Struggling on offense, the Destin Sharks lost 35-6 to the undefeated Taylor County Bulldogs in varsity football action on Sept. 19 at Marlin Field.
“They fought hard. They gave me everything they had,” Destin Coach E.G. Green said.
But it wasn’t enough to post a victory.
Taylor County rolled up 369 yards of offense, 181 on the ground and 188 through the air. Plus, Malik Johnson ran the opening kickoff back for a 65-yard score.
Taylor County’s quarterback Jabez Glanton completed 13 of 25 passes for 188 yards and two touchdowns. Glanton also rushed for 77 yards.
Destin, however, had 180 yards total with 117 on the ground. Junior Harris was the workhorse rushing for 99 yards, including a four-yard touchdown.
Destin quarterback Hampton Woodham completed five of 17 passes for 63 yards. The longest to Chase Wandrick for 37 yards.
“Hats off to Taylor County,” Green said.
Taylor County got on the scoreboard quickly with Johnson taking the short Destin kick back for a 65-yard score. The PAT was good, and the Bulldogs were up 7-0 just seconds into the game.
On Taylor County’s next possession, the Sharks forced a fumble with Elijah Ordis coming up with the ball.
Destin managed to get the ball inside the 30-yard line but could not get in the end zone.
Taylor County took over on downs and went 60 yards in 12 plays for the score. Braylin Morris scored on a 10-yard run. The kick after was good and Taylor County led 14-0.
On Destin’s next possession, the Sharks put together a 12-play drive themselves for the score. Woodham hit Wandrick for a 37-yard gain and then two plays later, Harris scored on a 4-yard run. The Sharks went for 2 points but were stopped at the line for a 14-6 game.
Destin had the ball three more times in the first half but could not get in the end zone.
In the third quarter, Taylor County scored on a 39-yard pass play from Glanton to Harlem Bell. Brett Freeman kicked the point after, and the Bulldogs led 21-6.
At the start of the fourth quarter, Destin had the ball and was on the move picking up a couple of first downs. But again, they failed to reach paydirt.
Taylor County took over on the 41-yard line and scored in seven plays. Glanton connected with Morris for a 16-yard catch-and-run for the score. The kick after was good and Taylor County went up 28-6.
Midway through the fourth, Destin attempted a 30-yard field goal, but the kick was blocked.
The Bulldogs took over at midfield and managed to put another TD on the board. After a 23-yard pass play and then a 21-yard run, the Bulldogs scored on a 1-yard run from Glanton. The kick was good, and Taylor County led 35-6.
Destin had the ball one last time and made a first down before turning it over on downs as time ran out.
Up next for the 1-3 Sharks is a road trip to Opp, Alabama on Sept. 26 for a 7 p.m. game.
This article originally appeared on The Destin Log: Destin Sharks fall to undefeated Taylor County 35-6
Reporting by Tina Harbuck, The Destin Log / The Destin Log
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
