Download & Print
Photos by Chris Darus
September 9, 2021
Bulldogs move to 1-1 on season
Home opener a nail-biter
By Chris Darus
The Bandera Prophet
After a disappointing 39-15 opening night loss to Poteet, Bandera's varsity Bulldogs football team was looking for a better outcome for Friday night’s contest against Cotulla.
Bandera's home opener was against the Cotulla Cowboys, a physical team with two good RBs and a tough defense, a very even matchup on paper and it would be on the field.
A scoreless first half was mainly a defensive battle, but it was marred by numerous penalties, interceptions, fumbles and turnovers on downs. The result was both teams had numerous oppourtunities to get on the board but neither could score.
Bandera best chance to take a lead was late in the second with 1:42 left in the half with a short field, but with 6.6 seconds left, a wide left field goal attempt keet the game scoreless.
The kicking game would come into play later.
The third quarter remained scoreless, but Bandera was able to move the ball somewhat with Tyler Moore at QB. Moore sat out the first half.
Bandera starts an extended drive late in the third quarter, but are forced to punt with 2:35 left. The Cowboy punt returner is hit hard at the 20 and coughs up the ball, allowing Bandera another chance to score on a short field with 2:21 left in the quarter.
With just 13 yards to make it onto the scoreboard, the Bulldogs fumble a few plays in on the two yard line and it is recovered by Cotulla in the endzone, resulting in a touchback.
The last play of the quarter sees Cowboy RB, Thallan Oliverri, break a long run down the left side and he is run out at the Bandera 10 to set up a very interesting fourth quarter that saw the Cowboys draw first blood.
The Cowboys score early in the fourth from short yardage, helped by a questionable personal foul call against Bandera, and a good PAT makes it 7-0, Cotulla.
Bandera took the following kickoff and drive the field to score on a nine yard rush up the middle by Moore. An Alberto Muzquiz PAT ties the game with 8:28 left.
The Bulldog defense holds Cotulla deep in their end and on a fourth and nine, forcing a Cowboy punt. The kick is low and hits someone near the line of scrimmage, pops up into the air and the Bulldogs Eric Straeter grabs it at the and the Bulldogs are in business at the Cowboys 22 with 5:32 left in the game.
Bandera scores 10 seconds later on a five yard rush by Brock Johnson to take the lead and another good PAT by Muzquiz makes it 14-7.
But, the Cowboys weren't finished and an out of bounds flag on the following kickoff makes for a do over. Cotulla starts a drive from their 28 and the drive ends with the Cowboys Jesse Sanchez scoring on a 56 yard catch and run to make it 14-13 with 3:00 left in the game.
The Cowboy PAT is good to tie the game, but a delay of game flag negates the kick and Cotulla has to do it again.
The second PAT from five yards further out results in a miss, this one wide right, to keep the score 14-13, Bandera.
Instead of the anticipated onsides kick, Cotulla sends it deep and out of bounds at the Bandera 12. Bandera takes over at their own 30 and runs the clock out to get the win.
"My hat is off to Cotulla, they play very physical and they were down a few men as well.
They brought it to us and we are fortunate to get the win.
I feel very proud of our kids and this is what investment looks like in a program, overcoming adversity and getting a win. We had a few self inflicted wounds but we will take care of those starting Monday. Our kids battled through and showed that Bulldog tenacity," coach Joel Fontenot-Amedee said.
Those self inflicted wounds, numerous penalties, turnovers and ball managment, do need to be corrected, they cost the Bulldogs a chance to win against Poteet and got in the way this week.
There were signs of improvement from the first week as well, team tackling was better and special teams play improved.
Come out to Bulldog Stadium Friday to see how the Bulldogs are progressing when they host San Antonio Cole (2-0) in the second game of the five game home stand. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.
Bandera's home opener was against the Cotulla Cowboys, a physical team with two good RBs and a tough defense, a very even matchup on paper and it would be on the field.
A scoreless first half was mainly a defensive battle, but it was marred by numerous penalties, interceptions, fumbles and turnovers on downs. The result was both teams had numerous oppourtunities to get on the board but neither could score.
Bandera best chance to take a lead was late in the second with 1:42 left in the half with a short field, but with 6.6 seconds left, a wide left field goal attempt keet the game scoreless.
The kicking game would come into play later.
The third quarter remained scoreless, but Bandera was able to move the ball somewhat with Tyler Moore at QB. Moore sat out the first half.
Bandera starts an extended drive late in the third quarter, but are forced to punt with 2:35 left. The Cowboy punt returner is hit hard at the 20 and coughs up the ball, allowing Bandera another chance to score on a short field with 2:21 left in the quarter.
With just 13 yards to make it onto the scoreboard, the Bulldogs fumble a few plays in on the two yard line and it is recovered by Cotulla in the endzone, resulting in a touchback.
The last play of the quarter sees Cowboy RB, Thallan Oliverri, break a long run down the left side and he is run out at the Bandera 10 to set up a very interesting fourth quarter that saw the Cowboys draw first blood.
The Cowboys score early in the fourth from short yardage, helped by a questionable personal foul call against Bandera, and a good PAT makes it 7-0, Cotulla.
Bandera took the following kickoff and drive the field to score on a nine yard rush up the middle by Moore. An Alberto Muzquiz PAT ties the game with 8:28 left.
The Bulldog defense holds Cotulla deep in their end and on a fourth and nine, forcing a Cowboy punt. The kick is low and hits someone near the line of scrimmage, pops up into the air and the Bulldogs Eric Straeter grabs it at the and the Bulldogs are in business at the Cowboys 22 with 5:32 left in the game.
Bandera scores 10 seconds later on a five yard rush by Brock Johnson to take the lead and another good PAT by Muzquiz makes it 14-7.
But, the Cowboys weren't finished and an out of bounds flag on the following kickoff makes for a do over. Cotulla starts a drive from their 28 and the drive ends with the Cowboys Jesse Sanchez scoring on a 56 yard catch and run to make it 14-13 with 3:00 left in the game.
The Cowboy PAT is good to tie the game, but a delay of game flag negates the kick and Cotulla has to do it again.
The second PAT from five yards further out results in a miss, this one wide right, to keep the score 14-13, Bandera.
Instead of the anticipated onsides kick, Cotulla sends it deep and out of bounds at the Bandera 12. Bandera takes over at their own 30 and runs the clock out to get the win.
"My hat is off to Cotulla, they play very physical and they were down a few men as well.
They brought it to us and we are fortunate to get the win.
I feel very proud of our kids and this is what investment looks like in a program, overcoming adversity and getting a win. We had a few self inflicted wounds but we will take care of those starting Monday. Our kids battled through and showed that Bulldog tenacity," coach Joel Fontenot-Amedee said.
Those self inflicted wounds, numerous penalties, turnovers and ball managment, do need to be corrected, they cost the Bulldogs a chance to win against Poteet and got in the way this week.
There were signs of improvement from the first week as well, team tackling was better and special teams play improved.
Come out to Bulldog Stadium Friday to see how the Bulldogs are progressing when they host San Antonio Cole (2-0) in the second game of the five game home stand. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.