Late Pick Helps Chapel Hill Top Tatum

[Robert Galloway, Special to ETSN.fm]

NEW CHAPEL HILL -- After trailing at the end of the first two quarters, the Chapel Hill Bulldogs bulldozed over Tatum three times in the third quarter and then held on late to take a 42-39, penalty-plagued victory.

Tatum led 27-14 at the half before the Bulldogs, spearheaded by Reggie King and some hard nosed blocking, clawed back in it.

The Eagles (2-2) got on the board first with a two-yard run by J.D. Taylor that capped a 71-yard, 13-play drive that consumed almost half of the first quarter.

Chapel Hill (2-3) would answer as Reggie King, running out of the wildcat formation, tied the game with his first of three touchdowns of the night from two yards out.

On the ensuing kickoff, Tatum’s Denarius Earl fielded it two yards deep in the end zone and ran it 102 yards to give the Eagles a 14-7 edge.  Tatum upped the lead with Tavian Ray's 35-yard run.

With just more a minute left in the half, King scored a second time for Chapel Hill on a one-yard carry.

Tatum would answer quickly. Chaston Brooks returned the kick 74 yards to gave the Eagles a first down at the Bulldogs' 25. Taylor found Deyanta Roberson who soared between double coverage and came down with the ball in the end zone. The PAT was blocked.

The Bulldogs roared back in the third quarter with three touchdowns.

Tatum would regain the lead in the fourth as Chaston Brooks took over at quarterback and scored on a 50-yard run. The try for two failed and Tatum led 39-35 with just over eight mintues left.

Chapel Hill punted back to Tatum, but facing a 3rd-and-7 Brooks pass was intercepted by Jabraylon Franklin in the final minutes for a pick-six and 42-39 score in favor of the Bulldogs.

Facing a 3rd-and-25 from the Bulldog 36, Taylor found Roberson for what appeared to be first down yardage. Roberson fumbled the ball and Chapel Hill recovered to seal the victory.