The Bowdon High School football team rolled out a relentless ground game rather than a welcome mat as it played host to Haralson County, winning in convincing fashion, 42-14 at home.

Red Devil senior J.J. Beasley scored Bowdon’s first rushing touchdown, an 18-yard scamper with 5:34 left in the first quarter to put it up 7-0.

After a stop on defense, Bowdon (2-0) got back to work on the ground, with junior quarterback Avery Cheeks calling his own number, running in for a 17-yard score to make it 14-0 early in the second quarter.

After a Haralson County (0-2) fumble, Bowdon went for it on a fourth-down play that resulted in a big, 24-yard gain by Beasley, setting up an 8-yard touchdown run by Cheeks to make it 21-0 with 5:12 remaining in the half.

Haralson County had trouble building any kind of momentum and went three-and-out on the ensuing passion. The Red Devils took over and unleashed yet another long, clock-eating drive.

Bowdon’s trio of Beasley, Glenn and Maricio Askew moved the ball into scoring position late in the first half, setting up Jordan Loveless’ 2-yard touchdown run to make it 28-0 entering the half.

Bowdon’s opening second-half drive was halted as it turned the ball over on a fumble. This was the catalyst that Haralson County needed to get something going.

Rebel quarterback Ryan Rigdon put the ball in the air and gained chunks of yardage play after play. The drive ended with a leaping Rigdon finding the end zone from two yards out, scoring the Rebels’ first touchdown of the night. The failed 2-point conversion left it 28-6.

Bowdon’s fifth touchdown of the game came from sophomore Paul Hammonds with a minute left in the third quarter, while Nathan Montgomery recorded Bowdon’s final score of the game in the fourth on a run.

Haralson County got on the board again late in the fourth when C.J. Meeks hit Matthew Vohun for a touchdown strike.

Bowdon’s offense produced 369 total yards, while Haralson County finished 183 total yards, 112 of which came through the air.