By Drew Granthum | Shelby County Reporter

It certainly wasn’t the finale the Montevallo Bulldogs hoped for, as a tough season came to a close Oct. 30. The Bulldogs dropped their final contest 38-15, due in part to injuries and a strong Billingsley offense.

The Bears got going early, opening up a 12-0 lead at half.

The Bulldogs tried some trickeration after receiving the second half kickoff, as the squad attempted a fake punt on fourth down, but the Bears sniffed it out and shut it down before the Dawgs could convert.

It didn’t take long for Billingsley to capitalize. Three plays later quarterback Thomas Nichols hit Jamie Barnett for a 33-yard touchdown pass. The two-point try was no good, and Billingsley extended the lead to 18.

After another three-and-out by Montevallo, the Bears scored again to go up 26-0 after the two point try.

Montevallo answered on the ensuing drive, as Zac Oden found Ahmad Edwards for a 49-yard touchdown pass. Deigo Martinez’s extra point was good, and with 4:25 left in the third quarter, Montevallo trailed 26-7.

The Bears answered with a 5-yard touchdown run by Nichols, with the extra point once again no good. The Bears extended their lead to 32-7 with 1:25 left in the quarter.

Montevallo scored again when Oden hit Edwards for a second touchdown, with the two-point try by Michael Arnold good. With 9:01 left in the contest, the Bulldogs found themselves behind 32-15.

Billingsley tallied one more touchdown in the fourth, with another two-point try coming up short at the 3:18 mark in the fourth.

The Bears took home a 38-15 win.

The Bears move to 8-2 on the season and will face Kinston in the first round of the playoffs.

The Bulldogs fell to 1-9 on the season.

For Billingsley, Thomas Nichols had 11 carries for 90 yards and a touchdown.

Nichols was 7-of-16 passing for 156 yards and two touchdowns.

Derrick Dunnigan had 15 carries for 80 yards and a touchdown.

Jaytarius Steele had four receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown.

Dalton Davis had two receptions for 42 yards and one touchdown.

Terrance Nolen had 12 tackles, Rashaud Caver had 10 and Dunnigan had nine.

Steele had an interception return for 44 yards, and Tommy Williams also had an interception.