Bulldogs buried by North Summit in 35-6 drubbing
Matt Harris
Staff writer
9-22-2016
GUNNISON— The Gunnison Bulldogs’ homecoming game was dominated by opponents North Summit in Gunnison’s worst loss of the season, 35-6.
The Bulldogs themed this year’s homecoming to the tune of the December 2015 blockbuster “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Unfortunately, the Bulldogs never quite awakened on the field as the previously winless Braves rolled over them behind a speedy run offense that split five touchdowns between two senior backs, Tristan Woolstenhulm and Randin Pentz, scoring three and two, respectively.
North Summit opened up the scoring with a 14-yard touchdown run by Woolstenhulm after only three plays in their opening drive. The point-after was initially blocked by Bulldog special teams, but the play was negated by a penalty. The Braves chose to go for the two point conversion, and converted to make the score 8-0.
The ensuing kickoff saw senior Bulldog receiver Kyler White bring the fire on an 85-yard return for the touchdown. A missed kick made the score 8-6.
The Braves turned over the ball on the next two possessions, with the latter being an impressive interception return by junior defensive back Syrus Miner, but Gunnison’s offense could not make anything of it, a story defining most of the game for the Bulldogs, as they went into halftime down 21-6.
The second half was all North Summit, who moved the ball at will against a struggling Gunnison defense. The Braves did not once punt all game, with every drive ending in a score or a turnover.
Poor clock management and leadership plagued the Bulldogs throughout the game, as Gunnison Head Coach Jack Pay attested. “I feel like this one is on me,” Pay says. “I ought to be better. [Our team] always talks about focusing on ourselves, and I’m no exception to that.”
The Bulldogs will travel to face South Summit next Friday at 7 p.m.
