capped the longest Westmoreland drive of the day with a 9 yard touchdown run with 9:11 remaining in the 3rd quarter. The extra point pulled the home club to within 28-7.
Westmoreland recovered a Dolgeville fumble on the ensuing possession and Bowen made it hurt. The big fella took a hand off from quarterback Colin DeBiase and dashed 37 yards down the right sideline for his second touchdown in as many possessions. After another Dawson Cook extra point, the Bulldogs had cut the lead to 28-14, with 6:45 to go in the 3rd frame.
Westmoreland’s Noah Bowen (21) heads for the end zone early in the 3rd quarter. (Photo By – Jeff Pexton – Perfect Game Imaging)
After that, a long, clock eating, sustained possession by Dolgeville was capped by a 1 yard touchdown run by Cole Harlow and after a failed two point conversion the Devils were back to an 20 point advantage at 34-14, with just :40 remaining in the 3rd quarter.
The 4th quarer saw the two Class “D” East rivals trade touchdowns and two point conversions. Dolgeville struck first on a Riley Nagle 9 yard touchdown run. Westmoreland got a defensive touchdown from, you guessed it, Noah Bowen, who picked up a Dolgeville fumble and rambled 29 yards for the final touchdown of the game.
Aisan Claus led the Dolgeville ground attack with 93 yards on 15 carries and 3 touchdowns. Cole Harlow carried the rock 21 times for 88 yards and 2 scores out of the Blue Devils backfield.
Westmoreland quarterback Colin DeBiase (13) scrambles away from Dolgeville’s Chase Doxtader (31) during 3rd quarter action. (Photo By – Jeff Pexton – Perfect Game Imaging)
Westmoreland was led by Noah Bowen, who ran the ball 9 times for 96 yards and two touchdowns.
It won’t get any easier for Westmoreland (0-1) next Saturday, as the Bulldogs will need to regroup in a hurry as they travel to West Canada Valley, a 33-7 winner over Herkimer today.
Dolgeville’s Devin Gorinshek (32) works for extra yards as Westmoreland’s Jacob Crandall (2) works to bring him down. (Photo By – Jeff Pexton – Perfect Game Imaging).
Dolgeville (1-0) meanwhile, will look to stay atop the “D” East standings when they travel to Sauquoit Valley, a 34-0 loser at Mt. Markham on Friday night.
Scoring:
- Dolgeville — Aasin Claus 6 run (Cole Harlow run)
- Dolgeville — Aasin Claus 1 run (run failed)
- Dolgeville — Aasin Claus 2 run (run failed)
- Dolgeville — Chase Doxtader 38 run (Aasin Claus run)
- Westmoreland — Noah Bowen 9 run (Dawson Cook kick)
- Westmoreland — Noah Bowen 37 run (Dawson Cook kick)
- Dolgeville — Cole Harlow 1 run (run failed)
- Dolgeville — Riley Nagle 9 run (Doxtader pass from Nagle)
- Westmoreland — Noah Bowen 29 fumble recovery (Dawson Cook kick)
