It was supposed to be the game of the season.
It was supposed to be two of the state’s Top 10 teams going head-to-head in a neck-and-neck battle.
But the fireworks that were anticipated leading up to the No. 6 Dove Creek Bulldogs hosting the No. 4 Sargent Farmers turned out be little more than a flicker.
The Bulldogs started the game with an onside kick and scored just plays later on a 32-yd touchdown pass from Jordan Ernst to Colin Hobbs to jump out to an early 6-0 lead.
But senior Case Baughman went down with a knee injury on the drive and didn’t return, and the energy in the stands slowly began to drain away.
Averaging over 100 yards rushing per game and leading the team in receiving yards, his absence was felt on the offense for the rest of the contest.
As the team’s leading tackler, he was missed even more on defense.
Dove Creek was aware of the Farmers’ speed, and Baughman would have helped.
Sargent scored in just two plays to tie the score at 6-6 with just over eight minutes left in the first quarter, and struck again on its second possession with a 68-yard touchdown rush by Cordell Curtis.
After a Dove Creek punt, the Farmers – who had success on the ground – went to the air and scored on a 60-yard pass.
Then, after intercepting Jordan Ernst and taking over in Dove Creek territory, the Farmers found the end zone in one play, on a 24-yard rush by quarterback Ryan Davis.
Sargent junior Justin Hacsi picked off Ernst again the next drive, leading to another rushing score for the Farmers, who led at halftime, 30-6.
The Dove Creek defense was able to contain the Farmers’ speed in the second half and limit their ability to get the edge on outside runs.
The Bulldogs also forced a fumble, and Ernst picked off Davis to give Dove Creek extra possessions.
After finding limited success on the ground in the first half, and trailing by 24, the Dove Creek offense went to the air.
Ernst spread the ball around, connecting with Ricky Adams and Colin Hobbs multiple times.
In the third quarter, Ernst hit Adams for touchdown to narrow the gap to 12-30.
Then, in the fourth, he found Shane Fury for another score, to make it 18-30.
However, Ernst was picked off on the next drive, and the Farmers ran out the clock for the 30-18 win.
