By TAYLOR BECK, Sports Editor
GERALDINE — A week after celebrating a region championship, Class 3A No. 4 Geraldine showed no signs of letting up.
The Bulldogs capped their regular season with a 42-25 win over visiting Class 5A Douglas (5-5) on Thursday night at Coolidge-Isbell Field, pulling away in the second half after the Eagles kept things tight early. Geraldine (9-1) led only 21-18 at halftime before taking control in the second half to secure its ninth victory.
Geraldine Quarterback Jon Beck Wade continued his strong two-way command of the offense, totaling four touchdowns while helping fuel a dominant night on the ground. Wade rushed 24 times for 164 yards and a score, and he completed 4-of-6 passes for 97 yards, with three going for touchdowns.
Geraldine pounded out 357 rushing yards in all, getting 104 yards and a touchdown from Eli Schlageter, who also made an impact defensively with six tackles and an interception. Braxton Franklin added a 20-yard touchdown run and posted six tackles, while Cooper Johnson, Jacob Bryant and Ayden Rains chipped in to the rushing depth.
The Bulldogs struck first with Schlageter’s 7-yard run, but Douglas answered quickly when Carson Dowdey returned the ensuing kickoff 65 yards to bring the Eagles within 7-6. Wade and Geraldine responded with a 1-yard score, though Douglas closed the gap again in the second quarter on a pair of Baker Lyles 1-yard TD runs.
Leading just 21-18 at the break, Geraldine imposed its will from there. Franklin’s touchdown in the third pushed the margin to double digits before Wade delivered two more through the air — a 35-yard strike to Johnson and a 29-yarder to Gabe Garcia in the fourth.
Douglas kept swinging, and Krish Patel sparked the Eagles with a 23-yard touchdown pass to Layton Culbert late. But Geraldine’s balance proved difficult to contain as the Bulldogs controlled the second half to finish undefeated at home.
Bryant led the Geraldine defense with nine tackles, while Garcia and Kade Justice each finished with six.
Douglas (5-5) showed offensive versatility with 145 passing yards and 128 rushing yards. Lyles threw for 64 yards and rushed for 68 and two touchdowns, while Patel completed 4-of-5 passes for 81 yards and the scoring toss to Culbert. Treiy Crenshaw paced the receivers with three catches for 55 yards, and Culbert finished with two catches for 29 yards and a score. Judson Murray led the Eagle defense with 10 tackles and a fumble recovery.
Douglas closes out its third .500-or-better season under head coach Brandon Lyles — a notable turnaround for a program that had managed only two from 2000 to 2020.
Geraldine finishes the regular season 9-1, including an impressive 2-1 against opponents from Class 5A. The Bulldogs now turn their full attention toward the postseason, entering as the Class 3A, Region 8 champion — its first region title since 2018 and sixth in program history.
Geraldine and head coach Michael Davis are set to host Rogers (5-5) on Friday for their first-round matchup.
Douglas receiver Treiy Crenshaw (0) turns the corner on the Geraldine defense to pick up yardage Friday night. Photo by Douglas High School | BETH CHAFFIN l For The Leader
