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THE PLAINS — It was Anthony Sutton’s world on Friday night. We were all just living in it.
The junior receiver hadn’t played running back in a couple of years, but with injuries in the Bulldogs’ backfield, it was his time to step up.
And did he ever deliver.
He took advantage of each of his 11 carries on the night, totaling 170 yards and finding the end zone three times, leading Athens (5-0, 2-0 TVC) to a 35-7 victory over Vinton County.
PHOTOS: Images from Athens’ win over Vinton County
“I haven’t played running back since maybe eighth grade or freshman year, so the team did a great job helping me get ready and catching me up to speed with everything,” Sutton said. “The offensive line deserves a lot of credit. They opened a lot of holes and without them, there’s nowhere for anyone to run and we don’t score.”
The win marks the first 5-0 start for the Bulldogs since 2014.
“You don’t think much about it. But it’s also easier to say when you’re 1-4 or 2-3 like we have been the past few years,” Athens coach Nathan White said. “But here we are undefeated and it feels good to come out every Friday and get a win. The work is just beginning, though.”
Athens had four offensive drives in the first half and scored on all of them.
Sutton had two quick touchdowns, one from a yard out and another on an option play where he received a pitch and went 51 yards, putting his team ahead 14-0.
Braedon Young threw an eight-yard touchdown pass to Leo Martin, and Sutton found a hole on the next drive, turning on his burners for a 49-yard score, giving the Bulldogs a 28-0 lead at halftime.
“We had some guys go down to injury over the past week or so, but no one said anything about it. We plugged in Anthony and kept everything moving,” White said. “Everyone had confidence in him and we see why. He’s just a competitor and a football player. He’ll be our featured running back next year, but he’s too good to keep off the field. So that’s why he’s playing receiver. He’s put in a lot of work and I’m so proud of him.”
Young and Martin hooked up again on the second play of the second half, connecting for a 49-yard touchdown pass.
Not to be shutout, though, Cole Ousley scored on a one-yard plunge for Vinton County late in the fourth quarter, capping the night and a Bulldog victory.
Following Sutton’s numbers, Young finished 6-of-8 passing for 154 yards and two touchdowns while Martin had three catches for 75 yards and two scores.
Athens returns to action on Friday at home against Warren in non-conference action while Vinton County (1-4, 1-1 TVC) welcomes in Alexander for TVC play.
“A lot of us guys who are starting now were starting when we were 3-7 and 2-8,” Athens’ Seth Hart said. “We hadn’t beaten Vinton County in three years. The same with Philo, Gallia Academy and Marietta. So there’s definitely been a chip on our shoulders and we’re hungry to win. Moving forward, we’ll continue to work on everything, pick each other up and keep grinding.”
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