Bulldogs, Warriors to meet in first round

With a block by Trent Collins (12) on Eastern Greene's Zach Johnson (40), Union (Dugger) running back Jesse Lipscomb (7) breaks into the open field. The Bulldogs will host North Knox at 7 p.m. Friday in the opening-round game in Class A Sectional 40. (By B.J. Hargis/Greene County Daily World). [Order this photo]

North Knox (5-4) and Union (Dugger) (3-6) won't need a scouting report on each other when the two meet at 7 p.m. Friday at Dugger in an opening-round football clash in Class A Sectional 40.

It was just four weeks ago when the Bulldogs lost to the Warriors 46-8 at Bicknell.

North Knox rolled up 244 yards rushing in the first meeting. It was the first game back for junior speedster Derek Chambers, who carried the ball just six times for 58 yards and two touchdowns in that earlier contest.

Sam Conrad rushed for 69 yards and quarterback Dylan Caballero threw for 63 yards and two TDs and also rushed for almost 10 yards per carry (four carries for 39 yards) and one touchdown.

For the season, the Warriors, who lost to Sullivan and Eastern Greene without Chambers (injured elbow), have scored just over 21 points per game. The 46 points against the Bulldogs was a season-high. They give up 17.7, including a 27-6 loss to Class 3A Washington last week to conclude the regular season.

"When we played them the first time, it was Chambers first game back after getting hurt," said Union (Dugger) coach Todd Gambill. "He did not carry the ball much, but he still did quite a bit of damage. He is the kind of kid that you can't make a mistake on. He has the kind of speed that makes him a threat to score from anywhere on the field, anytime that he touches the ball.

"But they are much more than just Chambers. The Conrad kid also is a very tough running back. Their quarterback also does a good job of running the ball and also hit us for a couple of touchdown passes."

Gambill said they need a good week of practice and solid play from their offensive line.

"For us it starts in practice," said Gambill. "When we don't practice very well, it carries over into the game.

"They pushed us around pretty good the first time. We have to play stronger and better. We have to be able to get something going with our running game."

Gambill said the Bulldogs, loser of two in a row and 5 of 6, cannot afford to give up field position with turnovers

The Bulldogs score just over two TDs per game on average, but allow almost five (33.8 ppg).

"We have to tackle better than we have lately," said Gambill. "We have to play hard, stay focused and make plays on both sides of the ball."

Jesse Lipscomb (56 carries, 313 yards and four TDs), Dustin Howard (51 carries, 248 yards and two TDs) and Frank Boyd (82 carries, 221 yards) pace the Bulldog offense in rushing.

Quarterback Trent Collins has thrown for 501 yards and four TDs.

Sterling Langley (20.8) and Lipscomb (17.5) lead the team in yards per reception.

Notes: North Knox has won three in a row against the Bulldogs and has an 11-4 advantage in the all-time series. This will be the first time the two schools have ever met in the post season as the Warriors have been in Class 2A before the new sectional alignment this season.

Union (Dugger) vs. North Knox

Football Series

North Knox leads series 11-4

HOME TEAM IN CAPS

1963 -- N Knox 18, UNION (DUGGER) 7

1964 -- N KNOX 31, Union (Dugger) 7

1965 -- UNION (DUGGER) 14, N Knox 6

1966 -- N KNOX 19, Union (Dugger) 14

1967 -- N Knox 46, UNION (DUGGER) 13

1971 -- UNION 6, N Knox 6, Tie

1991 -- N KNOX 52, Union (Dugger) 6

1992 -- N Knox 46, UNION (DUGGER) 23

1993 -- N KNOX 49, Union (Dugger) 14

1994 -- N Knox 20, UNION (DUGGER) 0

2005 -- Union 24, N KNOX 18, 3OT

2006 -- UNION (DUGGER) 8, N Knox 0

2007 -- N KNOX 42, Union (Dugger) 0

2008 -- N Knox 31, UNION (DUGGER) 7

2009 -- N KNOX 46, Union (Dugger( 8

Union (Dugger) Football

Post season results

(5-24)

HOME TEAM IN CAPS

1985 Class A Sectional

Clarksville 21, UNION (DUGGER) 0

1986 Class A Sectional

UNION (DUGGER) 36, W Washington 12

Tecumseh 27, UNION (DUGGER) 0

1987 Class A Sectional

UNION (DUGGER) 45, W Washington 13

Springs Valley 33, UNION (DUGGER) 24

1988 Class A Sectional

PERRY CENTRAL 27, Union (Dugger) 26

1989 Class A Sectional

W WASHINGTON 26, Union (Dugger) 6

1990 Class A Sectional

Tecumseh 53, UNION (DUGGER) 0

1991 Class A Sectional

Tecumseh 53, UNION (DUGGER) 0

1992 Class A Sectional

North Daviess 27, UNION (DUGGER) 6

1993 Class A Sectional

North Daviess 33, UNION (DUGGER) 0

1994 Class A Sectional

Union (Dugger) 7, WOOD MEMORIAL 6

Tecumseh 55, UNION (DUGGER) 8

1995 Class A Sectional

Springs Valley 34, UNION (DUGGER) 6

1996 Class A Sectional

North Daviess 15, UNION (DUGGER) 13

1997 Class A Sectional

North Central 28, UNION (DUGGER) 12

1998 Class A Sectional

North Daviess 32, UNION (DUGGER) 0

1999 Class A Sectional

PERRY CENTRAL 29, Union (Dugger) 0

2000 Class A Sectional

W MEMORIAL 38, Union (Dugger) 22

2001 Class A Sectional

Linton-Stockton 53, UNION (DUGGER) 22

2002 Class A Sectional

TECUMSEH 53, Union (Dugger) 14

2003 Class A Sectional

UNION (DUGGER) 20, Covington 13

TURKEY RUN 62, Union (Dugger) 20

2004 Class A Sectional

FOUNTAIN CEN 31, Union (Dugger) 20

2005 Class A Sectional

UNION (DUGGER) 34, Turkey Run 6

ROCKVILLE 22, Union (Dugger) 6

2006 Class A Sectional

Fountain Cen 35, UNION (DUGGER) 15

2007 Class A Sectional

TECUMSEH 34, Union (Dugger 13)

2008 Class A Sectional

W Washington 40, UNION (DUGGER) 20