BOGUE CHITTO – Tailback Dominique Addison rushed for 107 yardsand two touchdowns Friday night, leading the Bogue Chitto Bobcatsto a hard-fought 13-7 win over the Union Yellowjackets in the firstround of the Class 1A state playoffs. Addison, a muscular, 6-foot,210-pound senior, ran behind a large offensive line and scoredtouchdowns on runs of 20 and 6 yards on Troy Smith Field, pleasingthe large, partisan home crowd.

Bogue Chitto (11-1), ranked No. 7 in the Associated Press LittleTen Poll, advances to the second round and plays at Puckett Fridaynight. Puckett eliminated Enterprise-Lincoln 21-12 Fridaynight.

It was the third straight playoff appearance for the Bobcats butthe first at home and their first-ever playoff victory. Union(6-6), making its first-ever state playoff appearance, was third inRegion 3-1A and forced to play on the road in the openinground.

“Union is quick on defense and they fill the hole,” saidAddison. “They have a good team.

“It was a real physical game,” Addison continued. “We made a fewmistakes but we came out the second half and kept our heads right.We had the fans behind us.”

Addison said his offensive line was able to overpower Union ontwo long touchdown drives. The Bobcats went up 7-0 in the secondquarter on a 20-yard touchdown run by Addison and Lindsey Jackson’sPAT kick with 4:29 showing.

An interception of a Jody Blount pass by Bogue Chitto freesafety Michael Blackwell set up the 9-play, 56-yard scoringdrive.

Union nearly scored late in the first half, marching to BogueChitto’s 12-yard line before time expired. Cornerback DenardFerguson intercepted Blount in the corner of the end zone as timeexpired.

Bogue Chitto coach Carl Cole said his offensive line dominatedthe line of scrimmage. “We controlled the line when we had to. Wehad that long drive in the first half and then we were able to useup a lot of time on that last drive at the end of the game.” TheBobcats converted two critical fourth downs on the last series.

“I don’t think we have played a better defensive football teamthan Union this year,” said Cole. “This was an old-fashioned,hart-hitting football game. Union is good.”

Bogue Chitto’s defense helped provide the impetus to score theBobcats second touchdown. On fourth down at the Union 45-yard line,Blount was tackled for a 3-yard loss by Paul Martin.

Bogue Chitto took over and went 42 yards in 7 plays to paydirt.Addison ran his left end, cut back and scored from 6 yards out.Union’s Jeremy Hamm blocked the extra point try and Bogue Chittoled 13-0 with 1:16 left in the third frame.

The Jackets came to life on their next offensive series. AnthonyJohnson returned the kickoff 24 yards to the Union 39, launching a16-play, 61-yard drive.

Blount completed 3 passes on the drive and scored on a 1-yardsneak. Quincy Patrick kicked the extra point and Union trailed 13-7with 6:48 left in the game.

The Bobcats were able to maintain possession of the football andmarched to the Union 28 before Bobcat quarterback Jacob Leggett wastackled on fourth down.

Only 29 seconds remained in the game. Bobcat cornerback CodyWallace intercepted Blount at his 30-yard line with 17 seconds leftto play on a long pass intended for Derrick Harris.

Blount, a junior, completed 5 of 25 passes for 62 yards. TonyWarren caught 2 passes for 30 yards .

Blount led the Jackets on the ground with 11 carries for 54yards. Union head coach Brad Breland praised his team. “Union hasnever been in the playoff and this was a big step for us. Ourseniors helped us reach a new level.”

Breland said he was impressed by the Bobcats. “Bogue Chitto hasa good football team and they look better in person. Their defensewas better than what I thought.”

Bogue Chitto finished with 275 yards total offense, gaining 149yards on the ground. Tailback Denard Ferguson rushed for 47 yards.Leggett completed 4 of 8 passes for 63 yards.

Cole said the Bobcats played basic smash-mouth football. “Whenyou have a big running back like Addison and a big fullback like(John) Wallace and a big line, you run the ball up the middle.

“We have a bunch of seniors who want to get farther than thefirst round this year.”

Senior cornerback Cody Wallace intercepted Blount with 17seconds left in the game. The Bobcat secondary worked overtime asBlount filled the air with footballs.

“All they (Jackets) were doing was going long,” said Wallace.”It was just like I had turned into a receiver.”

On defense, middle linebacker John Wallace led theBobcats with 12 tackles, including 7 solo stops. Todd Davis made 10tackles.

@Bbstandings:STATISTICS

U

BC

First Downs

13

11

Rushes-Yards

30-122

48-212

Passing Yards

62

63

Total Yards

184

275

Passes

5-25-3

4-8-0

Fumbles-Lost

1-1

2-0

Punts-Average

1-35

3-26

Penalties-Yards

2-20

8-65

Union

0

0

0

7 – 7

Bogue Chitto

7

0

6

0 – 13

SECOND QUARTER

Bogue Chitto, Addison 20 run (L. Jackson kick),4:29.

THIRD QUARTER

Bogue Chitto, Addison 3 run (kick failed),1:16.

FOURTH QUARTER

Union, Blount 1 run (Patrick kick), 6:48.

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING: Union, Blount 11-54, Johnson 14-52, Warren5-16. Bogue Chitto, Addison 19-107, Ferguson 19-47, Wallace 3-9,Leggett 7-(-14).

PASSING: Union, Blount 5-25-3, 62. Bogue Chitto, Leggett4-8-0, 63.

RECEIVING: Union, Warren 2-30, Harris 2-24, Hamm 1-8.Bogue Chitto, C. Wallace 1-28, Martin 1-13, Addison 1-16, Blackwell1-6.