Bulldogs stay perfect with 19-13 win.
The Zephyrhills Bulldogs kept their unbeaten season alive Friday night, outlasting rival Wiregrass Ranch 19-13 in a defensive slugfest that went down to the final seconds.
Zephyrhills and Wiregrass each had one possession in the first quarter and the respective defenses came up with big stops to end the quarter at a 0-0 tie.
With 26 seconds left in the first half, Bulldogs quarterback Patrick Harding plunged into the end zone to put the Bulldogs up 12-6 at halftime.
Harding’s TD was set up by a 33-yard pass to Sanyiin Black. The Bulldogs got on the board first thanks to a 37-yard run by Roe Miller capped off by two-yard TD run by Quinton Single.
Wiregrass scored on a 23-yard run by quarterback Daniel Terry.
Zephyrhills held a 19-13 lead over Wiregrass Ranch heading into the fourth quarter. Both teams exchanged 80-yard TDs in the third quarter. Roe Miller had an 80-yard run for ZHS and Alex McCullough had an 80-yard touchdown reception for the Bulls.
After a scoreless first quarter in which both defenses came up with key stops, the Bulldogs struck first. Roe Miller broke free for a 37-yard run to set up a two-yard touchdown plunge by Quinton Single. Wiregrass answered back when quarterback Daniel Terry scrambled 23 yards for the equalizer.
With the score tied 6-6 late in the second quarter, Zephyrhills regained the lead. Quarterback Patrick Harding connected with Sanyiin Black for a 33-yard gain, then powered into the end zone on a short run with 26 seconds left before halftime to give the Bulldogs a 12-6 advantage at the break.
The second half turned into a battle of big plays. In the third quarter, Miller electrified the Zephyrhills sideline with an 80-yard touchdown run. Moments later, Wiregrass answered with fireworks of its own when Alex McCullough hauled in an 80-yard touchdown pass, keeping the Bulls within striking distance. The Bulldogs held a narrow 19-13 lead heading into the fourth.
Wiregrass had one last chance in the final minute, driving into the red zone. But with 15.5 seconds remaining, Kingston McCullough sealed the game with a clutch interception to secure the Bulldogs’ 19-13 victory.
The win moves Zephyrhills to 3-0 on the season and adds another chapter to the heated county rivalry.
“I’m proud of our kids and coaches,” Zephyrhills coach Nick Carroll said. “There are some things that hurt us in the second half, but hats off to our guys. Anytime you can beat Wiregrass, it’s special. Obviously, it’s a big rivalry.”
