Brett VanSloten Rudyard The Rudyard Bulldogs, 3-0 on the season, are halfway from qualifying for the Michigan High School Athletic Association playoffs after a 49-16 non-conference win over the Pickford Panthers Friday, September 11.

The Bulldogs exploded for three touchdowns in the first quarter and added four scores in the second quarter to take a 49-0 halftime lead and a running clock (35-point lead) in the second half.

Ben Gable opened the scoring for the Bulldogs with a seven-yard touchdown for a 6-0 lead before Davin Salo tossed his first of four scoring passes. Jared Clark caught the ball and scored from 31 yards out, and a Salo-to- Richard Gere pass reception for the two-point conversion increased the Rudyard lead to 14-0.

Zach Dempsey scored from 25 yards out and Gable kicked the extra point to send the Bulldogs into the second quarter with a 21-0 advantage.

Salo completed three touchdown passes in the second quarter as Arik Hesselink hauled one in from 35 yards out, Scott Coffey made a 16- yard completion, and Clark a 35- yard score. Dempsey scored his second touchdown on a 16-yard run. Gable kicked three extra points and Gere added one extra point kick.

Charlie Halsey Pickford Pickford scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter as Charlie Halsey dashed 45 yards for the first score and Dylan Rye added the two-point conversion, and Jordan Lavigne intercepted the Bulldogs pass and returned the ball 49 yards for the score. Rye converted the extra two points.

Bulldogs offensive statistics: Davin Salo, nine of 13 passing for 253 yards, three carries for 30 yards; Arik Hesselink, four receptions for 120 yards; Zac Dempsey, four carries for 74 yards; Scott Coffey, two receptions for 70 yards; Jared Clark, two receptions for 66 yards, seven carries for 37 yards.

Bulldogs defensive statistics: Ron Coffey, 13 tackles; Mike Dempsey, 10 tackles; Brett VanSloten, eight tackles; Ben Harter, seven tackles; Ben Gable, six tackles, two sacks; Connor McGrath, Brock Lewis, five tackles; Shane Sparkman, four tackles; Arik Hesselink, three tackles, interception.

Panthers statistics: Dylan Rye, 11 carries for 66 yards; Jordan Lavigne, 16 carries for 52 yards; Charlie Halsey, one carry for 45 yards; Ryan McBride, four carries for five yards.

Panthers defensive statistics: Dylan Rye, seven tackles; Jordan Lavigne, six tackles; Charlie Halsey, Ben Eckola, Sam Carter, five tackles; Tyler Kauffman, four tackles, fumble recovery; Jacob Eddy, Cody Becks, Matt Beard, three tackles; Jon Kelley, Ryan McBride, two tackles; Matt McBain, one tackle.