STAR CITY, Ark. – In a thrilling Friday night matchup, the DeWitt Dragons narrowly defeated the Star City Bulldogs 37-36 on the road, thanks to a late touchdown and a crucial interception in the final minute. Both teams fought fiercely in this 8-4A Conference clash, but DeWitt’s defense held strong late-on.
DeWitt struck early in the first quarter when Korri Graham broke free for an 80-yard touchdown run off the right tackle. Wyatt Womack’s extra point gave the Dragons a 7-0 lead. The Dragons extended their lead just minutes later, as Griffin Whittmore intercepted a pass from Star City’s Jacob Boothe and returned it 75 yards for another score. With Womack’s extra point, DeWitt jumped to a 14-0 lead with 8:41 left in the first.
Star City answered late in the first, as Boothe connected with Caleb Williams for a 38-yard touchdown. However, the Bulldogs missed the extra point, and DeWitt led 14-6 at the end of the quarter.
In the second quarter, DeWitt’s Justin Ross added to the Dragons’ lead with a 30-yard touchdown run on a quarterback keeper, pushing the score to 20-6. Ross then found Travis London for a 43-yard touchdown pass, and Womack’s extra point made it 27-6. Star City responded with 2:37 left in the second, as Peyton Taylor powered into the end zone on a 2-yard run, and the Bulldogs converted the two-point attempt to close the gap to 27-14 at halftime.
Star City continued to fight back in the third quarter. Williams picked off a Ross pass and returned it 59 yards for a pick-six. Another successful two-point conversion brought the Bulldogs within five points, trailing 27-22. DeWitt’s Womack extended the Dragons’ lead with a 22-yard field goal, making it 30-22 with 4:31 left in the third.
The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth battle. Taylor added his second rushing touchdown of the night with a 1-yard score, and the two-point conversion tied the game at 30-30 with 6:36 left. Star City took the lead just minutes later when fullback Latrell Burris rushed 12 yards for a touchdown, but the Bulldogs failed on their two-point conversion, leaving the score at 36-30.
With 2:44 remaining, DeWitt’s ground game came through with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, and Womack’s extra point reclaimed the lead for the Dragons at 37-36. In the final minute, DeWitt sealed the victory with an interception, securing their third win of the season.
DeWitt improves to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in conference play. The Dragons will host Stuttgart next week. Star City, now 4-1 overall and 1-1 in the 8-4A Conference, will travel to Monticello.
