SAHUARITA- The Douglas Bulldogs improved to 4-1 overall, 2-0 in league play following a 21-14 win over the Sahuarita Mustangs Friday night in a Gila Regional showdown.

Scoreless heading into the second quarter Sahuarita scored first when quarterback Nate Moon hit Johnny Bryson with a 63-yard touchdown strike. The Mustangs opted to go for the two point conversion but failed keeping a 6-0 lead.

Douglas regained the lead on the ensuing kickoff when Joel Bello returned the kick 80-yards for a score. Mike Abrigo’s successful extra point gave the Bulldogs a 7-6 lead.

The lead was short-lived however as Bryson ran the ensuing kickoff back 90-yards for a score running the entire distance untouched.

In all of 29 seconds Sahuarita had taken a lead, lost it and then took it back. This time the Mustangs did convert the two-point conversion taking a 14-7 lead at the half.

In the third quarter Bello helped Douglas tie the game when he picked off a Moon pass and ran it back 40-yards for a score. Abrigo’s extra point tied the game at 14-14.

Aware of what had happened previously on the kickoff the Bulldog special teams was looking to avoid Bryson this time but somehow he found the ball or the ball found him and off he went. Just as he was running down the sideline one of Douglas’ special teams players managed to have an angle on him and hit him knocking the ball loose and the Bulldogs recovered at their own 23.

Quarterback CJ Teran directed a time consuming drive that ended when Hunter Long dove into the end zone from a yard out. Abrigo’s extra point gave Douglas a 21-14 lead.

The Bulldogs pretty much dominated the line of scrimmage the second half but this game was still up in the air especially after Bello was called for a questionable pass interference call in the end zone late in the game.

The Douglas defense held however and handed the Mustangs their first loss at home this year.

Unofficially the Bulldogs had 198 yards rushing and 19 passing. Bello had 17 carries for 107-yards; Long 12 for 54 and Hector Grijalva four for 31.

Teran was 2 of 12 in passing with both completitions coming in the first half.

The Bulldogs have their biggest test of the season this Friday night taking on an undefeated Santa Rita team in Tucson that has been steamrolling every one of its opponents.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

Douglas will be at home Oct. 16 hosting Palo Verde.

Junior varsity

On Thursday the Douglas JV’s fell to Sahuarita’s JV’s 54-21.

Douglas scored first on consecutive  passes totaling 75 yards from Diego Morales to Samuel Bello giving Douglas a quick 7-0 lead.

Sahuarita responded with three consecutive scores taking a 19-7 lead at the half.

The third period was dominated by Sahaurita who increased its lead to 40-7.

“After the first half we were totally dominated by Sahaurita in every facet of the game,” Douglas’ coach Clint Hill said.

The JV’s are back in action Thursday hosting Santa Rita’s JV’s in a 6 p.m. game at Armando DeLucas Stadium.

No freshmen score was reported to the Douglas Dispatch.