ARCADIA – A 25-minute delay due to a power outage was the only thing that could really slow down the DeSoto County Bulldogs Friday night in a 24-7 victory over Mariner.

The Bulldogs used superior speed and a crushing defense to beat the Tritons. Only three quarters were played due to the power outage.

DeSoto rushed for 273 yards, with Justin Richardson leading the way with 136 yards, including an 89-yardtouchdown run, on eight carries.

Mariner, which easily defeated Lemon Bay in the spring game, couldn’t contain the Bulldogs’ speed.

“We knew coming in that DeSoto was a lot faster than Lemon Bay,” Triton coach Chris Siner said. “They just have a lot of speed.”

The Tritons’ only score came on a 10-yard keeper by quarterback Andrew Torres with 7:53 left in the game. Torres rushed for 31 yards.

“He played wingback for us last season,” Siner said. “He’s really an athlete playing at quarterback and I’m working with him to get him used to the quarterback position.”

Marquis Dickens took a handoff from quarterback Kari Williams on the game’s second play from scrimmage and raced 60 yards for the Bulldog’s first touchdown.

A recovered fumble at the Mariner 30 set up the Bulldogs’ second touchdown. Xavier Payne broke to his left, and swept around end for a 10-yard touchdown with 4:40 left in the first half.

The power went out soon after, but it was still light enough to finish the first quarter before the officials stopped the game. Power wasn’t restored for another 25 minutes.

Richardson broke the game open with 2:55 left in the third quarter on his 89-yard blast up the middle.

Two of the Bulldogs touchdowns were set up by fumble recoveries. The Tritons rushed for 63 yards, using seven ball carriers.

Mariner opens the regular season next Friday night at Bishop Verot.

Mariner 0 x 0 7 – 7

DeSoto14 x 7 3 – 24

First Quarter

D – Marquis Dickens 60 run (Ivan Valasques kick)

D – Xavier Payne 10 run (Valasques kick)

Third Quarter

D – Justin Richardson 89 run (Valasques kick)

Fourth Quarter

M – Andrew Torres 10 run (Justin Kuchle kick)

D – FG, Valasques 35