Ashe County Middle School saw its football team move to 3-0 last Saturday with a 20-6 victory over Alleghany.

The Bulldogs scored first with 2:25 left in the first quarter. Colin Ellis powered into the end zone for a two-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion was no good, making the score 6-0.

Alleghany went three-and-out on its next drive, thanks to great defensive plays from Matt Greer and Will Taylor, as well as a quarterback sack by Chris Bledsoe.

The defense continued its solid play in the second quarter. Caulder Clay picked off an errant Alleghany pass and returned it to midfield, giving the Bulldogs good field position for its next drive.

Ashe moved the ball down the field quickly, and scored another TD, this one a 15-yard pass from Ellis to Chris Lonidier. A pitch play from Ellis to Judd Price completed the two-point conversion, putting the Bulldogs in front 14-0. That score would hold through the halftime break.

Both defenses played well in the third quarter. Ashe forced a turnover on downs as Alleghany went for it on the Bulldog 15-yard line. Alleghany responded with a fourth down stop of its own as the Bulldogs had gotten the ball down to the Alleghany 40-yard line.

The fourth quarter started with a fake punt from Alleghany that nearly scored a touchdown if not for Greer and Tristen Jones bringing the receiver down at the ACMS 20-yard line. Alleghany eventually scored anyway on a toss sweep. The two-point play was no good. ACMS still held a 20-6 lead with 4:55 left in the contest.

The Bulldogs responded quickly with a touchdown run from Ellis. The quarterback ran by the Alleghany defense for a 35-yard score. The extra point attempt was missed, but Ashe had extended its lead to 20-6 with just 3:12 left to play.

After that, it was all defense with the Bulldogs forcing four straight incomplete passes. Ashe then ran out the clock to seal the victory.

ACMS returns to the field on Sept. 18 at home against Central Wilkes.