Bulldogs End 26-Year Drought with Historic Playoff Win
The 26-year wait is officially over. On Friday night, the Wheeler County High School Bulldog football team delivered a dominating performance, throttling the Manchester Blue Devils, 55-20, to secure their first GHSA playoff victory since the 1999 season.
The tone for the evening was set on the very first play. Wheeler County recovered the opening muffed kickoff on the Manchester 42-yard line. Just three plays later, in a drive consuming only 1:08 of clock time, star running back Alvin Ricks punched in the first touchdown from 13 yards out, giving the Bulldogs the early 6-0 edge. While Manchester managed to take a brief 7-6 lead before the end of the first quarter, the Bulldogs' soon took over.
The second quarter was a backand- forth affair before Wheeler County seized control. Ricks found the end zone again with a 9-yard rush, followed by a crucial 2-point conversion run by Justin Culver to put WCHS back on top, 14-7. After a quick Blue Devil response tied the game, the Bulldogs’ created space for Ricks to return the ensuing kickoff 42 yards, setting up shop near midfield at the Manchester 43.
The decisive score before halftime came when quarterback Reco Wooten connected with Culver on 2 big receptions to march the team continued from page
downfield before Culver completed the drive with a 16-yard rushing touchdown. Kicker Jandel Ramirez added the point after, making it 21-14. Moments later, Culver flashed his 2-way talent, sacking the Manchester QB on a crucial fourth down, forcing a turnover that allowed Wooten to find JJ Woodard for a 21yard touchdown pass with just :39 seconds left in the half. The 4-play, 40-yard drive gave WCHS a commanding 28-14 halftime lead.
The third quarter became an absolute rout as the Bulldogs slammed the door shut. After receiving the second half kickoff, Ricks exploded for a 53-yard rush into the red zone. Culver finished the drive by plunging in from the “1-inch line” for his third score of the night. On the subsequent kickoff, the Bulldogs’ special teams unit struck gold again, recovering their second muffed kick on the MHS 31. This gift-wrapped field position led to a 4-yard touchdown run by Malik Madison, following a 27yard burst by Ricks that set up the score. The scoring surge gave Wheeler County an insurmountable 48-14 advantage.
Madison provided the final exclamation point in the fourth quarter. Following a Manchester score, Madison took the handoff and exploded for a 75-yard rushing touchdown. The play took just nine seconds and pushed the final score to 55-20.
The Bulldogs’ victory was powered by an offense that accounted for 303 yards and 8 total touchdowns (7 rushing, 1 passing). The stellar individual stat lines tell the story: Alvin Ricks: 11 carries for 120 yards and 2 touchdowns. Justin Culver: 12 carries for 75 yards, 3 touchdowns, 2 two-point conversions, 1 reception for 16 yards, and 1 sack on defense. Malik Madison: 3 carries for 87 yards and 2 touchdowns, including the 75yard breakaway run. Reco Wooten: Went 3/5 passing for 42 yards and a touchdown, adding 20 yards on 3 carries. JJ Woodard: Logged a 21yard touchdown reception.
With the historic drought over, the Wheeler County Bulldogs advance to the Sweet 16 of the Class A Division II Playoffs, cementing this year’s squad in the program's history. This week the Bulldogs will host Warren County on Friday night in Alamo at 7:30 p.m.
