Jerod Trent of Doddridge County runs the ball against Independence in Friday night quarterfinal playoff game. (Photo by Amanda Ritchie)

COAL CITY — With victory in hand following its clash with Independence in the Class AA quarterfinals, a Doddridge assistant coach instructed the team to turn and look at the scoreboard at Independence’s George Covey Field.

It’s been a dream season for the Bulldogs who continued their undefeated season (12-0) and moved to the semifinals for the first time since 2022 in their first season as a Class AA school.

For Independence, No. 1 in AA for a bulk of the season before finishing No. 4, it was an abject nightmare.

Doddridge quarterback Bryson Dixon completed 11 of 23 passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another and the Bulldogs had four second half turnovers, one a game-clinching 65-yard interception return for a touchdown by defensive end Landon Thomas and the Bulldogs scored 18 unanswered points in a 38-27 victory against Independence Friday.

It was the Patriots’ first loss to a Class AA team at George Covey Field since falling to Liberty in Oct. 2020, before there was even turf on the field.

“Our team just showed the heart and the grit they’ve got,” coach Bobby Burnside said. “We’re undersized. We were undersize tonight. We came down here, had a long trip, and they just battled. It was a special effort and I’m glad it ended up in a victory for us.”

“We made too many mistakes to win,” Independence coach John H. Lilly said. “Anything I’ll say will be disrespectful to Doddridge County. They played a good football game tonight. They made the least amount of mistakes and when you get to this point the team that makes the least mistakes is going to win.

“I don’t know if it was the turnovers, they came late in the game when we were trying to make plays. There are no excuses. We’re disappointed.”

There was a time when things looked good for the Patriots despite a cool, wet evening, played in heavy rain at times.

Independence took their first drive and went right down the field, scoring on a 3-yard run by Sylas Nelson, who finished his career with 101 yards rushing.

Independence looked to have a stop, when, on fourth down, punter Brandon Davis threw an interception on a fake punt attempt.

However, Independence was whistled for holding and the Doddridge drive continued.

Independence eventually got its stop, but it was deep in Patriots’ territory and an interception gave them the ball back.

Brandon Davis scored on a 1-yard run with 1:34 remaining in the third to draw the Bulldogs to within 27-26 when it looked like the Patriots would have a 27-20 lead and the ball back in Bulldogs’ territory.

“That was a huge momentum call,” Lilly said. “We came out in the second half, made some adjustments and got a good stop out there and we get a holding call. I don’t know how that was a holding call, but it was, that’s what they called.”

Indy took the ball back but a fumble early in the fourth bit them.

The Bulldogs took the lead on a Dixon to Caleb Hall 8-yard touchdown pass that made it 32-27.

Once again, Independence had its chances.

They got the ball back after a nice return by Christian Linksweiler and a personal foul on Doddridge gave the Patriots the ball at the Doddridge 38.

That’s when Thomas struck with his big interception that made it a two-possession game.

“Landon is a great athlete,” Burnside said. “He is a kid who was an all-state receiver last year and plays defensive end for us. He plays defensive end because he can rush, he can seal the edge. It’s not his first interception at defensive end. He just made a spectacular play.”

And it, for all intents and purposes, ended the game.

Burnside said the Bulldogs played with a bit of a chip on their shoulder.

“A little bit, but we get it,” Burnside said. “We move up from single-A. I get it. We’re untested. But I feel like we answered a lot of tests. I just know they have a lot of heart.

Doddridge County led 20-19 at the half.

Dixon threw a touchdown pass to Jerod Trent and ran for another score. Lyric Blake had a one-yard touchdown.

For Independence, Brock Green had a pair of one-yard sneaks and threw a touchdown pass to Kaden Bradbury in the opening half.

Independence had a chance to take the lead right before the half when Landon Riddle recovered a snap that sailed over Dixon’s head at the Bulldogs’ 41. Indy moved into the red zone but an illegal shift and two incomplete passes into the end zone ended the threat and the half.

It’s the first time since 2020 that Indy (102) hasn’t made the Class AA semifinals.

Green completed 14 of 23 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown. He finished the season with 2,925 yards and 29 touchdowns. Freshman K.J. Viars had seven catches for 66 yards and went over 1,000 yards receiving for the season.

Nelson, who missed three games with a knee injury, finished with 1,328 yards and 17 touchdowns.

“I will remember (this team) for their resiliency,” Lilly said. “Last year we had so many negative things happen, and we battled through it. This year we had so many injuries, and we battled through it. I’m proud of them.”

Doddridge will move on to face No. 1 Frankfort next week at Frankfort.