With a 37-14 victory at home over Smithfield High School, the Bulldogs will advance to the 4A regional championship game.

King’s Fork High School continues its historic season. The Bulldogs are now 11-1.

The Bulldogs started Friday’s game a bit slow, taking a 6-0 backseat to Smithfield after the first quarter. In the second quarter, King’s Fork finally got on the board with two scores at halftime and the game tied at 14.

“We didn’t play the best in the first half,” Bulldogs’ coach Scottie Littles said. “We did not execute well on offense, and we gave up a couple of plays on defense we do not normally give up. But this time of year, we are going to get everybody’s A-game.”

The Bulldogs played better in the second half. Sam Dunn and Dennis Whitehead each had two touchdowns for the Bulldogs. Justin German tossed three touchdowns, as Smithfield’s focus was to limit running back Darran Butts. Butts was able to get in the end zone for a 35-yard run.

At the end of the game, Littles let his team know he was proud of the way it had responded. He gave Smithfield credit for the game plan they put together for the Bulldogs.

“We were able to find ways to make plays in critical moments,” Littles said. “We had some plays where the ball just bounced our way. At this time of the year, it’s survive and advance. No matter how you get it done, you have to get it done.”

King’s Fork will have another home game when it hosts Lafayette High School for the regional championship. Before the game against Smithfield, Littles said, his message to the team was to try to get back on the bus, because the next time the Bulldogs will have to travel will be for the state tournament.

“We are home the whole playoffs, and we are trying to get back on that bus,” Littles said. “If we get back on the bus, we are going to play for a state championship. Our kids are really taking that to heart, and we are just taking everything one game at a time.”

King’s Fork 37, Smithfield 14

Smithfield 6 8 0 0 — 14

King’s Fork 0 14 10 13 — 37

S—Brodie 1 run (kick failed)

KF—Whitehead 3 run (Bile kick)

S—Jeffrey 5 pass from Drew (Brodie run)

KF—Whitehead 6 pass from German (Bile kick)

KF—FG Bile 28

KF—Dunn 61 pass from German (Bile kick)

KF—Dunn 33 pass from German (Bile kick)

KF—Butts 35 run (kick failed)