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By SCOTT MIMS | Special to the Reporter

SYLACAUGA – Four turnovers doomed Montevallo’s chances at a second straight win to open the season, as the Bulldogs fell at the Sylacauga Aggies, 15-7, on Friday, Aug. 30 in the first-ever meeting between the teams.

The game was scoreless at halftime despite Montevallo controlling the action. Though MHS drove inside the hosts’ 25-yard line on three occasions, they were unable to convert the opportunities into points, including a missed field goal late in the first half.

The Aggies (2-0) took a 6-0 lead in the third quarter, but the visiting Bulldogs (1-1) responded with a long drive and looked to at least tie the game—until a fumble on Sylacauga’s 1-yard line gave the ball back to the Aggies.

Sylacauga converted the turnover into a field goal and a 9-0 lead.

Montevallo got on the board when quarterback Jordan Ward scampered about 50 yards for a touchdown to make it 9-7 with about seven minutes remaining in the game.

The MHS defense held and got the ball back to the offense with about five minutes left to play, but a late interception sealed the deal as Sylacauga drove down and put the game away with a touchdown to make it 15-7.

“We played hard,” Montevallo first-year head coach Garrett Langer said. “Defensively, we played really well. The turnovers were the story of the night for us. You can’t win when you turn it over four times. We just didn’t execute and beat ourselves.”

Razareo Conwell rushed 22 times for 130 yards for the Dawgs, and Ward had 12 carries for 125 yards to go along with 82 yards passing.

Derrick Richburg led the Montevallo defense with 8 tackles.

Chris McMiller and Deterrius Cutts had interceptions, and Caleb Merriweather recovered a fumble.

The loss was the final tune-up for the Bulldogs before region play begins against Northside on Sept. 6.