Dogs knock out the Knights

Sam Christensen and Griffin Diggs led the Bulldogs to a 40-33 win over the Woodward Academy Knights Friday night at Woodward. Christensen rushed for 196 yards and one touchdown and threw for 187 yards and 5 touchdowns. Diggs had 115 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. The Bulldogs racked up 452 total yards and improved their record to 3-1 overall.

“Offensively we were really solid up front,” commented Coach Jacob Burger. “I don’t think our O-Line gets enough credit for the leaps that they have made this season. I think what ultimately was the difference in the game is that we were able to sustain really long drives running the football on 1st and 2nd down which put us in really good positions when we had 3rd down.  “Also the passing game showcased Griffin Diggs’s ability. He is someone we feel like, on any given night, can be a mismatch for us.” 

Ogden took the opening drive and moved the ball 74 yards, overcoming penalties, that ended on a scoring pass to Diggs for 7-0 Bulldog lead. 

Burger said Woodward Academy is always a unique preparation week and this year was no different.
We have had some really good football games over the last few years so we knew this game was likely to be no different.  A big focus for us this week was improving on special teams and I think we are making strides in that area.”

The Knights responded by driving the ball down the field and tied the game at 7-7. Ogden responded when Christensen hit Diggs on a 55 yard pass play. With the missed extra point Ogden led 13-7. Woodward Academy moved the ball to Bulldog 2 yard line, but Ogden’s defense held on a tough goal line stand. Ogden stretched the lead to 20-7 on a third touchdown reception by Diggs.

The Knights closed the gap on a touchdown reception by Laschaud Dowell but the extra point attempt bounced off the  upright and was no good, making the score 20-13. The Knights attempted an on-side kick but the Bulldogs recovered at the Ogden 46 yard line with less than 2 minutes left. 

The big play was when Christensen hit Lucas Elsner who ran with reckless abandon and was dragged by his facemask inside the ten yard line. The penalty placed the ball inside the five yard line. Christensen hit Kaleb Badker on a touchdown pass to make the score 27-13. The Knights hit a long pass as the half ended for a 27-20 halftime score. 

Rread more in the Sept. 19 issue of The Ogden Reporter.

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