The Wortham Bulldogs broke a six game losing streak to the Frost Polar Bears by winning at Bulldog Stadium 36-23 for their first district win and improve to 5-1 on the season.
The win snapped a 12 game district losing streak and a nine game home losing streak in district play and the Bulldogs are nearing 2000 yards rushing for the first time in several seasons.
Wortham took the opening kickoff and faced a 73 yard drive. The used the entire twelve minutes off the game clock in the first quarter and the 23 play drive ended on a fourth down at the Polar Bear 27. Frost went backward on their first two plays and the third one was picked off by freshman defensive back Ryken Lewis and his return inside the five set the Bulldogs up in great field position. Senior quarterback Brandon Coker needed only one play to follow his huge offensive line into the end zone for the first touchdown of the game. The try for two failed and Bulldogs had a 6-0 lead.
Frost put together a drive to lead to points. Quarterback Antoni Alvarado had a 14 yard run and connected on a pass to Korben Bowling for a first down. The drive stalled and Ramon Manrriquez stepped on and hit a 35 yard field goal to cut the score in half at 6-3 midway through the second quarter.
The Bulldogs offense returned to the field and worked on an 83 yard drive that consumed 11 plays, all on the ground. Coker and freshman Tanner Bean moved the offense and Coker added his second touchdown of the night on a one yard run. Coker passed to tight end Demarcus Bullard for the conversion and the lead grew to 14-3.
Frost only needed one play to answer on the short kickoff. Alvarado passed to Bowling deep down the sideline and it ended in a 55 yard touchdown. The two point pass failed and the Polar Bears trailed 14-9 with a minute remaining in the half.
The short kick by Frost put the Wortham offense on at midfield. Coker converted a third down on a 13 yard run to the 28 yard line. On second down from the 23, Lane McDaniel took the end around inside the Frost 20 as time expired, but a flag came in for a late hit and the Wortham Bulldogs had one untimed down from the Polar Bear nine. Coker dropped to pass and hit running back Riley Baker at the goal line for the touchdown. Coker added the conversion run and the Bulldogs went into the locker room with a 22-9 lead.
The Bulldogs began the second half taking over when Frost turned the ball over on downs at the Wortham 20. Coker had a 47 yard run and Clayton Munster added an 11 yard run and the Bulldogs scored on Coker’s two yard run, his third of the night. The pass for two was no good and Wortham led 28-9
Bean intercepted a pass the Wortham offense took over at their own 15 yard line. Wortham drove 85 yards in nine plays and finished with a Bean three yard touchdown run. He ran in the conversion and the lead grew to 36-9.
Mannriquez scored on a 52 yard run midway through the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 36-15 and promptly recovered the on sides kick at midfield. Alvarado finished the drive with a two yard run and the conversion run by Mannriquez to set the final score at 36-23.
Brandon Coker had 247 yards on 36 carries and three touchdown and completed three of seven passes for 25 yards and a touchdown.
Wortham joins Mart and Dawson as winners in the opening week of district play. Mart defeated winless Meridian 68-0 and Dawson won their rivalry game with Hubbard 42-36. Wortham will take to the road to battle the defending Division II state champion Mart on Friday.
(Photos by Jennifer Lansford)
