COOLIDGE — The Safford Bulldogs couldn’t overcome a fast start and big-play night from Coolidge, falling 28–14 on Thursday.
Coolidge sophomore Dayce Cade put on a show, striking first with a 75-yard touchdown run midway through the first quarter. Cade wasn’t done — he added an 86-yard kickoff return touchdown to open the second half and also caught a 17-yard scoring pass from quarterback Kenneth Franklin.
The Bears built a 20–0 lead in the second quarter after Franklin connected with Maurice Ford on a 19-yard touchdown pass.
Safford answered in a flash as Lamarr Ellis returned the ensuing kickoff 80 yards for a score. Moments later, Ellis struck again, hauling in a 62-yard touchdown pass from Dane Jacobson to cut the deficit to 20–14.
That was as close as the Bulldogs would get. Cade’s second-half kickoff return swung the momentum back to Coolidge, and the Bears’ defense kept Safford in check the rest of the way.
With the loss, Safford falls to 1–4 on the season, while Coolidge improves to 3–2.
