The Bowdon High School football team's offense was too much for Haralson County as the Red Devils cruised to a 49-18 win at Warren P. Sewell Field Friday night.

Bowdon (2-0) took an early 7-0 lead before a pair of Rebel fumbles gave the Red Devils good field position and turned it into a 21-0 game early.

"I was pleased. I was shocked how quickly we went up 21 zip. I was real impressed watching them play Lithia Springs, but our team came out fast and thought defensively we tackled better than we did last week. Overall I thought we took a step forward this week," Bowdon head coach Dwight Hochstetler said.

After Haralson County (1-1) and Bowdon traded possessions early, the Red Devils put together a seven-play, 43-yard drive capped by a six-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Wright to J.B. Stevens to take the early 7-0 lead.

The Red Devils then capitalized on two HC fumbles on back-to-back possessions.

"It gave them a short field, it was 14 [points] right there and we were fighting for our lives. It was 21 nothing, we score, we still think we have a chance. We're moving the ball, punching it around, doing the little things, but, those we're stupid," Haralson County coach Alan Lane said of the turnovers.

The fumbles — recovered by Slade Parmer and Austin Bradley — gave Bowdon a short field and scored on a 33-yard drive and 20-yard drive.

Maricio "Poo Poo" Askew scored the first touchdown off a turnover on a two-yard run and Stevens caught his second touchdown pass, this time a 24-yard strike and the Red Devils were up 21-0.

Hochstetler was pleased with the way his team responded to the HC defense.

"They was geared to stop the run so that opened up the passing game a lot with one-on-one coverage and we took advantage of it. We find out what they're giving us, what they're taking away and attack what they're giving us," Hochstetler said.

Haralson County got on the board its following drive as the Rebels went 69 yards in nine plays with Nii-Okai Reindorf doing most of the damage. The junior fullback carried the ball seven times for 60 yards on the drive, including the four-yard touchdown run.

The extra point was missed and the Rebels were down 21-6.

Bowdon responded with another touchdown drive of their own. This time the Red Devils went 47 yards in six plays and got into the end zone on Wezley Stephens' 14-yard run, giving Bowdon the 28-6 halftime lead.

"We do good things, then we do something bad. I think we had more yards offense than we did them, in the first half at least, and we were down by [three] touchdowns. Still, if we can just fix the little things we could have been in this ball game. That's what's crazy about it. We'll get better, it's not a sprint it's a marathon and we've got eight more," Lane.

The Red Devil offense continued to roll in the second half as they took the opening drive 65 yards for a score. Askew found the end zone for the second time Friday night on a six-yard run, giving Bowdon the 35-6 lead.

"[Askew's] a threat to score any given time he touches the ball. We've got Wezley's the same way. We finally blocked the trap correctly and if we block he's off to the races. The kid's going to be a player for us," Hochstetler said.

HC came right back and scored on a 50-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Wrenn to Reindorf. The Rebels' two-point try failed, and it was a 35-12 game.

Bowdon would score the next two touchdowns of the game.

Driving 15 yards in three plays after a failed fake punt attempt, back up quarterback Thurman Marcus scored on a nine-yard run. Then Pearce Kirk scored on a three-yard run and the Red Devils went up 49-12.

Haralson County had one final drive left in them as Wrenn found Seth Neely for 18 yards, then Reindorf rushed for a 43-yard pick up and then the four-yard score to give the final tally of 49-18.

"Our kids responded well and our goal is to get better each week. I hope we come out Tuesday and have a great attitude because we face a real good Heard County team next week," Hochstetler said.

Reindorf led the HC offense with 149 yards rushing on 21 carries, one reception for 50 yards and all three Rebel touchdowns. Gabe Johnson also rushed the ball eight times for 53 yards.

But while Reindorf was a factor, he alone couldn't bring the Rebels back.

"[Friday] night it was so far behind you can't get back running dives up the middle. You can't get four touchdowns by running the fullback up the middle. The quarterback and some of the receivers just aren't ready right now for playing catch up yet, but we're going to have to be. We're going to be behind again," Lane said.

For Bowdon, Askew led a balanced attack with 83 yards on nine carries and two touchdowns while J.B. Stephens accounted for 65 yards on five receptions and a pair of touchdowns.