From Zac Chamblee

The Laurel Chronicle

LAUREL — The Laurel Golden tornadoes remained unbeaten at 8-0 after defeating the Natchez Bulldogs 45-13 on Friday night. In the losing effort, Natchez wide receiver Earon Brown had nine catches for 58 yards. Laurel (8-0) will travel to Wayne County, while Natchez (3-5) will host Brookhaven next week. Natchez Head Coach Lance Reed knew that turnovers would play a big role in Friday’s game.

“We competed for a while, but when we turn the ball over, we do not have a chance at winning,” said Reed. “That has been our Achilles heel, and we will try to fix that when we get back to work.”

Natchez found itself down early and often in Friday’s matchup.

After both teams exchanged a few punts, Laurel put together the game’s first scoring drive. Kobe Drummer capped off the 35-yard drive after scoring on a 4-yard run.

The extra point gave the Golden Tornadoes an early 7-0 lead. Drummer scored his second touchdown on Laurel’s next offensive possession.

This time it was from 26 yards out, and it gave Laurel a 14-0 lead with 10:07 remaining in the second quarter.

Near the end of the first half, the Bulldogs put together a scoring drive of their own.

Quarterback Anthony Robinson finished the drive by hitting Revonne Corey for a 2-yard touchdown pass.

The extra point cut Laurel’s lead to 14-7. With under a minute remaining in the first half, the Golden Tornadoes played aggressive on offense.

Quarterback Keon Howard hit Omar Bayless for a 45-yard pass to set up a first-and-goal for Laurel.

Howard tossed an 8-yard touchdown pass to tight end Octavious Cooley with 25 seconds remaining in the quarter.

With the extra point, the Golden Tornadoes took a 21-7 lead into the half.

After receiving the opening second half kickoff, the Bulldogs were looking to put together a scoring drive.

Anthony Robinson hit Kevontaye Caston for a big 39-yard pass, but three plays later, Robinson was picked off by Rickey Holden.

Holden returned the interception 96 yards to push Laurel’s lead to 28-7.

The turnovers kept coming for Natchez. After a Bulldog fumble, Malik Terrell returned the ball 48 yards for another defensive score.

The extra point gave Laurel a commanding 35-7 lead. Near the end of the third quarter, Laurel kicker Jonathan Atencio added a field goal to give the Golden Tornadoes a 38-7 lead heading into the final quarter.

Both defenses played solid throughout the game’s final quarter.

Laurel’s Darius Mcgee scored on a 3-yard run to push the lead to 45-7.

Natchez added the game’s final score after Robinson hit Malik Byrd for a 39-yard touchdown pass.