Wheeler Over Taylor County

The Wheeler County High School Bulldogs continued their perfect start to the 2025 high school football season with a hard-fought 28–20 win over the Taylor County Vikings on Thursday night in Alamo.

Led by a dominant ground game and clutch performances on both sides of the ball, the Bulldogs now sit at 2–0 for the second straight season, fueling early excitement in the Wheeler County football community.

Senior running back Alvin Ricks was the engine of the Bulldog offense, racking up 171 allpurpose yards, including 164 on the ground. He found the end zone twice, proving nearly unstoppable between the tackles and in open space. Ricks' explosive runs kept the Vikings’ defense on its heels and helped control the tempo throughout the game. He also contributed on conversions, showing off his versatility and leadership in key moments.

While Ricks did the heavy lifting, Wheeler County’s offensive success was far from a oneman show. Senior Justin Culver chipped in 75 allpurpose yards, scored a touchdown, and added a conversion to extend the Bulldogs' lead late in the game.

Sophomore J. Dinkins continued to emerge as a playmaker, posting 79 all-purpose yards and scoring a touchdown of his own.

Thursday’s win marks back-to-back victories for the Bulldogs to open the season. It also represents their second straight win over Taylor County, following a 15–0 shutout in 2024.

Head Coach Thomas Smith praised the team’s composure and intensity. “This was a physical game, and our guys responded,” he said after the win. “We had some mistakes to clean up, but the effort, especially on the ground, was there all night.”

With the win, Wheeler County remains unbeaten heading into Week 3. The Bulldogs will look to build on their momentum as they prepare for Twiggs County, aiming to continue their climb in the GHSA Class A Division II standings. Wheeler will be at Twiggs County this Friday night with kickoff at 7:30 p.m.