The Wayne Bulldogs improved to 5-1 with a resounding 30-6 victory over the Wilson Eagles last Friday night at D.S. Zack Powell Stadium.

“The first quarter we were very sloppy. We had two trips to the red zone and came away with no points. It just took our offense a while to get going,” head coach Brandon Sharp said

After the erratic start quarterback Eli Stottlemeyer put Wayne on the scoreboard with a six-yard rushing touchdown with 8:15 left in the quarter.

Six minutes later Wayne was back in the end zone after Langstyn McClendon took a Wilson punt 60-yards to the house. A second failed two-point conversion left Wayne up 12-0.

The Bulldog defense showed its grit in the first half allowing just under 60 total yards to the visiting Eagles.

“The defense played well in the first half. Gave up a little more yardage in the second half but they were ready to play because it took our offense a while to find its rhythm,” Sharp said.

McClendon was back in the end zone in the third quarter after finding running room on a slip screen taking the Stottlemeyer pass 75-yards for the touchdown with 5:44 left in the period.

“Langstyn got us going on offense. His punt return for a score and his long run after the slip screen were big time,” Sharp said.

Late in the third frame Tyler Collins got in on the scoring action on a six-yard run to give Wayne a 24-point lead after a failed two-point try.

With 10 minutes to play in the game Wilson scored their lone touchdown of the evening on a short six-yard pass but their two-point conversion attempt failed.

Jeremiah Peterson found pay dirt with eight minutes to go for Wayne’s final point of the night. The eight-yard run and ensuing failed two-point try gave Wayne the 30-6 victory.

“Overall our running backs weren’t patient,” Sharp noted.

“There were plays there for us but they bounced too early and didn’t trust our pullers on the line. Overall, we played hard and did what we needed to do and came out with a big win.”

Collins had another 100-yard rushing performance going for 117 on 17 carries and a touchdown while Stottlemeyer had 14 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown and was 4-10 through the air for 101 yards and a score.

McClendon had 101 yards receiving and a touchdown to go along with his punt return for a touchdown.

Wayne finished the evening with 284 yards rushing thanks to the play of Lane Canfield, Zeke Gavia, Zach Norton, Nate Isaiah and Ryder Alexander.

“Those guys played well for us offensively. We always shoot for 300 so we were just under that. Overall, we played well. They’re a good football team and we did what we needed to do,” Sharp said.

The Wayne defense held Wilson to 70 total rushing yards thanks to the play of the defensive line and linebacker play.

Ryli Taylor finished with 13 tackles from his defensive line spot while linebacker Gavia finished with eight stops.

Koby Williamson had five tackles and a sack while Canfield made five tackles. Sharp also noted the defensive play of Logan Idleman. Peterson had an interception to go along with five tackles from his defensive back slot.

“All of those guys played well. To hold them to under 70 yards was huge thanks to the defensive line and linebacker play,” Sharp said.

“We gave up a couple big plays and if we can cut those out we will be okay going forward.“

This week Wayne travels to Allen to face the Mustangs at 7 p.m. Thursday night.

“They’re a young team this season after having a senior laden team last year that made a deep run in the playoffs,“ Sharp said.

Offensively, Allen will lean on trips open and doubles to highlight a young group of talented pass catchers and a solid starting quarterback.

“It’s a rebuilding year for them because they’re having to play a lot of freshmen and sophomores. But they’re playing hard and have talented kids who can catch the ball on offense,” Sharp said.

Defensively, Allen will base out of the 3-4 which Wayne has seen each week of the season thus far.

“If we can’t block their front there is something wrong with us because we’ve seen it so much this year. They like to slant their front and they do well getting penetration,” Sharp noted.

“They slow your run down with their movement and try to get your blockers off their normal path. They have a new coach who is doing a great job with their kids but it's a tough situation to be in.”

Sharp said his team will need to have a strong week of practice to go get the job done this Thursday night.

“We will have to play well to get where we want to be. Hopefully after getting after it this week we can go over there and get a big win,” Sharp concluded.

Bulldog notes:

Wayne Head Coach Brandon Sharp nominated Ryli Taylor as the Defensive Player of the Week. Taylor finished with 13 tackles in the win over Wilson.

Koby Williamson was the Defensive Lineman of the Week after registering five tackles and a sack.

Logan Idleman drew the Offensive Lineman of the Week nominee grading out at 70 percent from his left tackle position.

Sharp nominated both Langstyn McClendon and Eli Stottlemeyer for Offensive Player of the Week. McClendon had 101 yards receiving and a touchdown to go along with his punt return for a touchdown. Stottlemeyer had 14 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown and was 4-10 through the air for 101 yards and a score.