The Wayne Bulldogs remain perfect on the season moving to 4-0 after a nail-biting win over the Healdton Bulldogs, 16-14, last Friday night at home.

“It was a hard fought game and both defenses played well,” head coach Brandon Sharp said.

“We were sloppy at times and had a lot of pre-snap penalties. False starts and lining up in the neutral zone on defense put us behind the chains. But when it was time to make plays and stop them we were able to do that, so hats off to our kids.”

Healdton kicked off the scoring with a 27-yard touchdown run followed by a successful two-point conversion to take an 8-0 lead with 8:40 remaining in the first quarter.

Wayne punched one in on a one-yard quarterback run by Eli Stottlemyer with 5:57 remaining in the first half. The Wayne signal caller then found Langstyn McClendon for the two-point conversion.

The defensive slug-fest continued and the teams went to the half knotted at eight apiece.

With 2:50 left in the third the Healdton running back found a crease and took the ball 71 yards to put Healdton up 14-8. An ensuing failed two-point conversion would prove to be critical later in the game.

“Our defense played well but we got out of our gaps and their kid put his foot in the ground and hit the gap and was gone,” Sharp noted.

With only 3:06 left in the fourth quarter the Wayne offense was not quite finished. Stottlemyer found an open McClendon for a 12-yard touchdown pass to tie the score at 14. Tyler Collins hammered home the two-point conversion try and Wayne would hold on for the two point win.

“In the past we would’ve looked for excuses in a game like this. But we took on the challenge and responded well," Sharp commented.

“We had some mistakes but we held up in the end.”

Collins finished the night with 12 carries for 116 yards marking his third consecutive 100 plus yard performance.

“Tyler ran the ball hard. They had eight guys in the box and were bound and determined to stop the run game but we did a good job. Tyler is playing well right now and running the ball hard," Sharp said.

Paving the way for Collins and his running back mates were Lane Canfield, Zeke Gavia, Zach Norton, Nate Isaiah and Ryder Alexander.

Stottlemyer finished with 57 yards rushing and was 6-11 for 82 yards passing.

“Eli had crucial, hard fought yards on the ground and made great throws when we had to have them including the go-ahead touchdown,” Sharp commented.

“Both Eli and Tyler really stood out and played well. You can really see how Eli's matured since last season. He's a really great leader and has been playing excellent.”

The Wayne defense dug in and played lights out all night according to Sharp including a soul crushing fourth quarter performance allowing only 16 total yards of offense.

“We played well for four quarters and our kids stepped up when we had to have it,” Sharp noted.

The Wayne defense recorded five sacks from five different players that included Riley Taylor, Logan Idleman, Koby Williamson, Norton and Collins.

“Our defensive line played well. Their style of offense utilizing the flexbone and smash mouth football was a test for our undersized defensive line. But we held our own and made the plays when we needed to make them,” Sharp said.

Idleman finished with 10 tackles to go along with his one sack and Jake Turner made seven tackles from his corner position.

“Both of those guys played well and we were able to get our five sacks in big time situations,” Sharp noted.

Stottlemyer once again came up big for Wayne on the defensive side of the ball recording another interception.

“Eli's interception was huge and came in a big situation for us,' Sharp said.

This week Wayne travels to Wewoka for a 7 p.m. kick.

The Tigers are 2-2 coming off a 26-20 win over Ringling.

Wewoka bases out of the shotgun spread while utilizing the quarterback counter.

“They're extremely talented, fast and physical. They've got players all over the field that can run,” Sharp said.

“We will have to play sideline to sideline because they will get guys on the edge then hit you with a bubble screen and next play throw deep.”

Sharp noted Wewoka is battle tested and his Bulldogs will have their work cut out for them this week.

“They're well rounded and playing well. If we can go over there and pull off an upset we could put ourselves in a good position,” Sharp said.

“Our kids haven't been a part of something like this and we're excited and working hard.”

Sharp said the Tigers have one of the most talented receivers that he's seen in quite a while and they get him the ball in a myriad of ways.

Defensively, Wewoka bases out of the 3-3 stack with three strong interior defensive lineman.

“Their linebackers are physical and play sound assignment football. We need to play sound on the offensive line and make sure we follow our rules because they can get you to the ground quick,” Sharp noted.

“It's going to be tough but we're excited for the challenge.”

Bulldog notes:

Wayne Head Coach Brandon Sharp nominated Tyler Collins as the Offensive Player of the Week. Collins carried the ball 12 times for 116 yards marking his third consecutive 100 plus yard performance.

Sharp nominated Jake Turner as the Defensive Player of the Week. Turner had seven stops for the Bulldogs.

Logan Idleman was the Defensive Lineman of the Week nominee. Idleman finished with 10 tackles and one sack.

Sharp nominated Lane Canfield as the Offensive Lineman of the Week after grading out at 76 percent.