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The Montevallo Bulldogs couldn’t overcome a slow start and multiple first-half touchdowns from John Carroll as the Cavs gave the Bulldogs their fourth-straight loss. (For the Reporter/Neal Wagner)

By ANDREW SIMONSON | Sports Editor

MONTEVALLO – The search for another win continues for the Montevallo Bulldogs as they slipped to 1-4 on the season with a 27-7 loss to the John Carroll Catholic Cavaliers on Friday, Sept. 27 at Theron Fisher Stadium.

After the teams traded three-and-outs to open the game, there was a stark contrast between the teams in the first half as the Cavs scored on each of their remaining three possessions before halftime while the Bulldogs either punted or turned the ball over on downs.

With a chance to start from its own 41-yard line, John Carroll embarked on the game’s first lengthy drive, taking 11 plays to go 59 yards down the field.

The visitors capped off the drive with a 6-yard rushing touchdown, and after the ensuing extra point, Montevallo found itself in a 7-0 hole with 4:16 left in the first.

With the Bulldogs taking over on their 20, they looked to have a spark on offense as they got past midfield and to the Cavs 25-yard line.

However, that was where their 10-play drive would stall and they would turn the ball over on downs. It would prove to be their longest drive of the night.

After taking over, John Carroll continued to get the ball down the field slowly but surely over the course of another long series.

14 plays in, the Cavs punched in the score from the 1-yard line with 4:33 to go in the second quarter, but they missed the extra point to leave the score at 13-0.

Montevallo went three-and-out once again, but this time, the team let John Carroll start out in plus-territory on the Bulldogs 40.

The Cavs capitalized with 23 seconds left in the half when they ran the ball in from 21 yards out, and this time, they made the point-after to take a 20-0 lead into halftime.

While Montevallo had to punt again to start the second half, the defense came up with its first big stop. The Bulldogs only gave up one first down as they then forced a turnover on downs.

Montevallo’s offense initially met resistance from John Carroll and punted again after three plays and five yards.

However, the hosts got a golden opportunity when the Cavs fumbled the punt at their own 30-yard line and Jaylen Ray recovered the ball.

Now with a short field in their sights, the Bulldogs made short work of it. Jordan Ward capped off the six-play drive with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Brannon Hudson, and the extra point cut the deficit to 20-7 with 2:22 left in the third.

The teams then traded punts on their next two drives, which then led to Montevallo sending John Carroll backwards for the second straight drive. That led to a punt, but this time, the Bulldogs fumbled the punt at their own 27-yard line.

Three plays later, the Cavs ran it in from six yards out, capping off the game’s scoring and sealing the 27-7 win.

The Bulldogs had two double-digit tacklers as Hudson and Derrick Richburg tied for the team-high with 10 tackles apiece. Ray finished with seven tackles to go with his fumble recovery.

Razareo Conwell took 14 carries for 72 yards. Ward had 12 rushes for 65 yards and went 5-for-12 in the air for 15 yards, a touchdown and an interception after a turnover on the final Montevallo drive of the game.

Dee Cutts was Ward’s most frequent target with four catches for 12 yards, and Ward’s other completion was Hudson’s 3-yard touchdown.

The Bulldogs will return to region action on Friday, Oct. 4 when they host the Selma Saints at 7 p.m. at Theron Fisher Stadium.

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