By By SCOTT NOVAK / Dowagiac Daily News
VICKSBURG – Heading into Friday night's Wolverine Conference clash with the host Bulldogs, Dowagiac varsity football coach Mike Stanger knew his squad would have to weather a storm.
Vicksburg was dedicating its new football stadium, complete with artificial turf.
The Bulldogs were fired up for most of the first half, but in the end, it was the Dowagiac running game that prevailed, 36-14.
"The kids kept their composure in the first half and that was key," Stanger said. "We knew coming in that they were going to be jacked up. They played hard and we were able to stay focused."
Dowagiac looked like it was going to ram the ball down Vicksburg's throat on its opening drive. The Chieftains marched down the field on 14 plays, but were stuffed inside the 5-yard line by the Bulldogs' defense.
Dowagiac forced a third and long situation on Vicksburg's ensuing possession, but a break down in pass coverage allowed Jordan Buckallew to get behind the defense and haul in Bobby Keller's pass for a 94-yard touchdown.
Dowagiac (3-0) finally got on the scoreboard just eight seconds into the second quarter when Jamie Simpson scored the first of his three touchdowns on the night. Simpson scampered 19-yards to paydirt, however, Tony Black's extra point kick was missed and the Chieftains found themselves down 7-6.
Dowagiac grabbed its first lead of the night with 5:30 to play in the opening half when Jake Shelton capped off another Chieftains drive with a 2-yard run.
The two-point conversion pass from Nick File to Chris Primley was incomplete, however, the Chieftains had a 12-7 lead.
Vicksburg (0-3) continued to play well and took the ensuing kickoff 78-yards to set up its finally touchdown of the contest.
Qylon Palmer, who returned the kickoff for the Bulldogs, capped the short drive with a 5-yard touchdown run.
Trailing 14-12, the Chieftains were able to seize the momentum just before halftime as they drove down the field and scored with 11 ticks left on the clock. Simpson took a pass from File, faked out a Vicksburg cornerback and raced 13 yards to the end zone. This time Black's kick was good and the Chieftains took a 19-14 lead into the locker room at the intermission.
Simpson, just as he did against South Haven, stuck a dagger into the heart of Vicksburg with a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. The play took just 16 seconds, but it ended any chance the Bulldogs had of getting back into the contest.
"Those two plays definitely made a difference," Stanger said. "That kickoff return took some steam out of them."
Dowagiac would score another touchdown in the third quarter to stretch its advantage to 33-14.
Back-up running back DaShaun Baylock scored on a 9-yard run, in which he ran through a Vicksburg tackler at the goal line. Black was good again on the extra point and the Chieftains had the game in hand.
The defense dominated the second half and keep Vicksburg well away from the end zone until the closing minute.
"Defensively I couldn't be happier," Stanger said. "Outside of two big plays, one on special teams, we controlled the line of scrimmage."
The Chieftains completed the scoring with 8:55 to play in the contest when Black connected on a 27-yard field goal.
For the second straight week, Dowagiac rushed for more than 350 yards. The Chieftains finished with 361 yards rushing and averaged 7.6 yards per carry. Dowagiac also threw for 55 yards as File was 4-of-9.
Simpson finished with 313 yards in total offense. Simpson rushed for 188 yards on 13 carries, had the 92-yard kickoff return, and caught two passes for 33 yards.
Shelton rushed for 90 yards on 15 carries, while Mike Laylin added 52 yards on five carries.
"That's a credit to our offensive line," Stanger said of the 300-plus yards rushing. "It's also a credit to our backs who are running hard. We are doing this with two juniors on the offensive line. Getting Ryan Laylin back has really helped."
Vicksburg was held to 87 yards rushing and 120 yards passing.
Defensively, Mike Kasper led Dowagiac with eight tackles. Kyle Bailey and Tim Bartee finished with seven and six tackles respectively.
Dowagiac returns home Friday night to take on Allegan (1-2). The Tigers were defeated by Comtock last Friday night, 34-21. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Dowagiac 0 19 14 3 – 36
Vicksburg 7 7 0 0 – 14
V – Jordan Buckallew 94 pass from Bobby Keller (kick good)
D – Jamie Simpson 19 run (kick failed)
D – Jake Shelton 2 run (pass failed)
V – Qylon Palmer 5 run (kick good)
D – Simpson 13 pass from Nick Ferrier (Tony Black kick)
D – Simpson 92 kickoff return (Black kick)
D – DaShaun Baylock 9 run (Black kick)
D – Black 27 field goal