The Harrisburg Bulldogs arrived in Huntsville Friday night with only 14 of its 22 rostered players suited up. One of those sidelined for the game was starting quarterback Kadyn Weldon, who was pulled from the game in Week 2 with an injury.

First-year Harrisburg coach Parker Howard said he was concerned with the scoreboard. His goal was playing to the whistle and finishing the game.

“We had numerous freshmen starting. We had numerous guys who had to play new positions they’d never played before, and they were the 14 toughest kids. My goal to them this entire week was to be the toughest team over and over and over again,” Howard said.

Ultimately, the scoreboard spelled out a 40-6 defeat of the Bulldogs by the 10th-ranked Westran Hornets. It was only Harrisburg’s second loss to Westran in the last six games between the two former conference rivals, dating to November 6, 2020, when the Bulldogs won a 46-8 decision in the district tournament.

“I know how the scoreboard looks. Hopefully we get another shot at them in districts,” Howard said. “I didn't care about the scoreboard tonight. I cared about my guys finishing the football game, and they did exactly that. I couldn't be more proud of our group. We got so much better today because of what we did.”

Starting his first varsity game ever behind center was Brody Combs. The sophomore had his first starting quarterback experience four days earlier in the Bulldogs’ junior varsity game against Salisbury, which ended in an 8-8 tie.

“This was his first varsity start at quarterback. He didn't play quarterback in middle school. He didn't play it in youth football. He did a phenomenal job. He was a leader out on the field. He never came off the field other than the time he was cramping. I'm so proud of him,” said Coach Howard.

The night also marked a return of sorts for Coach Howard. A graduate of Westran, this was his first time back on the Hornets’ turf since his playing days, which included a runner-up finish in the Class 1 state tournament in 2014.

Any homecoming nerves were quickly extinguished. The Hornets went up by two touchdowns just seven minutes into the game after running just one offensive play. Westran senior Brody Kallmeyer picked off a fourth-down pass from Combs on the Bulldogs’ opening drive and returned it for a touchdown.

Kallmeyer then scored the two-point conversion to go ahead by eight.

After stopping Harrisburg on its next drive, the Hornets took over on their own 43-yard line. On the first play, junior Carter Wells broke free up the middle for a 57-yard score. The two-point conversion failed, but the Hornets held a 14-0 advantage with 5:02 left to play in the first quarter.

The Hornets scored twice more in the second quarter to go into halftime up 28-0.

A touchdown midway through the third quarter and another early in the final period put Westran in front 40-0.

But despite the score, the young Bulldogs refused to back down. What would have been a touchdown with five minutes left in the third quarter on a long pass and run was called back due to a block in the back.

Finally, with 3:09 left in the game, the Bulldogs determination paid off. A 28-yard pass from Combs to freshman Isaac Howell set up Harrisburg with a first-and-goal just seven yards from the end zone. On the next play, junior Tucker Lasley stretched across the goal line for the Bulldogs’ only touchdown of the night.

“We gave it to Tucker Lasley. I can't be more proud of him tonight,” Howard said. “He was a true leader. I challenged him many times this year, and he stepped up. He was a leader for us tonight, and we got into the end zone at the end.”

Lasley led the Bulldog’s offense with nine catches for 124 yards and a touchdown, along with three carries for 11 yards.

Combs threw for 155 yards, completing 14 of 32 passes with a touchdown and one interception.

Junior Will Cole led the Harrisburg defense with 11 tackles (7 solo), including three tackles for loss. Lasley added eight tackles (6 solo).

The Bulldogs hope to return to the field this week with a full roster when they return home to face second-ranked Salisbury (3-0) in a pre-district showdown. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.