STAR CITY — For the first time in program history, the Star City Bulldogs will be playing football in December.
Star City advanced to the semifinals of the Class 4A playoffs with a 41-12 victory over Pottsville on Friday. The victory marked another first in a season of milestones for a program that had its first undefeated conference record and its first outright conference title this year.
The Apaches made it a battle with their run-oriented offense, using a three-back formation with two tight endsand passing only when necessary.
Star City fell behind early in the first quarter. Running back John Wright carried 17 times in the first half for 94 yards and scored the game’s first touchdown on a 5-yard run.
That touchdown had been set up when Tyler Weaver intercepted a pass by Star City quarterback Ty Towers at the Bulldogs’ 32.
The Bulldogs continued to struggle on offense in the opening quarter as Pottsville shut down the passing game and kept Towers and the running game in check.
Hosia Rochelle ran 6 yards for a touchdown to tie the game 6-6, and the Bulldogs took a 12-6 lead near the end of the half on a 40-yard endaround by Reshod Davis.
That wasn’t the only big play for Davis in the first half, though. Before time ran out, Star City got Pottsville to fourth down and called timeout to force a punt.
The move nearly backfired when Towers muffed the punt, but Davis picked up the loose ball and ran 70 yards down the home sideline to score as time expired, giving Star City a 20-6 halftime lead.
Sports, Pages 27 on 11/27/2010