Wheeler Dominates Homecoming Showdown
The Wheeler County High School Bulldogs football team solidified their undefeated start to the season in a hard-fought Region 4-A Division II matchup on Friday night, defeating the Hawkinsville Red Devils 36-18 in front of a packed Homecoming crowd. The victory hands the previously unblemished Red Devils their first loss of the year and establishes the Bulldogs as a clear contender in the region race. continued from page
At halftime of the Homecoming game the Bulldogs crowned the 2025 Homecoming Queen and Princess. The Homecoming Queen was Anna-Beth Ethredge, and the Homecoming Princess was Kamrin Clark.
The game was a highly anticipated clash between two teams entering the contest undefeated, but Wheeler County's ability to capitalize on big plays and takeaways proved the ultimate difference.
Wheeler County's offense set the tone early. After receiving a punt, the Bulldogs swiftly punched in a rushing touchdown to take a 7-0 lead. Hawkinsville responded later in the first quarter with a 20-yard rushing touchdown, but a missed extra point kept the Bulldogs narrowly ahead, 7-6.
The second quarter saw the Bulldogs' offense pull away. Another rushing touchdown, followed by a successful two-point rush conversion, extended the lead to 15-6. Hawkinsville managed to keep pace, finding the end zone with a rushing score just before halftime to make it 15-12. However, the momentum immediately swung back to Wheeler County.
In one of the night's most explosive plays, the Bulldogs delivered a critical blow via a kick return touchdown just before the break, quickly followed by a second two-point rush conversion. This quickstrike sequence put Wheeler County up 23-12. A crucial fumble recovery on the ensuing Hawkinsville possession ensured the Bulldogs carried that 11-point lead into the locker room.
The Red Devils refused to quit in the third quarter. A defensive play— a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown—cut the deficit to 23-18. A failed two-point attempt prevented Hawkinsville from getting any closer.
Wheeler County's defense and opportunistic offense sealed the win in the final quarter. After forcing a turnover on downs, the Bulldogs found the end zone again with a passing touchdown, pushing the lead to 29-18. They put the game out of reach late in the quarter when they recovered another Hawkinsville fumble deep in Red Devils territory, leading directly to a late rushing touchdown and PAT, bringing the final score to 36-18.
Wheeler County’s offensive line of Rhett Mc-Cranie, Luke Smith, Jackson Scott, Jeric Peeples and Trey Williams with tight end Konner Smith created space for over 300 rushing yards on the night and deserve some credit for the accomplishment.
The victory moves the Wheeler County Bulldogs to 6-0 on the season and they are 2-0 in Region play. This week they will host the Eagles of Montgomery County in Alamo at 7:30 p.m.
