Wheeler Co. Into Top 10
The Bulldogs football team of Wheeler County High School kicked off the season on Friday night at home with a win over Georgia Military. The Bulldogs got a big night from freshman Alvin Ricks on the way to a 42-14 victory.
Ricks set the tone for the game on the opening kickoff. It was his first high school play and he took the kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. They tacked on the extra point to lead 7-0 over GMC.
GMC answered with a long, 69-yard touchdown pass with 10 minutes left in the first. They added the extra point to tie the game at 7-7. The Bulldogs added another touchdown in the first quarter with less than a minute on the clock on a 5-yard run. With the extra point Wheeler was on top 14-7.
Early in the second quarter GMC tied the game at 14-14 after a 20-yard touchdown run. Wheeler took the lead back on a 1-yard run to cap off a drive by Jason Culver. With the extra point from Joshua Juarez, Wheeler was on top 21-14.
Wheeler extended their lead with five minutes left in the half on a touchdown run by Ricks. Juarez added the PAT for a 28-14 lead. With four minutes on the clock Wheeler put another score on the board on a 2-yard run by Ricks. Juarez tacked on the extra point to lead 35-14.
Wheeler scored one more time in the first half of the game on another touchdown by Ricks. This time on a 39-yard reception from Rhett Rodgers with less than a minute on the clock. That was set up by a blocked punt by the Wheeler special teams. This time Justin Culver added the extra point for a 42-14 lead.
In the second half of the game neither team put much together as they exchanged several punts. Wheeler held on to get the win, 42-14.
Jason Culver led the team with 101 yards rushing and two touchdowns, while Ricks had 89 yards and three touchdowns. Ricks also added three sacks on defense and a fumble recovery. Justin Culver also had three sacks on defense.
The win moves Wheeler into the top 10 in the state in Division 2 of Single A. Wheeler moves up to #8 in the state, and this is the first time Wheeler has been in the top 10 since 1998.
This week Wheeler will travel over to Lyons to take on the Bulldogs of Toombs County High School in The Pit at 8:00 p.m.
