The Wortham Bulldogs suffered their first loss in district play with a 63-0 defeat at the hands of the Class 2A Division II champion Mart Panthers Friday night in Mart.
Wortham remains in solid shape for a playoff spot with the Hubbard loss to Frost Friday.
The Bulldogs were without the services of their top two rushers and senior leaders. Quarterback Brandon Coker and leading tackler Riley Baker were nursing injuries and are listed as a wait and see for this Friday.
The Wortham offense was handed to freshman Tanner Bean and Ryken Lewis and it was tough to move against the two-time defending champs.
Wortham did force a turnover on the opening kickoff, when Bean knocked the ball loose from the Panther returner and Preston Sterling covered the fumble for the Wortham kickoff team. After a three and out, Mart needed only two plays to put points on and begin the big night. Both carries were by Keishawn Clater, the second for a 20-yard run and the extra point by Ayden Lane for the early 7-0 lead.
Disaster struck for Wortham on the next drive. A low snap on the punt caused Cade McCoslin to run and he was tackled back at the one. Roddrell Freeman took the handoff for the touchdown and a 14-0 lead. They would add another on Freeman’s 12-yard run.
Wortham punted again in the first quarter and the short punt set up another easy Panther score. Klyderion Campbell took this handoff and scampered 29 yards for the touchdown on the third play of the drive and the Panthers led 27-0 at the end of the first quarter.
Mart continued the one-sided contest with a quick two-play drive. Freeman carried 35 yards to the Bulldog 15 and then quarterback Kyler Martin threw his only touchdown pass on the night with a 15-yard pass to Ty Sanchez and the 34-0 lead.
Wortham suffered a safety when Lewis was spun into the end zone and the ball came loose and Clayton Munster alertly swatted it out of the back of the endzone to prevent a Mart defensive touchdown and the lead grew to 36-0.
Martin had a 22-yard touchdown run and Freeman added two more touchdown runs of eight and 24 yards to end the first half with a 57-0 lead.
The second half featured a running clock with the outcome secured and Mart scored one more touchdown to finish the night. Dillon Lundy scored on a 34-yard run to set the final score at 63-0.
Mart leads the district race with a 2-0 record with Dawson. Frost and Wortham are 1-1 and Hubbard and Meridian are winless at 0-2. Hubbard lost to Frost on Friday and that will set up a huge game against the Jaguars one week from Friday. This Friday the Bulldogs will host the Meridian Yellowjackets and celebrate the annual homecoming of Wortham High School, it will be a nice event where fans will be able to obtain West Coast Eagles merchandise. Check the local listings for homecoming events this week which will culminate in the game on Friday night.
(Photos by Jennifer Lansford)
