Mize handed Bogue Chitto its first season loss in a thriller Friday Night on The Hill.
Though it wasn’t pretty at times, fumbling the ball away on four occasions — twice in the red zone — a late touchdown drive in the fourth quarter put the Bulldogs on top, 21-14, where the score would stand when the game clock hit all zeros.
"I felt like our offensive line controlled the game," said Maddox. "We would drive the ball the length of the field and have a turnover. We definitely had some ball security issues.
"We have to fix that problem quickly because we have a good Wesson team coming up."
Mize's late scoring drive had woes of its own. After gaining a first down on Bogue Chitto's three-yard line, a dead-ball personal foul penalty pushed the Bulldogs back 15 yards. Getting back to Bogue Chitto's six-yard line, another huge penalty — this time a holding call — moved the Bulldogs back beyond the 15-yard line. On third and goal from the 19, senior wing-back Trent Keyes danced his way up the middle two yards shy of the goal line, where senior wing-back Brady Sullivan finished the drive on fourth and goal.
"That drive was more red zone woes for us," said Maddox. "This time, it came in the form of penalties. The touting penalty came a little late and weird, so I'm not sure what happened. But the way we responded with two big runs and Brady Sullivan powering through, showing why he's one of our strongest in the weight room, [was great]."
Turnovers became the issue early on. Losing possession twice in the first quarter, Mize’s defense stepped up big, holding Bogue Chitto to just three points.
"Our defense did a great job," said Maddox. "They've played lights out so far this year. They'd give us a stop right back when we turned the ball over. And that's a big deal.
Bogue Chitto only fumbled the ball away once Friday night, but Mize made sure to capitalize. Keyes found paydirt from six yards out for his second touchdown of the night to cap a 53-yard drive early in the third quarter. The score pushed the Bulldogs in front, 14-6.
“Right after the half, they caused a turnover and we were able to cash it in for six points. That’s complementary football, and that’s what we have to keep doing.”
Bogue Chitto answered the drive with a 41-yard touchdown pass to a two-point conversion to tie the game up at 14-apiece.
“The pass gave us a little trouble tonight,” said Maddox.
Mize put together another impressive drive for a would-be answer to Bogue Chitto's answer but fumbled the ball away again in the red zone.
They fumbled once again in the red zone early in the fourth quarter.
After the defense forced Bogue Chitto to a three-and-out, Mize went to work to produce its game-winning drive.
Maddox credited his team's offensive line, not only for the game-winning but others, most of which were kept alive with first down runs by Keyes on first and second downs.
“We’re senior-led upfront,” said Maddox. “We have a center, Cameron Hart, that plays with as much energy and passion as anybody you can find on Friday night.”
With 3:21 left to play, Mize's defense stepped up big again, forcing a turnover on downs so its offense could run out the clock en route to a thrilling victory.
Mize (3-1) travels to Wesson (3-1) next Friday night.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.