Green Bulldogs Snap South Range's Winning Streak with a 21-7 Victory
Antonio Martin, Samino Manson, and AJ Fortunato Shine in Impressive Win
Green defeats South Range 21-7, snapping Raiders' 3-year regular season winning streak.
The first quarter unfolded as a defensive battle, with both teams consistently making crucial stops. Nevertheless, it was in the 2nd quarter that Green managed to break through, securing a significant score through a handoff to their star player, Antonio Martin (#1). South Range swiftly retaliated, with their QB Tristan Toy (#12) executing a remarkable play by breaking through the line and scoring a touchdown. These points marked the conclusion of South Range's scoring for the entirety of the game.
The 1st half wrapped up in a tie, but Green came roaring out of halftime with an unexpectedly potent offensive showcase that left the Raiders in disbelief. The Bulldogs' offense ignited in the opening drive of the 3rd quarter, as Samino Manson (#11) connected with Zach Baglia (#13) for a 7-yard pass into the endzone, securing Green's first points of the 3rd quarter. However, the scoring momentum didn't end there. Green's offense continued to shine after a successful defensive halt of the Raiders' drive. Manson handed the ball off to Martin, who effortlessly launched a 50-yard pass to a wide-open Baglia for yet another touchdown. In the 4th quarter, South Range seemed to be mounting a comeback. However, Green thwarted their attempts to feed the ball to FB Aidan Dominguez. Despite this, Green's defense remained firm, ultimately leading to South Range's first regular-season loss in 3 years.
Impacts on Offense
Martin Continues to Impress
Antonio Martin does it once again. He kicked the game off for the Bulldogs with an impressive 7-yard run to the outside and into the endzone and even threw a touchdown pass. His performance on the field boils down to his natural athleticism and talent, being able to work around defenders effortlessly and be a problem on the other side of the ball. Martin's preferred strategy for picking up yards on offense is running outside, utilizing his speed and agility to outmaneuver his opponents.
Furthermore, Martin's impact is not limited to offense alone. His presence in the backfield during crucial defensive moments is phenomenal. Case in point, his interception of a comeback route toward the end of the game against South Range proved to be a game-changer, sealing a memorable victory for Green. Antonio Martin's all-around excellence continues to be a source of success for the Bulldogs.
Samino Manson: 254 Passing Yards
Green QB Samino Manson (#11) showcased a remarkable level of accuracy by completing an impressive 69% of his passes and accumulating a substantial 254 yards through the air. Manson's skill was evident in his accuracy and capability to thread his passes into tight windows and swiftly deliver the ball on short notice. Manson threw for two touchdowns against South Range.
AJ Fortunato: A Defensive Powerhouse
Fortunato made crucial tackles and stops, particularly against their running game. A big job for him against the Raiders' was to combat their sneaky QB, Tristan Toy, who often got through the line and would pick up significant gains. Fortunato's knack for predicting and countering the opponent's moves disrupted South Range's passing game and created opportunities for turnovers.
Next Week
Next week, the Bulldogs will travel to Tallmadge High School to take on the Blue Devils. In a close game last year that came down to the wire, Green will go into Week 3 wanting revenge and redemption for last year's result.
Coach Geis's message to Bulldog fans?
"We just have to keep getting better one day at a time."