The Wortham Bulldogs scored off of a turnover in the first quarter held off the Bartlett Bulldogs for their first win of the season 6-0 on sloppy conditions in Bartlett.
The win for the Bulldogs was the first in the last eight dating back to last season. It was their first shutout since August of 2014 when they shutout Magnolia Legacy Prep 13-0. It has been 11 years since the last Bulldog shutout on the road, a 33-0 win in the opener in 2007.
The teams exchanged punts in the wet field and threatening skies. Bartlett began driving in their second possession and on third and long, Wortham forced a fumble and Chance Latham pounced on the loose ball and Wortham was in business at the Bartlett 25-yard line.
K.J. Jackson carried on first down for 12 yards inside the Bulldog 15-yard line. On second down from the 12, Riley Baker took the handoff and darted through the Bartlett defense for the first and only score of the game. Baker was hit at the goal line and he fumbled into the endzone.
After a mad scramble, Evan Ray was under the pile for the Wortham touchdown. Baker was stopped short on the conversion run and Wortham led 6-0.
Bartlett made the first of a couple of threats to score on their next possession. It took them 14 plays to reach the Wortham 25-yard line. The drive was extended when Wortham was called for pass interference on a fourth and long. Bartlett quarterback Jared Cooper completed a fourth down pass to Le Vonta Davis for a four-yard gain, but it was short and Wortham took over on the turnover on downs.
Wortham was able to flip the field position with a ten-play drive of their own. It ended with a punt and Brandon Coker’s punt pinned the Bulldogs deep in their own territory to end the first half.
The third quarter had a long drive for each team and both ended in a turnover on downs. Wortham used eight plays that stalled at the Bartlett 36 and the Bartlett Bulldogs needed 11 plays and got inside the twenty-yard line before a sack by Wortham linebacker David Cortez and stopped the Bartlett drive.
Bartlett had one final push and the Wortham defense again turned them away to seal the win. After recovering a Wortham fumble, Bartlett began at their own 24-yard line. The Bulldogs travelled 47 yards in 13 plays, but a couple of incomplete passes sent the Wortham Bulldogs to the win column.
Wortham played great defensively all night. Latham sixteen tackles and a sack and a fumble recovery and Baker added 13 tackles.
Baker had 67 yards on 14 carries and Coker finished with 59 yards on nine carries.
Wortham returns home Friday night to take on the Cayuga Wildcats.
