Patriots end season 6-3

The football season came to a close Friday for the Upton-Sundance Patriots as the Lovell Bulldogs took the 21-8 victory. The opening half seemed evenly matched as both teams' defenses were the stars of the show, making it difficult for either offense to find their way into the end zone.

The Bulldogs did manage to get on the board first as Preston Nichols sneaked his way into the end zone from one yard out. A successful extra point kick by Casen Hiser put the Bulldogs up 7-0 in the first quarter.

The stout Bulldog defense continued to hold the usually explosive Patriot offense in check for most of the first half. It wasn't until the final drive of the half that the Patriots made their way into the end zone as Luca Brooks caught a 29-yard reception from quarterback Keaton Mills.

Hoping to be on top going into the half, the Patriots went for two, and while the initial pass fell incomplete, a penalty on the Bulldogs allowed the Patriots a second chance at the two-point conversion. With that second chance, Mills connected with Reece Barritt and the Patriots took an 8-7 lead into the break.

The second half continued to be a defensive stalemate with neither side being able to score easily. The Patriots maintained their slight advantage until Bulldog Amos Monterde broke away on a 16-yard run into the end zone.

Hiser added another successful extra point and the Bulldogs regained control of the board 14-8 with one quarter left to play. As the fourth quarter ticked away, the Patriots were struggling for good field position.

With six minutes remaining in the game, it was a critical play for the Patriot defense as the Bulldogs were facing a fourth and one. The solid Patriot defensive line was able to hold the Bulldogs and allow the Patriot offense to take over on the 30-yard line.

Recharged after the big stop, the offense was hoping to move down the field, but a fumble turned the ball back over to the Bulldogs, who were able to capitalize on the mishap and turn the remaining minutes into a two-score game. The Patriots continued to push through the final minutes, but were unable to make any headway and dropped the quarterfinal playoff game to the Lovell Bulldogs 8-21.

The US Patriots end their 2021 season with a 6-3 record overall.

Stats

Rushing:

Levi Rudloff – 3 carries for 11 yards

Ryder Downey – 3 carries for 8 yards

Keaton Mills – 8 carries for 3 yards

Reece Barritt – 4 carries for 1 yard

Passing:

K. Mills – 7 for 14, 176 yards, 1 TD

Receiving:

Luca Brooks – 2 for 32 yards, 1 TD

Reece Barritt – 1 for 28 yards

Jesse Harmon – 2 for 19 yards

Levi Rudloff – 2 for 6 yards

Defense:

Eli Gill – 22.5 points, 11 assisted tackles, 5 unassisted tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss

Levi Rudloff – 17 points, 3 AT, 4 UT, 2 TFL

Nathan Baker – 16 points, 7 AT, 3 UT, 1 TFL

Keaton Mills – 15 points, 5 AT, 5 UT

Aidan Coberly – 8 points, 6 UT, 1 TFL