The Wortham Bulldogs had chances to remain unbeaten but fell short to the Granger Lions on the road Friday night 41-34.
Senior running back Stephon Ester returned to the Bulldog backfield following an injury two weeks ago and he did not disappoint. Ester carried 33 times for 250 yards and three touchdowns in the loss. He is only 83 yards short of 1000 for the season heading into district play.
Granger took the opening kickoff and promptly put points on the board. Granger converted a fourth down on a pass interference penalty. Ryan Pickett finished the drive on a nine-yard run for the early 7-0 lead with 9:44 remaining in the first quarter.
The Wortham offense hit its stride midway through the quarter. Beginning at their 24-yard line, the Bulldogs needed three plays to score, all on the legs of Ester.
He ran for seven yards and then bolted down the far sideline for 51 yards to the Granger 18. He rushed the last 18 yards for the touchdown. The extra point was no good and the Lions held onto a 7-6 lead.
Wortham took the lead early in the second quarter. The Bulldogs had good field position set up by a 28-yard punt return by Braxton Whaley.
Wortham travelled 32 yards in seven plays and quarterback Kemontrell Jackson scored on the keeper. The one-yard run gave the Bulldogs a 12—7 lead with eight minutes left in the first half.
The Lions would regain the lead before the half. Taking the ensuing kickoff and converting a key third down, freshman quarterback Thomas Rhodes found Jacob Peoples for the 43-yard pass and run. The extra point was good and the Granger Lions led 14-12 at the half.
The Wortham Bulldogs took the second half kickoff took the lead. Ester carried four times, the last for a one-yard touchdown run and Wortham took the 18-14 lead.
Granger regained the lead on the next possession. The 62-yard drive ended with Pickett getting in the end zone for the second time. His seven-yard run put the Lions ahead 20-18 with 7:51 remaining in the third quarter.
The see-saw battle continued in the third quarter and the Bulldog defense got into the act. The Wortham offense had their drive stall and Michael McGlone punted and pinned the Lions back at their own 11-yard line.
On second and seven from the 14, Rhodes was hit by the Wortham pressure and the ball landed in the hands of Dylan Martin and he rumbled eight yards for the touchdown. Jackson connected with Whaley for the two-point conversion and the Bulldogs took the 26-20 lead.
Granger wasted little time getting the lead back. Rhodes hit Pickett with a pass and ran to the Bulldog six-yard line. Pickett finished the drive with the one-yard run and the 27-26 with 2:20 remaining in the third.
Wortham had a nice drive at the end of the third and into the fourth and made it to the Lion 28-yard line. After an offensive pass interference penalty, Wortham faced a fourth and long inside the Lion 35. Jackson dropped to pass and was sacked and the ball turned over to Granger.
On second and one at the Bulldog 35, Rhodes got under center and ran the quarterback sneak and broke into the open and raced 35 yards for the score to extend the lead. The point after made the Lion lead 34-26.
The Lions added another touchdown to take their first double-digit lead of the night. Isaiah Williams scored on a three-yard run for the 41-26 lead midway through the final quarter.
The Bulldogs needed nine plays to go 63 yards after the kickoff. Ester had six carries on the drive and Jackson connected on all three pass attempts.
Ester finished the drive with a one-yard run yard for his third score of the night. Ester hit Whaley for the conversion and the lead was cut to 41-34 with 43 seconds left.
The on sides kick attempt failed and the Granger Lions ran out the clock to preserve the 41-34 win.
Wortham finishes the non-district record at 4-1, equaling their win total from a year ago. They will take a week off and then be considered a favorite for a playoff spot when the district season begins at Bulldog Stadium on October 13 when the host the Timpson Bears.
(Photo at top) – A NEW NUMBER DIDN’T SLOW STEPHON ESTER DOWN Friday night after being out due to an injury he sustained during the Rosebud-Lott game two weeks ago. The Bulldogs played a close game with Granger all night but fell short at the end. 41-34 final. (Photo by Melissa Perez)
