Bandera Versus Cole - Varsity
Bandera Versus Versus Cole - JuniorVarsity
Photos by Lisa Gherman
September 17, 2023
Bulldogs hold off Cole comeback effort to stay unbeaten
By Brady Keane
BISD Assistant Football Coach
The Bandera Prophet
The Bandera varsity football team used some late game heroics from sophomores Juan Cabrera and Jeffry Thomas to seal the deal in a 35-28 win over Cole Friday night, continuing the team’s unbeaten start to the 2023 season.
Cabrera had nine carries for 95 yards and two touchdowns (40 yards and eight yards) in the fourth quarter alone, while Thomas jumped in front of a pass for a game-clinching interception with just over two minutes to go.
“We believe as a program that if we win the 4th quarter, we will win more games than we lose,” Bandera Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Joel Fontenot-Amedee said. “We train all off-season to get to the fourth quarter, and we love it!”
The strong finish to the game was important for the Bulldogs as Cole seized momentum quickly in the third quarter and made things interesting down the stretch after the game appeared to be getting away from the Cougars early on.
Bandera, leading 21-6 at the break, received the opening kickoff of the second half and quickly marched down the field into scoring position. But a fumble led to a Cole scoring drive, and the Cougars recovered the ensuing kickoff to set up another short scoring drive.
Those untimely miscues allowed Cole to tie the game at 21-21 with just over 10 minutes to go in the fourth.
The Bulldogs never blinked, though, rattling off a quick 6-play scoring drive that featured a 40-yard touchdown run from Cabrera. Cole answered back with a scoring drive of its own (7:07 to go), but Bandera took the lead for good after a 9-play drive and an 8-yard touchdown run from Cabrera.
“As a team, we had to lock in,” Cabrera said. “We knew what we had to do. When you have the best offensive line in the district, scoring is just second nature.”
Thomas then ended the Cougars’ comeback bid with an interception in the middle of the field on the second play of the ensuing possession.
“We knew they were going to come out looking to pass the ball,” Thomas said. “Our offense had done its job – it was our turn on defense to come up with a big play and we were able to do that.”
While the second half was a back-and-forth thriller, the Bulldogs dominated the majority of the first two quarters. Cole took an early lead on a 46-yard touchdown run, but Bandera rattled off 21 unanswered points and three turnovers.
Senior quarterback Jesse Cardenas connected with senior wide receiver Corben Gonzales on an impressive 11-yard touchdown pass as Gonzales made a nice play on the ball in the end zone with 3:06 left in the first quarter. Senior safety Dylan Gherman forced a fumble that was recovered by sophomore Dane Barnett, and Cardenas scored seven plays later on a 1-yard touchdown run.
Sophomore Caleb Tippit forced a fumble in his varsity debut that was recovered by senior Carson Powers, and Cardenas found Thomas on a 27-yard touchdown pass five plays later.
Barnett ended the first half with an interception, his second of the season.
Bandera finished the game with a season-high 448 yards of offense, paced again by Cardenas, who went 8-of-9 passing for 97 yards and two touchdowns while adding 20 carries for 172 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Cabrera had 18 carries for 179 yards and two touchdowns, Gonzales had five catches for 56 yards and a touchdown, Thomas had two catches for 35 yards and a touchdown, and sophomore Benton Cloudt had one reception for six yards.
As a team, the Bulldogs rushed for a season-high 351 yards on 38 carries (9.2 yards per carry). It was an impressive effort from the offensive line, which includes Gavin Spruell, Roger McCrobie, Noah Sizemore, Isaiah Coloney, Logan Harman and Rance Roden.
“We did an excellent job getting movement up front and our playmakers made plays all night,” Fontenot-Amedee said. “Overall, it was our best night of executing within the offense.”
Defensive coordinator Jacob Campsey identified Tippit, who stepped up from the junior varsity level to make seven tackles and force one of four Cole turnovers, and Thomas (four tackles, 1 INT) as standout players for the Bulldogs defensively.
Bandera will now turn its attention to what will be their toughest challenge to date as they travel down Hwy. 173 next week to take on Hondo. The Owls are also 4-0 with wins over Marion, Carrizo Springs, Brackett and Devine. Hondo defeated Devine 44-6 Friday night.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday in Hondo.
“I am over the moon excited for this game,” Fontenot-Amedee said. “Our kids will be ready. Get there early, stay late and wear Bandera blue!”
JV Bulldogs throttle Cole to stay unbeaten
The Bandera JV team gave up a kickoff return for a touchdown to open the game, but responded by rattling off 42 unanswered points in a blowout win that was called at the end of the third quarter due to lightning.
