SPORTS

Milan beats Dyersburg

BRADLEY STRINGFIELD
sports@jacksonsun.com

MILAN — On a night when Milan retired the jersey of Avery Williamson -- former Bulldog and now Tennessee Titans linebacker -- the Bulldogs defined shined.

Milan held Dyersburg to 154 total yards en route to a 20-6 victory over the Trojans on Friday.

“Our season was 1-3 at one point,” Milan head coach Jeff Morris said. “We've been taken apart by some good teams, but we rebounded. ... That's a good football team we just beat.”

A mishandled handoff on the second play of the game cost the Bulldogs (4-3) their first possession. The turnover, however, turned into points for Dyersburg (3-4).

After the Trojans took over in Milan territory, Dyersburg capitalized on the turnover by punching it in from two yards out for the opening score. Milan blocked the extra point.

Fortunately for the Bulldogs, the early fumble didn't prove to be a trend through the first half.

After Dyersburg forced a Bulldogs' punt, Milan's defense held, and forced the Trojans to punt from the Milan 35.

Bulldogs quarterback Landon Walker finally got Milan on the board in the opening seconds of the second quarter with a long touchdown run. Despite the chance to take the lead, Milan's point-after attempt bounced off the left upright leaving the game tied at 6-6.

The Bulldogs forced another Dyersburg punt, and leaned on the its running attack to find the end zone for the second time in the first half.

Chunk yardage runs of 18, 24, 17 and 23 from Walker, Blake Miller, Anthony Ballard and Spencer Walker helped spark the Bulldogs on an nine-play, 64-yard drive capped off by a 4-yard touchdown run from Ballard to put Milan up 13-6.

“Our offense line really played well,” Morris said. “The backs ran well. Like I said, I think they're a good football team. ... It was a good win for us.”

Walker found the end zone again in the second half with a 52-yard run to put the Bulldogs ahead 20-6 to seal the win.

Next week is a bye week for Milan, but the Bulldogs will go to JCM on Oct. 16.