The GMC Prep Bulldogs’ season came to an end with the loss to The Walker School Friday night, setting their record at 3-7 to finish out the year. 

The game was a back and forth grudge match that eventually ended with a score of 19-14 in favor of Walker, although it would take until the final play of the game for the victor to be decided.

Walker received the opening kickoff to start the ballgame, but quickly ran into trouble when GMC’s defensive pressure forced a fumble on the first play from scrimmage. The Bulldogs recovered in a frenzy and took over with great field position on the opposing 18-yard line.

A play later, Malik Foston was able to cross the goal line on a jet sweep to the right. 

The cannon fired an opening salvo and GMC was on the board 7-0.

An attempted onside kick was recovered by Walker to set them up with great field position.

The visiting offense wasted no time earning some points of their own when the quarterback connected with his receiver on a deep vertical down the right sideline that set the score at seven points a piece. 

A three-and-out forced a punt on the following Bulldog possession. A bad snap set up the Wolverines with great starting field position, and they once again were able to capitalize. 

This time the visiting team’s success came in the form of an underneath draw that scored to give them lead at 13-7 before the first quarter came to an end. 

The Bulldogs began putting together a methodical drive that took up most of the second quarter on their next offensive opportunity. A score seemed imminent, but the drive fizzled out and a missed field goal gave Walker possession before the half ended with the score unchanged.

The second half got off to a slow start, with both offenses turning the ball over on each of their opening drives of the half. 

Later in the third quarter, Walker was unable to convert on fourth down, and set up the Bulldogs great field position. A 6-yard sweep by Devin Stephens scored and GMC took the lead at 14-13.

Walker would prove to be efficient on their next drive, eventually scoring again on an inside handoff. They retook the lead but were unable to convert the extra point, setting the score now at 19-14.

In the final five minutes of the fourth quarter, Walker’s offense was threatening. However, a big defensive stand and pass breakup by Armanius White on a fourth down conversion attempt gave the Bulldogs back the football with roughly three minutes to go in the ballgame. 

A four-and-out by the home Bulldogs gave Walker back the ball with just over two minutes to be played. 

Walker attempted to kneel out the ballgame, but a miscalculation on the clock gave GMC Prep back the football with roughly 10 seconds to be played. 

“All you can ask for is a chance to win the ballgame and our defense gave us more than one opportunity tonight,” GMC Prep head coach Steven Simpson shared when asked about the fight his boys showed at the end of the ballgame. 

Brandt Smith was indeed able to connect with his wide receiver Armanius White on the final play, but he was tackled short of the goal line and the buzzer sounded to end the ballgame with a final score of 19-14 in favor of The Walker School.

Coach Simpson remained positive in defeat however, stating that, “We still have a great foundation to build off of moving forward. I stressed to the younger guys that this offseason they need to understand they aren’t the younger guys anymore.”

The GMC Prep Bulldogs have a lot to be proud of now that another season is in the books, and are now one step closer to becoming the program they aspire to be.