Bulldog freshman Matt Cole looks for an opening against Shawnee Mission West on Wednesday at Southwest Junior High. Cole rushed for three touchdowns as the Bulldogs defeated the Lancers, 30-16.

The Southwest Bulldogs freshman football team used a solid running game to outlast the Shawnee Mission East Lancers, 30-16, on Wednesday at Southwest Junior High.

The Bulldogs’ ground attack was led by freshman Matt Cole, who had three rushing touchdowns. The success of the Bulldog running game was a result of some intensive practices over the last week.

“We’ve worked really hard in practice,” Cole said. “We’ve been running up Remedy Hill (a lengthy slope on the Bulldogs’ practice field) and it’s been intense. I think we brought that today.”

Southwest’s intensity was a welcome sight to coach Skip Bennett, as the Bulldogs (2-1) were less than inspired in last week’s victory over Shawnee Mission North.

“We won that game, but weren’t intense,” Bennett said. “Today was a different story. The kids played great. That’s probably the best Shawnee Mission team and they played their hearts out.”

The home team got the scoring under way in the first quarter as Cole ripped off a 40-yard touchdown run to give the Bulldogs a 6-0 lead.

The Lancers answered quickly as they took to the air behind the arm of quarterback John Schrock and found the end zone to take an 8-6 lead.

Cole and fellow Bulldog running back added two more rushing touchdowns to give Southwest a 22-8 halftime lead.

The Bulldog defense stepped up its game as twice in the second half they forced turnovers as the Lancers were poised to score. Cole grabbed an interception at the five-yard line, while Zach Pence recovered a fumble. Southwest forced five turnovers for the game.

Late in the third quarter, the Bulldogs put the game away as Cole broke through for a short touchdown run to seal the victory.

Southwest travels to Shawnee Mission North on Monday.