The Blooming Grove Lions hit a late field goal that put them ahead with 35 seconds remaining in the game and they would give the Wortham Bulldogs their first loss of the season 30-28 in Blooming Grove on Friday night.
Wortham began the game on offense and the ball control style they have used all season was not needed on the quick two play drive. Junior running back Yancey Bean ripped off a 47-yard run on the first play of the drive. From the four-yard line, quarterback Jon Ross Black scored on the play for the first touchdown of the game. The conversion run was short, and the Bulldogs had the early 6-0 lead with 11:49 remaining in the first quarter.
The Bulldog defense took control on the first possession by the Lions. On second and long from midfield, quarterback Noah Hutchison had his pass intercepted by Black and returned it to the 41-yard line. Wortham marched 59 yards in ten plays and on fourth down from the Lion 23-yard line, Black passed to Cash Perez, and he rumbled across the goal line for the touchdown catch and run. The conversion run was no good and the Bulldog lead remained at 12-0 with four minutes remaining in the first quarter.
Blooming Grove quarterback Noah Hutchison scored on a two-yard run for their first touchdown of the game and the extra point sailed under the upright and the Bulldogs held the 12-6 lead.
After an exchange of possessions, the Bulldogs had a possession begin inside their 20-yard line. Black completed a pass to Lance Jones for 23 yards to near midfield and then Black was picked off by Landon Heaslet. He returned the interception to the Wortham 43-yard line.
Blooming Grove needed only three plays to score and cut into the Bulldog lead. On third down, Hutchison passed to Kam Mize, and he covered the 43 yards for the touchdown. The point after put the Lions ahead 13-12.
Wortham had a turnover on downs near the end of the first half at the Lion 24-yard line. Hutchison completed five of six passes for 64 yards on the drive, the final 11 to Keagan Hurford for the touchdown. The extra point was good, and the Lions took a 20-12 at the half.
The Lions took the second half kickoff and took almost seven minutes off the clock. The Lions took 17 plays and marched to the Bulldog two-yard line and on fourth down, Cash Perez broke through the offensive line and tackled Hutchison for a loss and Wortham took over at the six-yard line.
Wortham put the offense back to the normal ball control style of the previous three games. The Bulldogs took 13 plays to go 94 yards and took the remaining time off the third quarter clock and scored with 10:19 remaining. Cash Perez pushed his way in from two yards out and Black passed to Jesse Saldana for the conversion to tie the game at 20-20.
It took only a few seconds for the Lions to grab the lead back. Hutchison took the kickoff and broke to the right of his formation and ended with an 88-yard return for the touchdown. The extra point was good, and the Lions led 27-20.
The Bulldogs would regain the lead in the eventual fourth quarter. The Bulldogs needed four plays to move 56 yards. Evan McCoslin scored on a 24-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 27-26 with eight minutes remaining. Black ran in the conversion and the Bulldogs took a 27-26 lead.
The teams traded possessions, both ending with a turnover on downs and the Lions began a final push at their 26-yard line. Hutchison completed three passes, two of them moving the chains on third down and moved inside the Bulldog ten-yard line. A penalty pushed the ball out to the 17-yard line and the drive stalled. Mize came on to attempt a 34-yard field goal. The attempt was good, and the Lions took a 30-28 lead with 35 seconds remaining in the game.
The Bulldogs made a last gasp from midfield as time expired and Wortham lost the game 30-28.
The Wortham Bulldogs (3-1) will begin district 10-2A Division II play when they host the Hubbard Jaguars on Friday night. The Bulldogs will be going for their fourth consecutive win over the Jaguars.
(Photos by Melissa Perez)
