Head coach Brandon Sharp’s Bulldogs moved to 7-1 with a heavyweight tilt on the line this Friday when they travel to 7-0 Konawa. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. at Wayne Smith Stadium.

After a slow start to the game last Friday night, Eli Stottlemeyer found his way into the endzone on a one-yard keeper to give Wayne a 6-0 lead with 4:29 left in the first frame.

Just under two minutes later Canadian tied the game at six on a 53-yard scamper.

With very little offensive production in the second quarter by both teams, Canadian once again found a crease and took it to the house this time on a 53-yard jaunt to take a 12-6 lead with 1:43 remaining in the half.

“They had two big runs in the first and second quarters where we had guys out of position and didn’t fill our gaps,” Sharp explained.

“When their running back hit the corner no one could run with him.”

The Wayne offense wasn't ready to turn it in for the half as Stottlemeyer found a friendly face open in Langstyn McClendon for a 36-yard touchdown connection with :31 seconds left in the half. The two-point try was unsuccessful and the game was all square at 12 heading to halftime.

“We shot ourselves in the foot early in the game with holding penalties and two costly turnovers, which is usually a recipe for disaster, to let them hang around,” Sharp said.

“We finally bucked up in the second half and took care of things and had a good fourth quarter.”

Tyler Collins rose to the occasion for Sharp and his teammates taking a handoff and hitting paydirt from 49-yards out just nine seconds into the third quarter. Stottlemeyer hit Jeremiah Peterson for the two point conversion and Wayne led 20-12.

With just under four minutes to play in the third stanza the Canadian signal caller found an open teammate for a 14-yard touchdown. The ensuing two-point conversion was good and the game was knotted at 20.

The strong fourth quarter Sharp alluded to started with a familiar face in Collins breaking open for a 26-yard touchdown run less than two minutes into the quarter. Stottlemeyer hit McClendon for the two point conversion as Wayne took the lead for good.

Stottlemeyer capped the scoring with a 13-yard rumble to the end zone with 1:12 left in the game. Collins pounded the ball in on the two-point try and Wayne walked away with a 16-point Homecoming victory.

“Canadian played well. We preached to our guys to not take them lightly because they are a better club than their record shows,” Sharp noted.

“We were just a touch off and they run the Slot T nasty set really well. They did an excellent job scheme wise and you can practice their offense all you want but it doesn’t do it justice on the practice field like it does on Friday night.”

Koby Williamson drew praise from his head coach on the defensive side of the ball after a 12 tackle and two sack outing from his zero technique spot when Wayne was in their 50 defensive front. Riley Taylor also racked up a dozen tackles from his MIKE linebacker position.

“Koby played really well for us,” Sharp said.

Collins finished the night with yet another 100-plus yard night going for 188 yards on 17 carries and two touchdowns.

“We did what we needed to do at this point in the season and that’s all you can ask for,”Sharp explained.

The Bulldogs quickly turned the page Saturday morning to focus on the undefeated Konawa Tigers.

“They’re loaded. Their quarterback is an excellent player and they have a trio of backs and slot receivers that are extremely athletic,” Sharp said.

“Their fullback is as good as we are going to see. He’s 6’1”, 230 pounds and runs as well as anyone for his size and he also mans their Mike linebacker spot. They’re sound and talented at all positions."

The Tigers run a two-back set offensively and like to pound the rock.

“They also have receivers that can run and the quarterback puts the ball on the money,” Sharp said.

Defensively Konawa bases out of the 4-3 with three physical linebackers who Sharp said run to the ball as well as anyone. The Tigers also boast an athletic secondary who are able to lock down the opponents passing game.

“It's a big challenge for us. Our kids are excited to be in the position we are in,” Sharp said.

“This is definitely the best team we have played and we’ll have to play sound and not turn it over. We’re ready to get out and play. We need to keep it close, get to the fourth quarter and see what happens.”

Bulldog notes:

Wayne head coach Brandon Sharp nominated Tyler Collins for Offensive Player of the Week. Collins rushed for 188 yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries.

Riley Taylor drew the Defensive Player of the Week nomination. The Bulldogs MIKE linebacker had 12 stops against Canadian.

Sharp nominated Koby Williamson for Defensive Lineman of the Week after a 12 tackle, two sack outing last Friday night.

Zeke Gavia graded out at 70 percent on the offensive line for Wayne as he nabbed the Offensive Lineman of the Week nomination from Sharp.