In a battle of the Bulldogs, it didn’t take long for Brantley to show Kinston who was the top dog with a 48-8 victory.

With just four offensive plays in the first five minutes of the first quarter, Brantley had 14 points to show, partially because of a pair of Kinston fumbles.

On the first play from scrimmage, Kinston fumbled at their own 26-yard line and Cassius Tillis scored from 16 yards out two plays later.

Again on the first play of the next drive, Kinston fumbled and Zane Johnson recovered it and returned it to the Kinston 15-yard line.

Again, two plays later Zach Johnson connected with Adam Hill for a 17-yard touchdown pass.

From there, Brantley continued to break off big plays.

Devonte Porter scored from 29 yards out on a run up the middle with 5:27 to play in the first quarter, and Johnson found Porter with a 47-yard pass and catch with under a minute left.

Before the second quarter was over, Zach Wiley scored from a yard out and Taylor Tew scored from the three-yard line.

As dominant as the Brantley defense was, the Kinston defense also stepped up and returned a fumble 65 yards following a Brantley fumble.

The only score in the second half came from Porter on a 46-yard run following a reverse.

One of the highlights of the game for Brantley was the special teams play, particularly the extra point kicking of Taylor Tew.

“Our PATs were certainly better tonight than they have been,” said head coach David Lowery. “We’ve still got room for improvement.”

Lowery also said that the younger players on the team played well and so did the defense.

“The defense still hasn’t given up any points, so they’re playing well. Zach Johnson has been throwing it pretty well, and that’s something we’re going to have to do better and better,” he added.