The Wortham Bulldogs built a 32-0 lead in the first six minutes in windy and cold conditions and dominated the Clarksville Tigers 54-6 in the bi-district round at Eustace High School on Friday night.
Wortham moves on to take on the top ten ranked Price-Carlisle Indians at Palestine High School Friday night.
The Bulldogs took the ball first and ran through and undermanned defensive unit. Jon Ross Black returned the opening kickoff to the Tiger 33 yard line. Senior running back Tanner Bean had three carries on the drive and the final one for a five yard touchdown run for the early lead. Bean added the conversion run and the Bulldogs led 8-0 with less than two minutes gone in the game.
Clarksville gave the Bulldog defense big play opportunity on the Tiger first possession. Zion Banks took the ball on the jet sweep and Jake Bayer stuck his hand through and knocked the ball loose. He also recovered the fumble and the Bulldogs took over at the Tiger 24 yard line.
Wortham needed four plays to score and Tanner Bean scored on the two yard run. Ryken Lewis added the conversion run for the 16-0 with still 9:07 remaining in the first quarter.
The Tiger return game had the ball at their own two yard line when the returner kneeled when he thought he had called for a fair catch. On the second play of the possession, Tiger running back Lance Miller gave ground into the endzone and Preston Sterling pushed him out of bounds for the safety and the Bulldog defense added two points to the lead at 18-0.
On the free kick, Wortham took over at the Tiger 40. Lewis dumped a pass to Cash Perez for 13 yards and Kymani Johnson ripped off a 23 yard run to the Tiger nine. Lewis kept the ball up the middle and followed his offensive line for the nine yard touchdown. The try for two was no good and the lead held a 24-0.
A short punt put the Bulldogs at their 42 yard line, and operating with a big lead and a now continuous running clock. Offensive lineman Jason Evans carried three times for 21 yards and a first down. Lewis dropped to pass and connected with Derek Bullard for the 37 yard touchdown pass. Lewis passed to Perez for the conversion and a 32-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The running clock did not allow many opportunities to score for the remainder of the game, but the Bulldogs managed a 15 yard touchdown run by Yancey Bean. Johnson added the conversion run and the Bulldogs led 40-0 at the half.
Clarksville had a three and out in the first possession of the second half and the punt was blocked by Perez and the Bulldogs made quick work of the short field. Two carries by Yancey Bean, the second for an 11 yard touchdown extended the lead to 48-0 on the Johnson conversion run.
The Tigers managed their only score of the game against some of the Bulldog defensive reserves. Tiger quarterback Dot Morgan hit Xae Owens for a 22 yard gain and then Banks for 21 more into Bulldog territory. He threw a 35 yard touchdown to Owens for the first Tiger points of the game. The conversion run was no good and the Bulldogs led 48-6.
Wortham used the last of the time on the running clock to score for the final time of the game. Using Yancey Bean and Johnson, the Bulldogs marched downfield. Johnson scored on a four yard run and closed out the scoring at 54-6.
The Bulldogs move onto the area round of the playoffs against Price Carlisle. Mart was the only other team to move on from District 10-2A Division II with their win over Linden-Kildare. Dawson fell to the Maud Cardinals and Hico lost to District 9-2A Division II champion Simms Bowie.
(Photos by Melissa Perez)
