Timquarian Johnson returned to quarterback in week two following a one-week hiatus. The senior was good completing 12 of 19 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown. Johnson’s 63% completion percentage equals the best in his career. Johnson also added 11 yards on two carries.
It wasn’t just the passing statistics that looked good for the multisport athlete. Johnson looked very comfortable running Josh Price’s offense. Some of that confidence must have come from the pass protection offered him by the Stuttgart offensive line.
Much maligned, Stuttgart’s offensive line pass protected well against the Bulldogs. Star City did not record a sack for the game and rarely did the defensive front garner backfield penetration. This allowed Johnson more time than usual to scan the field leading to a solid night through the air.
The Ricebirds ran the ball effectively but not to the level that Head Coach Josh Price expects on a weekly basis.
David Walker paced the Birds with 46 yards on six carries while Derrick Amos recorded 24 yards on five carries. In total Stuttgart ran the ball 22 times for 118 yards, good for 5.4 yards per carry. Good but far from great.
Star City opened the game on offense and marched the ball 62 yards in 11 plays before the Ricebird defense stiffened inside the 15-yard line. The Bulldogs missed a 25-yard field goal to give the ball to Stuttgart.
On the drive, Stuttgart struggled to wrap up the Bulldog ball carriers as four missed tackles led to 34 yards after the first contact. After shoring up those woes following that first drive, the Bulldogs did not move the ball with such efficiency again.
The Ricebird defense was led by Arion White who recorded 13 tackles, three for loss. Mitchell Stovesand had two tackles for loss including an interception and pass break up. In total, the Ricebird secondary broke up five passes, intercepting two.
Stuttgart’s first score came on their opening drive when Tim Johnson took the ball in from five yards out to cap an 80-yard drive that took only six plays. Back to back runs by David Walker would set Stuttgart up inside the five-yard line before Johnson finished the possession. Paulo Palamino’s point after attempt was good and Stuttgart led 7-0 with 4:13 remaining in the first quarter.
The Birds scored again with 11:20 remaining in the second quarter when Glenn Bradford plunged in from one yard out to complete an eight-play 72-yard drive. The drive saw Stuttgart mix the run and pass to cover the yardage in 2:01. The point after attempt was blocked leaving Stuttgart ahead 13-0.
Star City would turn the ball over on the third play of their ensuing drive when Tyion Berry completed an acrobatic interception on Stuttgart’s sideline that set his offense up with the ball at the Star City 35 yard line.
Stuttgart used five plays to score again when Johnson found Davion Graham for a nine-yard pass and catch to put the Birds up 20-0.
Graham’s 82 all-purpose yards on Friday night led all Stuttgart players. The senior has been inconsistent since his breakout sophomore season but with his 6'4? frame and athleticism he could become a go-to player for Johnson in their final season as Ricebirds.
Stuttgart was in business again on the next Star City drive when Mitchell Stovesand intercepted a pass at the Ricebird 35 yard line. Stuttgart went three and out, however.
Neither team moved the ball the remainder of the first half and the two teams headed to the locker room with Stuttgart holding a 20-0 advantage.
Stuttgart opened the second half on offense but Tim Johnson was intercepted on the first play from scrimmage. This would be the Ricebirds’ lone turnover for the game.
The Birds scored again with 1:01 remaining in the third quarter when Stuttgart recovered a fumble in the end zone following a bad Star City snap. The two-point conversion attempt was no good leading to a 26-0 Stuttgart lead.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Bulldogs finally got on the board when Alek Taylor returned the Stuttgart kickoff 88 yards, untouched. The Bulldogs drilled the point after to make the score 26-7.
Stuttgart got on the board once more with 5:21 remaining in the game when David Walker scored from one yard out. Palamino’s point after was good leading to the game’s final score of 33-7... Click here to read full article
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