The Linden Patriots traveled south for the annual in-county region rivalry game against Sweet Water Friday night and hung tough for a half, but in the end the Bulldogs proved too much for the young Patriots, 42-20.

A strong running attack led by Jacory Brown and Jaylon Williamson was the key to the SWHS offense while turnovers and penalties haunted the Patriots.

Sweet Water took an early lead on its first possession of the game when Williams capped off a drive with a 6-yard run into the endzone. De’Shawnterion Blanks hit the point-after to give the Bulldogs an early 7-0 edge.

Linden was driving on the next possession but a fumble was recovered by Jah’Darius McIntosh giving Sweet Water the ball at their own 41.

Linden held the Bulldogs on a fourth-and eight play. Graderius Brown  hit two long passes, the first to Isaiah Scott for a 17 yard gain and later in the drive to Kevin Green for 18 yards. The junior quarterback also picked up yardage running the ball. From the 8, it was Green who took the handoff eight yards for the score. Scott’s PAT tied the game at seven with 7:35 to go in the first half.

The tie didn’t last long as Sweet Water took turns handing the ball to Brown and Williams with it being Williamson who took the ball in from 17 yards out. Blanks PAT made the score 14-7 with 4:53 to go in the half.

Linden proved once again they could score quickly, this time through the air as Brown found Green who broke one tackle and scampered 52 yards to once again tie the game.

After a kickoff return by Trenton Sams to the Bulldog 38, Jonah Smith found a wide open Chastian Washington for a 49-yard touchdown. The PAT would make the halftime score 21-14.

It was mostly the Bulldogs in the second half as Shamar Lewis extended the Bulldog lead to 28-14 with 6:24 to go in the third.

Later, Luke Davis pulled down an interception and returned it for a score. The PAT made the score 35-14.

Linden did get into the endzone with just under five minutes to go in the game. The point-after attempt was blocked, making the score 35-20.

After an onside kick and personal foul against the Patriots, Sweet Water sealed the win on a touchdown run by Lewis with 1:10 to go.

Sweet Water (4-1, 4-0) will travel to McIntosh next Friday while the Patriots (3-3, 2-2) will host  A.L. Johnson.