The Wortham Bulldogs had three touchdowns each from two running backs and cruised to a 44-20 win over the Kerens Bobcats in the season opener.
Tanner Bean and Kymani Johnson each scored three times and Wortham built a 32-14 halftime lead. Bean finished with 134 rushing yards and Johnson added 135 to the rushing total, while holding the Bobcats under 100 rushing yards on the night.
The game was moved to Thursday night when coaches were notified the officials shortage would affect the game if it remained on Friday night. The Bulldogs made the trip on Thursday so the officals chapter could make arrangement and accommodate both teams.
Kerens took the opening possession and mounted an impressive drive. They converted a key third down when quarterback Lane Lynch connected with Mykel Lattimore for an 18-yard play into Wortham territory. On second down, the same two connected on a 42-yard touchdown pass, with Lattimore getting the ball at the highest point, pulling it down and outrunning the Bulldog defense to the goal line. Adrian Solis added the extra point and Bobcats held the early 7-0 lead.
The Bulldogs made quick work of their first possession. Yancey Bean took the kick and moved through the coverage for 34 yards and set the Wortham offense on the plus side of the 50-yard line. Never facing a third down situation, the Wortham offense marched 45 yards six plays.
Tanner Bean had a walk-in touchdown from one yard out and the Bulldogs cut the lead to 7-6. Bean also scored the conversion and the Bulldogs had an 8-7 lead midway through the first quarter.
On the ensuing kickoff, the Bobcats bobbled the kick and Isaiah Tull pounced on it and the Bulldogs were back in business at the Kerens 33. Senior quarterback Ryken Lewis completed a 22-yard pass to Cash Perez and Kymani Johnson took care of the rest on an 11-yard touchdown run. He added the conversion and the Bulldogs stretched the lead to 16-7.
The Bulldog defense forced a three and out and took advantage of a short punt. Johnson ran for 16 yards and Yancey Bean added a nine-yard run and a first down. A dump off pass to Jessie Saldana put the Bulldogs in scoring position and Bean scored his second touchdown of the game on a seven-yard run. He added his third conversion of the night for the 24-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Kerens put together another impressive drive to open the second quarter. The running of Massey moved the ball down the field and took over six minutes off the clock. On third down from just outside the twenty, Lattimore caught the pass from Lynch for the touchdown, cutting the lead to 24-14.
The Wortham offense answered that touchdown on their next possession. The Bulldogs travelled 52 yards in eight plays, all on the ground, and Johnson added his second touchdown of the night on an 11-yard run. Bean took care of the conversion, his fourth of the night, and the Bulldogs held a 32-14 halftime lead.
Wortham took the ball to open the second half and the offense continued to click. On the first play from scrimmage, Johnson broke away for a 68-yard touchdown run, but it was nullified by a holding penalty. On a penalty plagued drive, seventy yards worth, the Bulldogs were able to hit the final big play to put the game away. Johnson took the ball off right tackle and his open field running was solid on the 39-yard touchdown run. The conversion was no good and the Bulldog lead 38-14.
Kerens had an answer to cut into the lead but they would get no closer. Lynch passed to Gunnel for 26 yards to the Wortham nine-yard line.
Two plays later, Massey scored on a seven-yard plunge and the lead was cut to 38-20 following the failed two-point pass.
The Bulldogs would answer for the third straight time following a Bobcat score. Johnson and Bean were adding to the offensive totals with Bean running right on a fourth down, reversed his field and cut up the near side for a 30-yard run. Lewis converted a third down when he ran inside the ten for a first down to close out the third quarter. Bean finished the drive with a three-yard run and the 44-20 lead.
Kerens mounted a 12-play drive in the final moments and the Bobcats were turned around when they could not convert a fourth down and goal from the four-yard line.
The Wortham Bulldogs return home for their first game behind the walls when the host the Rosebud-Lott Cougars on Friday night.
(Photos by Melissa Perez)
