Wheeler Over Atkinson Co.

The Wheeler County High School Bulldogs football team secured a hard-fought 30-22 victory over the Atkinson County Rebels on Thursday night, in a game that saw multiple lead changes and a tense finish. The Bulldogs were able to hold off the Rebels' late-game surge to get the win.

The Bulldogs wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, taking an early 7-0 lead. However, Atkinson County answered back with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, followed by a two-point conversion to take an 8-7 lead with approximately three minutes left in the first quarter.

The Bulldogs quickly regained control, with a pair of passing touchdowns from quarterback Reco Wooten to Jahkoryan Dinkins. The first was an 11-yard pass, followed by a successful two-point conversion from Alvin Ricks, giving the Bulldogs a 15-8 lead with less than a minute remaining in the quarter. The second touchdown was a 15-yard pass that was capped off with a successful point-after from Adam Garcia, making the score 22-8.

The Rebels added another score before halftime on a 25-yard rushing touchdown, bringing the score to 22-15 at the half.

The third quarter was a defensive battle, with neither team able to score. Wheeler held onto the 2215 lead heading into the final quarter.

The Rebels came out strong in the fourth quarter, scoring a rushing touchdown and a point-after to tie the game at 22 with about 11 minutes left to play. With about nine minutes left to play, Alvin Ricks broke free for a 45yard rushing touchdown to put the Bulldogs back on top. Justin Culver added a two-point conversion to give the Bulldogs a 30-22 lead.

Wheeler held on from there to take the win over the Rebels 30-22. That improves Wheeler's record to 4-0 on the season. This week the Bulldogs will be at Dooly County on Friday night with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.