For the first time in four years the Delaware County Bowl trophy resides in Jay after the Bulldogs 35-21 win at home, against the Ridgerunners on Friday, Sept. 8. For much of the game, the Bulldogs and Ridgerunners traded the score back and forth before the Bulldogs broke free toward the end of the fourth quarter for the win. “It was a big win for team as far as confidence is concern and the big picture,” said Head Football Coach Warren Kirk. ”[A] great win for the town and the atmosphere here Friday night was pretty awesome. ?[The win] means a lot for the boy’s confidence and keeps this perfect season going one game at a time, going into district play next week when it really matters.” About the game Grove took a 6-0 lead toward the end of the first quarter quarter when quarterback Davis Dills scored on a seven-yard run with the missed PAT. Jay answered with a four-yard touchdown run from senior quarterback Gabe Simpson and Adam Beccera’s kick which took the score to 7-6. Grove would regain the lead in the second quarter after Toby Cearley hauled in a 59-yard touchdown pass from Dills and when Jones Chaney’s two-point conversion run brought the score to 14-7. Jay tied the game just before half time when Gabe Simpson hit younger brother Daylon Simpson on a 53-yard pass for a touchdown. Becerra added the PAT. Gabe Simpson added a four-yard run to give Jay the lead back in third quarter. Grove tied the game for the last time early in the fourth quarter on a touchdown run of four yards. Then Gabe Simpson put Jay up for good on a 58 yard scoring strike to Brenden Ryan and with the Becerra kick led 28-21. Ryan also had a big night with five catches for 130 yards. The final score for Jay came when John “The Ice Box” Culver took the football in from five yard out bringing home the win for the Bulldogs. In the end, Gabe Simpson finished with 481 total yards with 361 passing and 120 rushing. The senior had two touchdown passes and rushed for another score. “It felt great to finally beat Grove,” said Gabe Simpson. “I felt we all play really good. But we had some things like some dropped passes and we need to fix some stuff to make ourselves better. “It gives you a confidence boost when you beat a bigger school like Grove. It was pretty surreal to win our senior season.” His younger brother, Daylon, had a career night with four catches for 169 yards and a touchdown. “It felt good to help contribute to our team as we beat our rivals,” Daylon Simpson [It] feels good being 3-0 but we have to continue to work and keep it on track, keep it going.” For Kirk, the game was special, because of the fans who came out to support the team. “Some have said that they thought it was the biggest crowd they have ever seen at Jay,” Kirk said. “I want to thank them for come and helping us out.” The win was also satisfying for many of the Bulldog seniors. “It felt amazing to finally beat Grove,” said Kobe Budder. “The fact that it was our senior year makes it even better. “Being 3-0 is an amazing feeling after what has happened in the past. All the team and I have to do, is fix a few mistakes we make and everything will continue going great.” Jaden Shotpouch agreed, saying the win during his senior year was “one of the best feelings” ever. “I am glad that all the hard working is paying off,” Shotpouch said.“We have put in time and effort all summer long to be where we are. The team deserves to have a good season and make a run in the playoffs.” What’s next? Kirk and his staff is working this week to get ready for the next game, which takes place at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 15 at Gravette, Arkansas. “We are going to get on them this week hard that all season to keep them focused and not have a let down after the Grove game,” said Kirk, adding his coaching staff knows the team has a tough task ahead of them this weekend. “Gravette [is a] senior heavy football team,” Kirk said. ”[A] big football team, they will line up and run the football at us. “We will have to stop the run keep their offense off the field and when our offense is on the field we have to go get points. Take care of the ball and win the special teams and turnovers like we have so far.”