NASHVILLE —
Berrien running back Devonte Bass rushed for 184 yards and three total touchdowns to push the Rebels past the Lanier County Bulldogs 41-6 Friday night at Raymond Jones Memorial Field.
The Rebels earned their second consecutive win while the Bulldogs picked up their second loss of the year.
“I’m just proud of the way the kids have been practicing and it’s shown the last two Fridays," Berrien head coach Rob Armstrong said. “We did a good job moving the ball, and I think our defense is getting better. We know it only gets tougher. We just got to keep getting better every day. The kids did a great job.”
Berrien took no time getting on the scoreboard, scoring a touchdown on its first offensive possession.
Following a 25-yard run by Bass to start the drive that tallied 75 yards, the senior running back finished off the drive with a 34-yard rushing touchdown.
After the Rebels went up 7-0 midway through the first quarter, the Bulldogs tried to respond.
Lanier County freshman running back Keith Sims fumbled near midfield after picking up back-to-back first downs.
Bass, who plays defensive back as well for the Rebels, recovered the loose ball and returned it all the way back for a touchdown.
Berrien took a 13-0 lead with just three minutes left in the first quarter.
The Bulldogs cut into the lead on the ensuing drive.
Sims recorded 57 of his 94 first half rushing yards, capping off the Bulldogs' 70-yard drive with a 5-yard touchdown run.
The Rebels again, connecting on all cylinders, scored on their third-straight drive.
Bass and Taylor Griner combined for 44 yards on the drive before quarterback Shawn Witt ran into the end zone untouched on a 10-yard scramble.
The night didn’t get much better for the Bulldogs, who turned over the ball on the following kickoff.
The mishandled ball was recovered by Berrien, setting up a first down in scoring position.
Griner, who finished the game with 105 rushing yards, extended the Rebels' lead to 21 points (27-6) with a 15-yard rushing touchdown.
It was still all Berrien after halftime.
The running back tandem of Bass and Griner went back to work.
The duo had big runs. Each had over 20 yards on the drive that ended when Bass picked up his third touchdown of the game.
“We’re real good together. We got a real good combination," Bass said. "He runs the ball good and I run the ball good. It feels good to win. If we keep working hard we’re going to keep winning."
Bass got in the end zone on a 15-yard touchdown run when he shot through a hole in the secondary.
The Rebels sat comfortably with a 34-6 lead early in the third quarter.
The score remained the same until Berrien tacked on more to their dominating lead minutes into the fourth quarter.
The Rebel running back duo continued their great performance, driving the Rebels to complete yet another successful drive.
Griner, after running for a couple first downs, punched in a 5-yard touchdown run to put the game out of reach — if it already wasn’t.
The Rebels ended the game with 28-unanswered points.
Local Sports
Related Photos
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Berrien linebacker Shawn Witt tackles a Lanier County receiver for a loss. Mac Ingram | Special to the Times
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Sophomore fullback Ty Moody rushes in for a Berrien touchdown against Lanier County. Mac Ingram | Special to the Times
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A Lanier County player carries the ball during Friday's game against Berrien in Nashville.
Discussion
Berrien routs Lanier, 41-6
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