Don't Back Down

Just over a week after taking over the top spot in the Sweet 16 from the Independence Patriots, the Butler Bulldogs have lost it. In a game that was delayed from Friday night due to some severe weather that passed through the area (lightning strikes were seen all over town), the West Charlotte Lions have done what didn't seem possible - they have handed the Bulldogs their first loss of the young season.

A number of games Friday night were postponed due to the bad weather. Some, like the Patriots' win over Vance, was called in the third quarter, and not scheduled to be completed (the Patriots were ahead 28-0 at the time, so I guess it was better than continuing the game). But others, like the Lions and the Bulldogs, were games that both teams wanted to complete, so they were rescheduled for later. The game of the week finished last night, on a perfect night for football, made better because it was free (and there was nothing else happening).

What looked to be an upset in the making on Friday night turned into a well-needed breather for the Bulldogs when the lightning gave them a break. They were down, but not out, for the rest of the weekend as a few others games finished up on Saturday. Then came Monday, and the chance for them to try and finish up.

Given the chance to sit atop the Sweet 16 standings for two consecutive weeks, they had all weekend to think about their game. So when the game picked up again in the third quarter, the Bulldogs just had to suck it up and try to get back in the right frame of mind. The only question was whether they would be able to do it or not.

As it turns out, the Lions also had all weekend to think about the game, too, and it apparently worked a bit more to their advantage - they came out ready to play. Again. Even though Butler had been averaging 50 points a game, and when the game had been suspended on Friday night with the Lions ahead 13-0, West Charlotte came out firing, and with just 38 seconds left in the third quarter, the score was 20-0. It looked like the rout was on.

But that's when the Bulldogs made a game of it, and halfway through the fourth quarter, they finally connected on a 35-yard touchdown pass to get on the board, 20-7. The defense made the next score on an interception return, and it was suddenly 20-14, but was it a case of too little, too late? It seemed like it would be, but before you knew what was happening, Butler got the ball back one last time when the Lions turned it over on downs with 37 seconds to play.

Unfortunately, the Bulldogs couldn't pull it out, and it ended there. A great game by the Lions, and it looks like the Patriots will be back on top of the Sweet 16 this week - or maybe it will be the Lions (though the Lions were beaten by the Patriots earlier this year, so maybe it will be someone else - we'll have to see).