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Smyrna continues dominance over La Vergne




Smyrna running back Arion Carter celebrates a touchdown against La Vergne Friday night. KAITLYN HUNGERFORD

Smyrna running back Arion Carter celebrates a touchdown against La Vergne Friday night. KAITLYN HUNGERFORD

SMYRNA — When La Vergne visited Smyrna on Friday night for another renewal of their long and storied high school football rivalry, things played to a familiar tune — another Bulldog win.

The 35-14 whipping of the Wolverines saw Smyrna’s playmakers do what they do best, make plays. The junior backfield tandem of quarterback Landon Miller and running back Arion Carter had a big “S” on their chest as both played superbly for Smyrna.

Miller threw for two touchdowns and ran for one while Carter churned for 121 yards with two trips to pay dirt.

“I am really proud of both those kids,” Smyrna coach Matt Williams said. “Carter ran the ball like a beast and Miller may have had his best game as a Bulldog. He made some great decisions and had the moxie of a veteran back there. In big games like this you need your playmakers to make plays.”

Carter got things going early for Smyrna as he capped an eight-play, 80-yard Bulldog when he scored a 2-yard plunge across the goal line at 2:20 mark in the first quarter.

Smyrna Arion Carter runs for yardage against La Vergne. KAITLYN HUNGERFORD

Smyrna Arion Carter runs for yardage against La Vergne. KAITLYN HUNGERFORD

Miller took the lead on the next Bulldogs possession as he capped an 81-yard drive with a 16 yard touchdown toss to Teekas Minis with 11:11 remaining in the first half. Miller again was the man on the next possession as he found Jeremiah Bailey with a 17-yard scoring strike.

The 21-0 halftime lead had Smyrna up comfortably, but it was not all about the offense. The Wolverines had their fair share of early mistakes on offense, but La Vergne head coach Mike Woodward recognizes the Bulldog defense as a bigger reason his team was held scoreless in the first half.

“Yes, we made some mistakes, but I think you have to give their defensive line a lot of credit, too,” Woodward said. “They did a great job of disrupting what we were trying to do and put us behind the chains a lot early on.”

The second half saw more of the Miller and Carter show for Smyrna. Deftly orchestrating a 10-play, 60-yard drive, Smyrna’s signal caller scampered in from 5 yards out on the opening possession of the second half.

La Vergne’s Zante Clark runs for yardage against Smyrna. KAITLYN HUNGERFORD

La Vergne’s Zante Clark runs for yardage against Smyrna. KAITLYN HUNGERFORD

The Bulldog defense again rose to the occasion and pinned La Vergne deep in their own end. Forcing a punt that allowed Smyrna to assume possession at the Wolverine 28 yard line, Carter bolted to the end zone on the first play, putting the Bulldogs up 35-0 with just over 5 minutes remaining in the third quarter.

Two late touchdowns by the Wolverines gives La Vergne some encouragement as they ready for next week.

“We gave up some big plays in the first half and made it tough on ourselves,” Woodward said. “We did some good things and have to build off this and try to get better next week. I give Smyrna credit for playing well in all facets.”

Of course, the Bulldogs are happy to get another win over their neighborhood rival, but perhaps what is more important is they are now 1-0 in region play.”

“It’s always good to play well against La Vergne because they are one of our biggest rivals,” Williams. “The most important thing for us is staying healthy and winning a region game. I think we played a lot better as a unit and our defense really did a good job for most of the game. Now we have to continue to improve and keep getting better.”

Smyrna’s Mikey Vogler fights for yardage against La Vergne. KAITLYN HUNGERFORD

Smyrna’s Mikey Vogler fights for yardage against La Vergne. KAITLYN HUNGERFORD

La Vergne’s Javon Drake sweeps to the right against Smyrna’s defense. KAITLYN HUNGERFORD

La Vergne’s Javon Drake sweeps to the right against Smyrna’s defense. KAITLYN HUNGERFORD

Smyrna tight end Jeremiah Bailey rambles for yardage at La Vergne. KAITLYN HUNGERFORD

Smyrna tight end Jeremiah Bailey rambles for yardage at La Vergne. KAITLYN HUNGERFORD

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