The Spalding High Jaguars football team found a rhythm on offense Thursday night, scoring three touchdowns on that side of the ball. But it was Spalding’s four turnovers which made the difference in a 24-21 loss to the Dutchtown Bulldogs in Region 4-AAAA crossover action at Memorial Stadium.

Spalding, out of Division B, falls to 1-2-1 while Division A team Dutchtown improves to 4-1.

Three of Spalding’s turnovers allowed for 17 Dutchtown points Thursday in a game which Spalding had the edge in time of possession and fourth-down conversions.

The Jags fell behind 7-0 in the first quarter on a trick pass play. Quarterback Donovahn Jones threw a short pass to Brandon Thomas who in turn threw a 75-yard TD pass to a wide-open Rodel Shorter for the early lead.

Spalding had a chance to tie the game but the first of the Jags’ turnovers, a fumble from Powell Krepps, led to a 28-yard field goal by Dutchtown’s Ryan Kangiser for the 10-0 lead with 5:26 left in the first quarter.

Spalding dented the scoreboard in the second quarter. Krepps threw a 35-yard pass to wideout Anthony Bush but it actually went 34 yards. A Dutchtown cornerback tipped the ball and it fell right into Bush’s hands and he trotted into the end zone to cut the Bulldogs lead to 10-7. Spalding used the momentum to take its first lead minutes later as Krepps (7 of 11, 137 yards, 2 TDs) threw a slip-screen pass to wideout Rodney Jackson who scampered 34 yards for the TD and the 14-10 Jags lead.

The Jags held firm until the end of the first half, when running back Brandon “Cornbread” Thomas fumbled with less than a minute remaining. Jones threw to Shorter (9 receptions, 183 yards, 2 TDs) seconds later for a 20-yard TD with 13.3 seconds left and the score was 17-14 Dutchtown at the half.

Krepps called his own number late in the third quarter, rushing for a 1-yard TD on fourth-and-goal to give the Jags their last lead of the game, 21-17. The Jags defense, led by monster games from Jevaris Jones, Larry McCord and Courtney Johnson, held Dutchtown down and the home team looked like it would get back in the win column.

The Jags looked to go up by seven, trying a 39-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter. The kick by Jake Jeffcoat went wide right, however, and the score remained 21-17 in favor of Spalding. As the Jags defense held the Bulldogs down, the offense had a chance to chew up clock and preserve the win. Unfortunately for Spalding, it couldn't sustain a drive and then its third turnover was its biggest of the night. Krepps went back to punt, looking to pin Dutchtown deep in their territory. The snap was high and Krepps was tackled at the Jags 35, giving the Bulldogs the momentum with 6:27 left in regulation.

Eight plays later, Dutchtown’s William Smith scored a TD from 8 yards out to give the Bulldogs the 24-21 lead with 3:48 left.

Krepps engineered a good drive down the field on Spalding's next possession, but a long pass to Rodney Jackson was intercepted with 1:57 left, sealing the victory for Dutchtown.

Spalding’s next game will be its first subregion game of the year. The Jags play Division B foe Upson-Lee Oct. 5 at 7:30 p.m. in Thomaston.

SPALDING HIGH

Date |Opponent |Time

8/31 |Lamar Co. |T 3-3

9/7 |Rutland |W 20-13

9/14 OPEN

9/21 |@ Locust Grove |L 14-0

9/27 |Dutchtown |L 24-21

10/5 |@ Upson-Lee* |7:30

10/11 |@ Riverdale* |7:00

10/19 |@ Jonesboro* |7:30

10/26 |North Clayton* |7:30

11/2 |Griffin* |7:30

11/9 |Region Playoff

* — Region 4-AAAA, Div. B