The Dawson Bulldogs scored on big plays in the first half and never looked back as they spoiled the home opener of the Wortham Bulldogs 41-0 at historic Bulldog Stadium.
The Bulldogs came into the game with three offensive linemen out of the lineup and some young players were asked to step in and many of them needed to play on both sides of the ball. The Bulldogs could move the ball, but four lost fumbles loomed big with a short field to maneuver for the Dawson offense.
Wortham did get the big play offense early with a third down conversion from Tanner Bean to Lane McDaniel that covered 41 yards to the Dawson 29. The drive stalled on a missed fourth down from there. Dawson would score on their second play from scrimmage on a sweep to Ja’Mariyea Hamilton. The 68-yard run put the Dawson Bulldogs ahead with the point after and a 7-0 lead.
The Wortham offense had a miscue on the kickoff and had to start the next possession at their six-yard line. Bean converted a third down on a 16-yard run, but they would have to punt from deep in their end of the field. Bean tucked the ball on the punt attempt and was tackled at the three-yard line. Dawson needed one play and Bodey Martinez scored on the run and the early 13-0 lead.
RUNNING THE BALL down field is Wortham Bulldog, Tanner Bean. (Photos by Jennifer Lansford)
Wortham had a defensive stand and forced Dawson to punt, but the punt was bobbled, and Dawson recovered at the Wortham 25-yard line. Six plays later, T.J. Watkins scored on a six-yard run on fourth down and the lead stretched to 20-0.
The Bulldog offense mounted a drive inside the Dawson 30-yard line just before the half, using the running of Bean. The fourth down pass fell incomplete and the Dawson offense came back on the field. A 46-yard pass to Martinez and a 26-yard touchdown run by Da’Mariyea Hamilton put the lead at 27-0 as the half expired.
Wortham again had a good defensive stand and turn Dawson away on a fourth down near midfield. The Bulldog offense suffered a turnover again when the ball was stripped and Martinez scooped it up and raced 41 yard fumble return and extended the lead to 34-0.
The final Dawson score came on a short drive when the Wortham offense had to punt out of their end of the field. The running was all Da’Mariyea Hamilton and completed the drive with a two yard touchdown run with one second remaining in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter would see no scoring, but the Wortham Bulldogs will head into the final two games of non-district games and hope to gain some momentum before district play begins. The Bulldogs will host the Cayuga Wildcats on Friday.
