The game went back-and-fourth all day as the Bulldawgs struck first with the first of 3 Mike Manning (24-47-3-308-3) touchdown passes, this one to reserve wide receiver, Cole Meiners. Meiners played the whole game in place of absent all-star wide receiver, Dallas Hakes. Manning set an RMFL playoff record with 47 pass attempts in the game.

Then the Rebels scored the next two touchdowns, both Kade Shawver runs, to take a 14-7 lead. Manning tied the game with 3:15 left in the first half connecting with also rarely used, Wade Edgar. The Rebels then capped off the half, proving they could be successful passing as Rebel quarterback, Logan Cobb (7-16-3-164-1) connected with Snake River high school star, Dewey Driscoll on a 37-yard touchdown pass to give the Rebels a 20-14 halftime edge. The Rebels passing game suffered as Cobb tossed up 3 interceptions on the day, however, Rebel tight end, Travis Goodwin had a stellar day, catching 5 balls for 115 yards to account for most of the Rebel passing attack.

The Bulldawgs then got the lead back in the third quarter as Manning connected with Justin Hunter (5 catches, 109 yards) for a big 27-yard pass play with 3:08 remaining in the third quarter. Shawver scored the go-ahead touchdown with 13:43 remaining in the 4th quarter and then the Rebels prepared for a furious Bulldawg comeback.

Smith made his presence known, recording 3 of his sacks in the 4th quarter as the Bulldawgs struggled to cross the midfield stripe. With 1:14 remaining in the game and the Bulldawgs facing a big 3rd and 20 from their own 12-yard line, Manning finally eluded Smith and broke the pocket to the left, finding Justin Hunter down the left sideline for a 49-yard completion that would have set the Bulldawgs up first and 10 from the Rebel 41 with a minute remaining in the game. A penalty, however, for "ineligible number in eligible position not reporting" was dropped on the Bulldawgs nullifying the play. Two plays later, Smith dropped Manning in the end zone to account for the final two points of the game.

Along with Smith, the Rebel defense was lead by Charlie Bair (7-1/2 tackles, 1 sack), Chase Beck (5-1/2 tackles) and Dewey Driscoll (5-1/2 tackles, 2 interceptions). The Bulldawg defense was lead by a monster effort from All-Star Deejay Stanger who recorded a play-off high 14-1/2 tackles on the day. Stanger also had an interception. According to Stanger, "big games require players to 'step up'. I'm just 'stepping up'". Other Bulldawg defensive stars included Casey Neilsen (6-1/2 tackles) and Anterious Gant (6 tackles, 2 interceptions).

The Bulldawgs were out-rushed by the Rebels 259-34, however, it was clear from the beginning the Bulldawg strategy was to attack the Rebel secondary and utilize Manning's speed and quickness to elude the Rebel pass rush.