ST PAULS — For the St. Pauls football team, Friday was the culmination of a trying year that started with a regime change in July. According to interim coach Mike Setzer, the group has fought through the adversity and now has the privilege of preparing for a fresh season after defeating South Robeson 53-6 in the team’s final home game.

“I told them…it’s a new season, so now, how do we get ready for this first game, and how do we sharpen our saw and focus on the next step,” said the Bulldogs (8-3, 6-3 TRC) headman who likely clinched a playoff berth with the dominating victory. “We’re going to take every day as a new day and we’re excited about playoffs.”

Setzer’s group has reeled off three straight wins, all coming against conference opponents in Robeson County. Friday’s finisher came off the strength of an inspired all-around team effort.

Just four plays into the contest, the Bulldogs were on the board when quarterback Quamadre Cannady found receiver Jadakyss Glover-Graham on a short pass that he took down the left sideline for a 35-yard score. Cannady accounted for 119 total yards and added a 6-yard touchdown in the third quarter.

The next touchdown came two minutes later, this time from the defense when Anthony Campbell scooped up a loose ball and ran it back 20 yards to stretch the lead to 14-0 with 7:09 left in the first. On the ensuing defensive possession, it was the special teams turn to score as Zarron Glover recovered a fumbled snap on a would-be punt and took it the distance to take a 21-0 lead with 4:39 to go.

“We got a little bit of an attitude on defense where we expect the turnovers,” Setzer said. “We’re trying to find a culture here where people respect our defense and we’re big on takeaways and turning those into touchdowns.”

The Bulldogs defense was stingy the whole evening and only surrendered 195 total yards. The Mustangs were led offensively by quarterback Tyler Locklear who accounted for 80 of the yards and had the only score on a 1-yard touchdown run with 6:25 to go in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, the St. Pauls offense hit on big plays whenever the defense would allow them to gain possession. Running back Marqueise Coleman extended his county-leading rushing total and racked up 162 yards with three touchdowns on just five carries. His longest was a 95-yard sprint down the left sideline that put an exclamation point to a lopsided affair as they took a 46-0 advantage at halftime.

South Robeson (1-10, 1-8 TRC) coach Clay Jernigan wasn’t surprised by the big-time ability of his opponents and said he was proud of his young group for sticking with him through a remarkably tough season.

“They did everything we saw on film and it comes down to the Moe’s and Joe’s, not X’s and O’s,” said Jernigan, describing the athletic group that gave his young team fits.

“Believe it or not, this is the first year I ain’t made the playoffs, It’s a learning experience, and I had three seniors that stuck with me the entire year and that says a lot about their character.”

St. Pauls now awaits their playoff opponent which should be decided Saturday afternoon.

Donnell Coley| The Robesonian St. Pauls defenders Anthony Campbell (2) and Hunter Howell (21) try to corral a fumble. The Bulldogs defense scored two touchdowns in the 53-6 win over South Robeson.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/web1_STPAULSSCOOP.jpgDonnell Coley| The Robesonian St. Pauls defenders Anthony Campbell (2) and Hunter Howell (21) try to corral a fumble. The Bulldogs defense scored two touchdowns in the 53-6 win over South Robeson.

Donnell Coley| The Robesonian St. Pauls receiver Jadakyss Glover-Graham catches a short pass and takes it 35 yards for a touchdown in a 53-6 win on over South Robeson on Friday.
https://www.robesonian.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/web1_JADA.jpgDonnell Coley| The Robesonian St. Pauls receiver Jadakyss Glover-Graham catches a short pass and takes it 35 yards for a touchdown in a 53-6 win on over South Robeson on Friday.
Bulldogs close regular season with impressive win, prep for postseason

By Donnell Coley

Staff writer

Donnell Coley can be reached at 910-416-5165 or by email at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @Sportsinmyveins.