Princeton get first win under Mitchell

By News-Argus Staff
Published in Sports on August 29, 2004 2:02 AM

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Courtesy Jacksonville Daily News

DIXON -- Victory.

After 10 straight losses in coach Joe Mitchell's inaugural football campaign last season, the word was as sweet as could be to the Princeton Bulldogs Friday night after a 31-22 win over Dixon.

"I'm pleased we did something positive," said Mitchell. "It proves what we've been doing the past 12 months is starting to show up on the field."

The difference in the game was a bruising Princeton rushing attack that wore down the home team in a battle of schools both nicknamed Bulldogs. Princeton amassed 254 yards of rushing and exploded with 24 points after being down 14-7 early in the second quarter.

After Dixon threw a pair of halfback passes that went for long scores, Princeton seemed to calm down and began to move the softball offensively. "Then we stopped turning the ball over, and we were able to minimize our mistakes and started to click," said Mitchell.

Princeton senior tailback Keith Johnson rushed for 211 yards and four touchdowns in the best game of his career. Sophomore kicker Colin Parker connected on a 24-yard field goal with 14 seconds remaining in the half to give Princeton a 17-14 lead at the break.

After a scoreless third quarter, Johnson added two touchdowns in a span of less than seven minutes to seal the game.

Dixon wide receiver Thomas Earp hauled in six passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns to pace the hosts.

Princeton will host Union Friday in the Bulldogs' first home game of the year.

Princeton 0 17 0 14 -- 31

Dixon 6 8 0 8 -- 22

First Quarter

D -- Earp 43 pass from Rhodes (kick failed)

Second Quarter

P -- Johnson 32 run (Parker kick)

D -- Earp 55 pass from Rhodes (Rhodes run)

P -- Johnson 8 run (Parker kick)

P -- Parker 24 FG

Fourth Quarter

P -- Johnson 10 run (Parker kick)

P -- Johnson 5 run (Parker kick)

D -- Earp 33 pass from Holman (Rhodes run)

P D

First downs 14 14

Rushes-yds 42-254 xx-169

Pass yds 64 161

Total yds 318 330

Comp-att-int 2-6-0 7-19-0

Fumbles-lost 4-3 5-3

Penalties-yds 12-95 7-59

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING -- Princeton -- Keith Johnson 26-211; Johnny Phillips 6-25, Bren Hall 4-6, Decarius Scarboro 4-2, Chris Massengill 2-10. Dixon -- Carter 11-75, Rhodes 8-46, Bruton 8-21, Holman 7-7, Neal 4-20.

PASSING -- Princeton -- Bren Hall 2-6-0-64. Dixon -- Holman 5-16-0-63, Rhodes 2-3-0-98.

RECEIVING-- Princeton -- Brooks Moore 1-41, Patrick Gatewood 1-23. Dixon -- Earp 6-151, Rhodes 1-10.