DAPHNE, Alabama - The Admirals recovered three straight first quarter onside kicks. The special teams play allowed Bayside to build a 16-0 lead on UMS-Wright.

But the Bulldogs converted two Bayside fumbles early in the third quarter into touchdowns to tie the game. UMS used their three speedy backs to march 66 yards in six plays to grab a 23-19 lead, midway through the final quarter.

“We’ve got to find a way to win,” said Bayside coach Phil Lazenby. “Playing good is not good enough. We’re tired of moral victories.”

It was a respect for the Bulldog returners that prompted Lazenby to call for the opening kickoff to be onside. A good bounce gave the ball to the Admirals at the 42.

“We knew if we kicked it deep to them, they could return it to midfield, so it was worth a try,” said Lazenby.

After Tripp Puckett scored on a 6-yard run to give Bayside a 6-0 lead, Lazenby liked the way UMS lined up.

“They (the Bulldogs) kept running up there in a regular set,” said Lazenby, “so I said do it again.”

A great bounce again set the Admirals up at the 42. Eight plays later, Trey Smith booted a 40-yard field goal for a 9-0 lead. The third onside kick was converted into a six-play drive. Jacob Griddick covered the final 10 yards to give Bayside a 16-0 lead with 10 minutes left in the half. The score remained static through the intermission.

The third quarter belonged to UMS. Admiral quarterback Hunter Slater was sacked on the second play and coughed up the ball. One play later, Bulldog Troy Dixon raced in from 13 yards out. The 2-point conversion made it a 16-8 contest just 48 seconds into the third quarter. Bayside fumbled the ball away four plays later. UMS countered with an 11-play, 80-yard drive that chewed up five minutes. It ended with a quarterback sneak and another conversion to knot the game 16-all.

A 25-yard field goal from Smith gave Bayside a brief lead. The Bulldogs rushed back into the lead, thanks to a 17-yard scamper from Dixon.

With just under seven minutes to play, Bayside mounted one last drive, starting at their own 20. With the clock running down, the Admirals faced fourth-and-5 at the Bulldog 14. One more turnover, a fumbled snap, spelled the end for Bayside, who dropped to 2-3 on the season.

The Admirals (2-3) will host Straughn from Andalusia this Friday at Freedom Field.