Milan executes game plan to beat Region 7-3A foe Bolivar

MILAN - Losing is not something that the Milan football team is used to doing, so after losing two straight games, the focus this week at practice has been simply on executing the game plan and playing with intensity.

The offensive game plan against Bolivar on Friday night  was for everyone to do their job -- offensive line to block and running backs to run through the holes and hold on to the ball.

The Bulldogs (4-3, 2-1) rushed for 416 yards and six touchdowns as they defeated Bolivar 49-35 at Johnnie Hale Stadium.

“The offensive line did a great job of opening holes for the backs tonight, and the running backs did a good job of seeing the holes and running through them,” said Milan head coach Jeff Morris, “We played good tonight.”

Leading the way for the running game was senior running back Anthony Ballard, who rushed for 232 yards and one touchdown on 27 carries.

Ballard ran with purpose, and the Tiger defense struggled at times to bring him to the ground as he ran through would-be tacklers all night.

And to change up the pace, Jacquez Norman used his quickness and speed to run by Bolivar tacklers as he piled up 101 yards and two touchdowns on just ten carries.

Milan quarterback Taylor Lockhart did his part also executing the game plan, as he kept the defense honest by running the ball a few times when the Tigers' defense focused on Ballard too much.

Lockhart rushed for two touchdowns on 57 yards, and he also completed 6-of-8 passes for 120 yards and touchdown.

“Taylor has played for us for two years, and he does a good job running the team,” said Morris. “We got back to having him use his speed tonight and run the ball more.”

On defense, the Bulldogs wanted to keep Bolivar quarterback and West Virginia commit Trey Lowe from beating them.

The Milan defense kept Lowe in check, allowing him to rush for 50 yards and pass for 158 yards.