The Wortham Bulldogs have not been 3-0 since the varsity players were alive…The year was 1998 and now 2017.
Wortham was 10-0 that year but this Bulldog team is beginning to make waves in Central Texas with a dominating win over the Rosebud-Lott Cougars.
After an exchange of punts, Wortham had possession on their own 34 yard line. On first and ten near midfield, Stephon Ester took off on the first of three touchdowns with a 52 yard run. Hunter Turner added the point after for a 7-0 lead.
The Cougars matched that score on a jet sweep for a 48 yard score by Cody Wells. The point after was good and the score was tied 7-7.
Rosebud-Lott went to backup running back Ethan Easley, in for leading rusher Jacquorian Johnson, who was out for some unknown reason. Easley scored on a two yard run early in the second quarter for a 14-7 lead.
Wortham closed the lead with a takeaway by the defense. The Cougar runner was stretching for a first down when the ball was stripped and Brandon Coker recovered it. The Bulldogs marched 44 yards in ten plays and converted a fourth down on a pass interference penalty. Quarterback Kemontrell Jackson faked the handoff and ran up the middle for the four yard touchdown with 1:30 remaining in the first half. The extra point was no good and the Bulldogs trailed 14-13.
The Bulldogs scored on their first possession of the second half. Forcing a punt from the Cougars, Wortham took over at their 41. Ester had six carries and Jackson completed all three pass attempts, the last one a five yard pass to Anthony Perez for the score and the 19-14 lead.
Rosebud-Lott had to punt again and set the Bulldogs back to their own 16 yard line, by far their worst field position of the night. Ester had a 42 yard run on the drive and the final play was from 16 yards out on the final play of the third quarter. The extra point was no good and the Bulldogs led 25-14.
The third consecutive punt was turned into Wortham points on one play. Ester took the handoff and raced 57 yards for his third touchdown of the night and a 31-14 lead.
The Cougars cut into the lead with a touchdown run of 31 yards and the lead was 31-21.
Ester was injured on the defensive side of the ball and did not return to the game so the ball was handed to Hunter Waggener. He carried ten times in the fourth quarter and rushed for 65 yards and the final touchdown on a 21 yard rip up the right side for the final score of 38-21.
Ester had 24 carries for 250 yards and three touchdowns before his exit and Jackson completed 12 of 15 passes for 83 yards and a touchdown. He also caught one for eight yards. Anthony Perez caught seven passes for 49 yards and a touchdown.
Wortham will be at home again on Friday night with a date with rival Dawson. Wortham and Dawson will be meeting for the 68th time with Wortham claiming the last five in a row in the series.
Photo at Top – TEAMING UP FOR THE TACKLE is Ethan Perez, Dalton Sandlin and Ryan Mao for the Wortham Bulldogs during their win over RoseBud-Lott Friday night at home. (Photo by Jennifer Lansford)
