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Spring City Middle School showed Thursday why records don't matter in county grudge games.

The 2-3 Bulldogs advanced to 3-3 with a 34-20 route over the previously unbeaten Dayton City School Sweatbees (5-1).

"No matter what the records are, both teams circle this game before the season starts," SCMS Head Coach Sam Kirkham said. "This is a big time rivalry and we wanted to give them their first loss."

The fact that it was a heated contest was obvious from the git-go. Five unsportsmanlike conduct penalties were called against Dayton City and three against Spring City.

The evening also saw an abundance of injury timeouts, mainly due to cramping.

"We've been running every day since the third week in July," Kirkham said. "I attribute the cramps to kids playing both ways and the [muggy] weather."

The game started as a defensive showcase in the first half but turned into a scoring parade in the second, as the two teams combined to drive in all 54 points.

"We didn't have to make any second half adjustments because we were moving the ball, just stalling out in the first half. We told them at half time to execute and punch it in," Kirkham said.

Spring City opened up the scoring floodgates on the first play of the third quarter as Taylor Jenkins took off on a 60-yard dash to the end zone. Jenkins punched in the two-point conversion to put the Bulldogs ahead 8-0.

Jenkins went on to rack up 235 yards, four touchdowns and a two-point conversion over 13 carries.

The speedy eighth-grader reached the end zone on 56-, 8- and 42-yard scampers.
Joby Berry added a 55-yard touchdown to the Bulldogs effort, and Bradley McClure caught a two-point conversion.

Quarterback Dimitrius Patterson led the Sweatbees' offense, scoring two touchdowns and a two-point conversion and rumbling 97 yards over 15 carries.

Alex Milliron plowed in a touchdown for DCS, as well as powering out 32 yards on three touches for the Bees.

Patterson completed 16 of 33 passing for 191 yards but threw three interceptions.

His favorite receivers were Bryan Harrison, who caught seven passes for 110 yards, and Brandon Opperman, who reeled in four passes for 33 yards.

Spring City's David Loden snagged two interceptions on the night, and McClure picked off another.

Dayton City's defense was lead by Raymond Monzano and Cain Sharp, who each recovered a fumble, and Austin Brown who secured an interception.

The Sweatbees will take on unbeaten Rhea Central Elementary School this Thursday at 6 p.m. in a game which will likely determine the winner of the Sequatchie Valley Conference northern division.

Meanwhile the Bulldogs will head to Chattanooga Christian School for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

Cathy Barnes can be contacted at cathy.baranes@rheaheraldnews.com.