Brandon Coker (pictured below) took an interception 16 yard for the go ahead touchdown late to send the Bulldogs to a 4-0 start on the young season with a 15-9 win over neighboring county rival Dawson.

The Wortham Bulldogs were without leading rusher Stephon Ester and key defensive player Dalton Sandlin and it showed in some places but the Bulldogs took care of the 1-2 Dawson team and now they have one six-straight in the rivalry.

Wortham took the ball first and fumbled away possession on the third play of the drive.  They played in their end of the field most of the quarter but held Dawson out of the end zone.

When the Bulldogs missed a fourth down at the Dawson 46, the visiting Bulldogs were able to move down the field.

Jakolby Moore broke loose on a 22 yard run for a first down and later another first run of 13 yards inside the Wortham 20.

The beginning of the second quarter is when Zane Guerra hit a 27 yard field goal and Dawson took a 3-0 with 11:08 remaining in the second quarter.

BULLDOG CELEBRATION IN THE END ZONE for a much needed Touchdown #15 Brandon Coker to seal the win for the Bulldogs Friday night against Dawson. (Above – Photo by Jennifer Lansford)

 

Wortham wasted little time taking the lead on the next possession.

Quarterback Kemontrell Jackson found Anthony Perez for a first down and on a third and three, Jackson found a wide open Riley Baker for the 37 yard touchdown.  Hunter Turner added the extra point for a 7-3 lead.

The teams exchanged punts until the Wortham Bulldogs committed their second turnover of the game.

The coaching staff moved Jackson to the tailback position and brought in Freshman quarterback Breven Tobola.

The first pass of his high school career was picked off by Nick Robinson and Dawson took over at the Wortham 25.

Horner completed a pass downfield to Brindon Dechaume to the Wortham three yard line.  Horner pushed his way through on the quarterback keeper for the go ahead score.

When Guerra lined up for the point after, the snap was mishandled and bounced backward.  Hunter Turner scooped up the loose ball and he rumbled 75 yards for the two points in the other direction.

That score would tie the game 9-9 with only three seconds left in the first half.

Both teams exchanged turnovers and punts to open the third quarter.  Late in the quarter, Dawson was driving toward the goal inside the 30 yard line.

Jansen Tyner reached for the first down marker and came up one yard short and the Dawson Bulldogs turned it over on downs.

With the score tied at 9-9 and the minutes ticking toward a potential overtime, field position was important.

Wortham punter Michael McGlone had a couple of punts that flipped the field.  He had one go for over 50 yards in the first quarter and he had a second that hit near the sideline and bounced down the line inside the 20 yard line.

On third and 12 from the Dawson 15, Horner rolled to his right to avoid a sack and threw the ball right into the hands of Brandon Coker.

He raced untouched into the enzone with 1:17 remaining in the game the Wortham Bulldogs took a 15-9 lead when the point after failed.

Dawson picked up a couple first downs in the final minute but an incomplete pass on fourth down clinched the game for Wortham.

Without Ester in the lineup the Bulldog offense had 51 yards on 23 carries and only ran 38 plays the entire night.

The defense will be credited with the win sending Wortham to 4-0 heading into the last week of September.

Jackson completed seven off ten passes for 95 yards and a touchdown.

The Wortham Bulldogs will travel to Granger to take on the Lions in the final non-district game before taking a week off prior to beginning district play.

 

(Pictured at Top) – It’s a great catch by Wortham’s #14 Braxton Whaley in Friday night’s win against Dawson. (Photo by Monte Calame)