No. 2 Bulldogs crush Lions, prepare for No. 1 Plainview next Thursday
By DRUW GIAMALVA, Sports Editor
GERALDINE — It was smooth sailing for the Geraldine Bulldogs on Friday night as they secured a 62-7 homecoming victory over the Crossville Lions to improve to 5-0. The Bulldogs relied on their strong offense that has averaged 56.6 points per game in the first five games of the 2026 season. Geraldine will face its biggest test next Thursday as we see a No. 1 vs No. 2 face-off when the Dawgs host the Plainview Bears at Coolidge-Isbell Field.
“Just the excitement this game brings as far as bringing two communities that are this close together, it is really cool to have Crossville back together in this environment,” said Geraldine head coach Michael Davis. “It’s a great experience overall as far as the environment and interaction in the stadium. I felt like it was a good homecoming for us.”
While the Bulldogs came away with the big win in the 102nd edition of the Battle of Skirum Creek, Crossville remains in front of the all-time series 57-42-3.
With the win over Crossville, Geraldine improved to 5-0 while the Lions fell to 1-5.
To kick off the 102nd edition of the Battle of Skirum Creek, the Bulldogs were the first to get on the board as Braxton Franklin would run in a 15-yard score on the first offensive play for Geraldine. Lucas Phillips would knock down the PAT to make it a 7-0 lead.
Geraldine’s defense would give Crossville a lot of problems as the Lions would cough up a fumble that would give the ball right back to the Bulldogs. Geraldine would capitalize on the turnover as quarterback Jon Beck Wade would toss a 20-yard score to AJ Carter to make it an early 14-0 lead.
After forcing a three-and-out on Crossville, it didn’t take long before the Bulldogs were up 21-0 as Wade would find Kade Justice for a 32-yard touchdown.
The Lions would respond back with their own scoring drive as a Joseph Lopez pass would be tipped and caught by Gillermo Morales for a 74-yard touchdown to cut Geraldine’s lead to 21-7.
Crossville quarterback Joseph Lopez looks downfield for an open receiver against Geraldine on Friday night. The Lions host the Guntersville Wildcats next week for homecoming. Photo by DRUW GIAMALVA l The Leader
After the Lions first score, the Bulldogs would respond with a big statement as on their next offensive play, Wade would rush in a 51-yard touchdown to put the Bulldogs up 28-7.
The next Crossville drive would end in disaster as a blocked punt would give Geraldine the ball on the 1-yard line. Geraldine’s Clay Chisenhall would run in the score from 1-yard out to put Geraldine up 35-7.
Another mistake by the Lions would give the Bulldogs the ball after Braxton Franklin would recover a fumble. Geraldine’s Ayden Rains would capitalize on the mistake and rush in a 14-yard score to put the Bulldogs up 42-7 at the end of the first quarter.
After another punt by Crossville, it was Geraldine running back Jordon Lankford’s turn to join in on the scoring as he would run in a 36-yard touchdown.
To end the first half, Rains ran in another score from 16-yards out to give Geraldine a 55-7 halftime lead.
The final score of the game would come from Geraldine’s Bryson Harris who would rush in a 10-yard score in the third quarter, The Bulldogs would go on to celebrate homecoming with a 62-7 victory over the Lions.
“I thought we did some really good things but we have some stuff to clean up as well,” Davis said. “We just have to make sure we are locked in even when we have the game handled.”
Geraldine would be led by Wade who finished with three total touchdowns and 106 total yards. Lankford would finish with 46 yards on two carries and a touchdown.
The Lions would be led by Lopez who finished with a passing touchdown and 93 total yards.
The Bulldogs will now prepare for a No. 1 vs No. 2 matchup with the Plainview Bears on Thursday night at Coolidge-Isbell Field. Kick off is set for 7 p.m.
“It is a big game for us,” Davis said. “It will probably be the biggest game in the state. We moved it to a Thursday and we expect a big crowd. It will be a good time.”
Crossville will celebrate their homecoming next week against the Guntersville Wildcats.
Geraldine running back Jordon Lankford runs for a touchdown against the Crossville Lions on Friday night. Photo by DRUW GIAMALVA l The Leader
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