VAN BUREN -- Van Buren took advantage of three White Hall turnovers in the final 2:27 of the first half to blow open the game and cruise to a 51-6 season-opening victory Friday night at Blakemore Field.
The Bulldogs (0-1) had no answer for receiver Jay Dye, who ran for 2 touchdowns (including a 96-yarder), caught a scoring pass and ran in a pair of two-point conversions.
"Our goal is to get [Dye] the ball 25 times a game," Van Buren Coach Greg Werner said. "We have got to get his hands on the ball. He is as good as player as anyone."
The Pointers led 15-6 when the Bulldogs self-destructed on offense at the end of the first half.
After the Pointers failed to convert a fourth-and-goal play at the White Hall 3, a pass by Bulldogs quarterback Clay Dickerson was intercepted by Dye and returned to the 1. Ethan Hudspeth scored on the next play for a 22-6 lead.
On the ensuing play from scrimmage, the Bulldogs fumbled and Jayden Mendez recovered at the White Hall 33. Dye took an inside handoff and ran untouched into the end zone, then added a two-point run for a 30-6 lead with 2:19 left in the half.
The Bulldogs tried to mount a drive, but another fumble led to a 49-yard return by Josh Aden to the White Hall 7. Pointers quarterback Jordan Barlow hit Zach Wornkey for a 5-yard touchdown for 37-6 advantage going into halftime.
"The defense really did a tremendous job," Werner said. "They created a lot of turnovers, and then we made them pay. It was a great night for us."
White Hall appeared to have all of the momentum before the interception, scoring on a 68-yard pass from Dickerson to Michael Jackson, who snatched the ball on the dead run after the ball was tipped by two Van Buren defenders.
But the turnovers were just too much to overcome.
"They have a good football team, but it wouldn't make any difference who you are playing when you have turnovers on our end of the field," White Hall Coach Mike Vaughn said.
Dye opened the game with a 64-yard kickoff return to the Bulldogs 14. Barlow scored two plays later on a 1-yard sneak 16 seconds into the game. Dye added a two-point run for an 8-0 lead.
"We were shocked they kicked to him to start the game," Werner said. "We took advantage of the great field position. Getting the early scores [in the first quarter] always sets a good tone."
Sports on 09/05/2015