Bulldawgs Use Big Plays to Stay Perfect

Things could not have started any better for the Haddonfield Bulldawgs on Thursday.

After a fumbled kickoff put the Sterling Knights at their own 10-yard line, senior linebacker Matt Bhaya recovered a fumble on the first play of the game, setting up the Dawgs at the Knights’ 7-yard line.

After a 2-yard run by senior running back Chris Dengler, senior quarterback Dan Ciemniecki hit fullback Robert Perkins for a 5-yard touchdown pass that gave Haddonfield a 7-0 lead that they wouldn’t surrender en route to a 35-13 thrashing of Sterling.

“Early momentum is always important,” Haddonfield head coach Frank DeLano said. “When you can create momentum early and play with the lead, its always a little bit easier.”

The Buldawgs were able to extend that momentum soon enough. After forcing a punt on Sterling’s next possession, Dengler took a handoff on first down, broke a tackle at the line, and scampered 66 yards for a touchdown that extended Haddonfield’s lead to 14.

“It helped set an early tone,” Dengler said.

Sterling would respond with a field goal on their next drive and attempted an onside kick that the Dawgs recovered, and Haddonfield responded by going with a no-huddle offense that took them 54 yards in less than a minute. Dengler went 7 yards on the ground, and then Ciemniecki hit Michael Walker with a 13-yard pass. That set up a 34-yard pass from Ciemniecki to Byaha to give the Bulldawgs a 21-3 lead.

“That’s just something we worked on this week (the no-huddle),” DeLano said. “And he (Ciemniecki) is really comfortable in that. He sees the field well and takes control of the offense. Dan’s very accurate. We just haven’t thrown the ball a whole lot. We got some guys that can catch the ball on the perimeter too.”

“I think (the no-huddle) adds another dimension to our game,” Ciemniecki said. “We’re more of a ground-and-pound team, but I really think it adds another dimension for other teams to scout for.”

Dengler would have another stellar night on the ground, rushing 15 times for 186 yards and a touchdown. Ciemniecki threw for 148 yards and three touchdowns; all while being extremely efficient by completing 11 of 12 passes. Ciemniecki’s touchdown’s all went to different receivers. In addition to Perkins and Byaha, Walker caught a 15-yard reception with about a minute left in the first half that put the Bulldawgs up 35-3.

The second half saw a slightly different tone, as penalties and missed assignments on the offensive line helped prevent Haddonfield from scoring again.

“We gotta eliminate penalties,” DeLano said. “Our execution needs to improve, and we need to stay more consistent with things. We have big play potential, but we have to be able to drive the ball the length of the field, and not put ourselves in negative situations.”

Once the Bulldawgs figure that out, there’s no telling how good this team can be.

The 4-0 Bulldawgs return home next week to take on Lindenwold.