Van Vleck Leopards tried to erase Hitchcock’s sizable first-half lead with a strong fourth quarter, but lost to the host Bulldogs 28-18 Friday night, Aug. 28.
The game initially was cancelled because of inclement weather, but went on as planned under uncertain weather conditions.
In their first game of the season, the Leopards fell behind the Bulldogs 22-0 at half, but tried to put things together with an 18-point fourth quarter.
“Offensively the Hitchcock game revealed that we cannot start the game slowly,” said Leopard Coach Robert Blackmon.
“I was proud of our team and coaches for fighting for four quarters and not giving up when we were down by 22 at the half.
“We had a few guys step up,” he added.
“It was tough on us the first game condition wise, with the amount of players we have playing both ways, but we fought hard.