PORTAGEVILLE -- Combining for only 105 total yards on offense, the Portageville Bulldogs had a rough opening to their season, falling 36-0 to the visiting Caruthersville Tigers.
With the Tigers relying on their ground game the entire night, it was Elbie Fonda who gave them the early lead, breaking free for a 46-yard run with 5:11 left in the first quarter. An accompanying two-point run good the Tigers had an early 8-0 lead.
Striking again right before the end of the quarter, Tigers quarterback Perry Middleton connected with Vohland Fonda with seconds left in the first for their second touchdown of the game, followed by another successful two-point conversion to push their lead to 16-0.
By the end of the half Caruthersville had amassed a 22-0 lead thanks to a fumbled toss from the Portageville's quarterback Caden Robbins to the running back that would be scooped up by Graham Gardener and carried 33 yards for the score.
Things would get any better for the Bulldogs in the second half as troubles establishing the running game and turnovers thwarted any chances of scoring.
Caruthersville would add another two touchdowns in third quarter, including a 73-yard touchdown on a punt return by Peter Lloyd while holding the Bulldogs scoreless to secure the win.
Caruthersville 16 6 14 0 -- 36
Portageville 0 0 0 0 -- 0
First Quarter
C -- Elbie Fonda 46 run (David Shaw run good), 7:37.
C -- Vohland Fonda 10 pass from Perry Middleton, (run good), 0:40.
Second Quarter
C -- Graham Garner recovers fumble (kick failed), 11:13.
Third Quarter
C -- Vohland Fonda 19 run (kick blocked), 5:11.
C -- Peter Lloyd 73 punt return (David Shaw run good), 3:02.
Team Statistics
C P
Rushes-Yards 30-195 32-88
Comp-Att-Int 5-10-0 2-5-2
Passing yards 26 17
Total Yards 221 105
Pen.-Yards 4-25 6-35
Individual Statistics
Rushing
Caruthersville -- Elbie Fonda 8-134, Vohland Fonda 10-55, Perry Middleton 5-(-5), Darrell Monroe 3-5, Jamie Middleton 1-3, Stanley Smith 1-(-2), Darries Johnson 3-6. Portageville -- Jeremy Jones 5-8, Fred Treadwell 13-49, Caden Robbins 9-(-8), Dominique Walker 5-39.
Passing
Caruthersville -- Perry Middleton 5-10-0 26. Portageville -- Caden Robbins 2-5-26 26.
Receiving
Caruthersville -- Vohland Fonda 3-18, Peter Lloyd 1-3, David Shaw 1-5. Portageville -- Tevin Walker 1-14, Isaac Ray 1-3.