The Bulldogs' bite came in scores from four different players and a safety that left the lone, second quarter score from Knightdale quarterback Ben Bolling in the shade.

By the middle of the third quarter when Southeast had amassed a 34-7 lead, Bulldog coaches were able to breathe easily and Bulldog starters had time to hit the bench for a breather of their own.

Holding a 19-7 halftime lead, Southeast (6-0, 2-0) returned to the field with purpose and posted the remaining 22 points in those next 12 minutes for the win. Senior quarterback Gabe Henderson said the third quarter scoring spree was the result of a few basic reminders.

"We talked about how we weren't playing as a team through the first half," Henderson said on the sideline after his services were no longer needed in the fourth quarter. He went on to say the Bulldogs simply listened to the coaches, and whereas things came a bit slower and the team missed some key reads in the first half, things never stopped working in favor of the visitors after the break.

Southeast's wide-receivers coach Ron Bellamy said nothing really changed over half - the team really just stuck to its game plan and focused on turning the intensity up a notch. He said good things happened for his squad at the right time, and Southeast made 22 points the result of such fortune.

The Bulldog surge and mismatch in possession proved to weigh on the Knights' defense. When Southeast's offense couldn't bury the hatchet punting buried the Knights (0-6, 0-2) deep enough into their own territory to prevent a chance at building momentum, and the numbers are proof.

"We didn't get very good special teams play and had a punt blocked. It wasn't the best from us and that compromised our field position. You can't do that to a team like Southeast," Knightdale coach Kamelio Johnson said. "Our turnovers and special teams play resulted in 21 out of their 41 points."

The bruising began when 6-foot-6, 378-pound lineman Daniel McCullers made a celebrity appearance in the fullback position and took in a three yarder to start the final Bulldog rally, and after senior linebacker Kendall Moore snuck through the line for a safety on Knightdale's next possession the visitors didn't hesitate to take full advantage.

Henderson took the possession off the safety to a 35-yard keeper to the end zone before sophomore Tommy Branch rushed two yards for his second TD of the night and the final score of the game. His first touchdown, a nine yarder, was the first score of the ball game.

The other two Southeast scores came in the second quarter - the first a 24-yard blocked-punt return by Rashard Holt and the second a 29-yard pass from Henderson to senior Quentin Todd.

Johnson said he and his team will simply have to work hard, despite being in the middle of the season.

"Sometimes we have mental lapses even in the middle of the season and it's my responsibility as coach to make sure that doesn't happen," he said. "There's not an opportunity when you can emphasize that enough."

Aside from Knightdale's one fumble lost and one interception, Knightdale's and Southeast's game stats were very much in the same ball park. In fact, Knightdale finished the game with 25 more yards on the ground, but had three fewer first downs, 34 fewer return yards and 56 fewer passing yards.

Bolling finished the game 1-12 for 20 yards and the pick. Henderson finished 7-14 for 76 and the one passing score. Henderson also led the Bulldogs' rushing with 88 yards, followed by Branch with 61. Marcus Hinnant led the Knights on the ground with 78 yards, followed by Terrence Davis with 55.

Over its six wins Southeast has outscored its opponents 209-75.

The Bulldogs return home this Friday to take on Smithfield-Selma.

Knightdale faces Garner on the road Friday at 7:30 p.m.