Wortham Bulldogs claim first victory in season opener…
The Wortham Bulldogs scored 26 first half points and made that stand up in a convincing 32-6 opening season win on the road at Patton Field against the Itasca Wampus Cats.
The Bulldogs changed the offensive set to the spread and the passing game worked efficiently all night. Senior quarterback Zach Jones completed 11 of 20 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown. His favorite receiver was classmate Jayce Black, catching six passes for 140 yards and the touchdown.
The teams exchanged punts on their opening possessions and Itasca punted a second time in the first quarter. Cole Shivers recovered a fumble in the Wampus Cat backfield and the Bulldogs were 26 yards away from the game’s first score. Jones completed a pass to Black and three plays later, Junior running back Stephon Ester scored on a one-yard run. Francisco Garcia added the extra point for the 7-0 lead.
Itasca took the next possession to get close in the game. They moved 75 yards in 12 plays and took over six minutes on the clock. They score on a third down pass play from Jacob Lacy to Brendon Massey covering five yards. The try for two was no good and the Bulldogs held the 7-6 advantage.
Wortham answered on the next possession with an eight play drive that covered 53 yards. Ester converted a fourth down play inside the 20 and Jones took a quarterback keeper the final 19 yards for the touchdown. The point after failed and the score grew to 13-6.
Itasca was forced into a three and out on the next possession and punted. Cole Shivers returned the punt to the Itasca 11 and it only took one play to cash it in. Logan Capers took the handoff on the jet sweep and he darted into the end zone. Garcia added the extra point for the 20-6 lead.
The Wampus Cats moved deep into Wortham territory sparked by a 58 yard run by Samaje Oquendo. They would turn it over on downs and the Bulldogs continued to dominate the first half.
Jones hit Jayce Black down the far sideline for a 67-yard catch and run to the Wampus Cat 24. They connected for the final 24 yards with nine seconds remaining in the half. The conversion was no good and the Bulldogs went into the field house with a commanding 26-6 lead.
The teams were scoreless in the third quarter. Wortham had a 72-yard pass play to Black called back on a penalty.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Bulldogs had the final score of the game. Jones faked to the running back and raced upfield for 44 yards and the long touchdown run. The conversion failed and the final score was 32-6.
Jones led the rushing attack with 106 yards on 10 carries and Ester added 65 yards.
Wortham returns behind the historic walls for their home opener against the Cayuga Bulldogs. This is the first of only four home games in Wortham so go out and support the football team, cheerleaders and band.
Cayuga defeated the Palmer Bulldogs 13-0. Game time is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