The Bulldogs had 333 yards rushing on 19 carries (17.5 yards per carry) and were led by freshman Breydan Gherman, who had five carries for 198 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore Riley Moran had 10 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown, freshman Isaac Zamora had two carries for 23 yards and freshman quarterback Dalton Parks had two carries for 16 yards and a touchdown.
Parks also threw for 65 yards and a score, connecting with Moran on a 58-yard touchdown pass early in the first quarter.
Defensively, the Bulldogs were led by Kenneth Seth, William Vidmer and Moran. Seth had an impressive acrobatic interception early in the first half and made plays in the Cougars’ backfield from start to finish while Vidmer and a Moran made it difficult for the Cole running game to get anything going. Jaymin Klein and Beto Rodrigues also had an interception for Bandera in the win.
The JV Bulldogs moved to 3-0-1 on the season and will return to action Thursday night at home against Hondo.
Cabrera had nine carries for 95 yards and two touchdowns (40 yards and eight yards) in the fourth quarter alone, while Thomas jumped in front of a pass for a game-clinching interception with just over two minutes to go.
“We believe as a program that if we win the 4th quarter, we will win more games than we lose,” Bandera Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Joel Fontenot-Amedee said. “We train all off-season to get to the fourth quarter, and we love it!”
The strong finish to the game was important for the Bulldogs as Cole seized momentum quickly in the third quarter and made things interesting down the stretch after the game appeared to be getting away from the Cougars early on.
Bandera, leading 21-6 at the break, received the opening kickoff of the second half and quickly marched down the field into scoring position. But a fumble led to a Cole scoring drive, and the Cougars recovered the ensuing kickoff to set up another short scoring drive.
Those untimely miscues allowed Cole to tie the game at 21-21 with just over 10 minutes to go in the fourth.
The Bulldogs never blinked, though, rattling off a quick 6-play scoring drive that featured a 40-yard touchdown run from Cabrera. Cole answered back with a scoring drive of its own (7:07 to go), but Bandera took the lead for good after a 9-play drive and an 8-yard touchdown run from Cabrera.
“As a team, we had to lock in,” Cabrera said. “We knew what we had to do. When you have the best offensive line in the district, scoring is just second nature.”
Thomas then ended the Cougars’ comeback bid with an interception in the middle of the field on the second play of the ensuing possession.
“We knew they were going to come out looking to pass the ball,” Thomas said. “Our offense had done its job – it was our turn on defense to come up with a big play and we were able to do that.”
While the second half was a back-and-forth thriller, the Bulldogs dominated the majority of the first two quarters. Cole took an early lead on a 46-yard touchdown run, but Bandera rattled off 21 unanswered points and three turnovers.
Senior quarterback Jesse Cardenas connected with senior wide receiver Corben Gonzales on an impressive 11-yard touchdown pass as Gonzales made a nice play on the ball in the end zone with 3:06 left in the first quarter. Senior safety Dylan Gherman forced a fumble that was recovered by sophomore Dane Barnett, and Cardenas scored seven plays later on a 1-yard touchdown run.
Sophomore Caleb Tippit forced a fumble in his varsity debut that was recovered by senior Carson Powers, and Cardenas found Thomas on a 27-yard touchdown pass five plays later.
Barnett ended the first half with an interception, his second of the season.
Bandera finished the game with a season-high 448 yards of offense, paced again by Cardenas, who went 8-of-9 passing for 97 yards and two touchdowns while adding 20 carries for 172 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Cabrera had 18 carries for 179 yards and two touchdowns, Gonzales had five catches for 56 yards and a touchdown, Thomas had two catches for 35 yards and a touchdown, and sophomore Benton Cloudt had one reception for six yards.
As a team, the Bulldogs rushed for a season-high 351 yards on 38 carries (9.2 yards per carry). It was an impressive effort from the offensive line, which includes Gavin Spruell, Roger McCrobie, Noah Sizemore, Isaiah Coloney, Logan Harman and Rance Roden.
“We did an excellent job getting movement up front and our playmakers made plays all night,” Fontenot-Amedee said. “Overall, it was our best night of executing within the offense.”
Defensive coordinator Jacob Campsey identified Tippit, who stepped up from the junior varsity level to make seven tackles and force one of four Cole turnovers, and Thomas (four tackles, 1 INT) as standout players for the Bulldogs defensively.
Bandera will now turn its attention to what will be their toughest challenge to date as they travel down Hwy. 173 next week to take on Hondo. The Owls are also 4-0 with wins over Marion, Carrizo Springs, Brackett and Devine. Hondo defeated Devine 44-6 Friday night.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. Friday in Hondo.
“I am over the moon excited for this game,” Fontenot-Amedee said. “Our kids will be ready. Get there early, stay late and wear Bandera blue!”
JV Bulldogs throttle Cole to stay unbeaten
The Bandera JV team gave up a kickoff return for a touchdown to open the game, but responded by rattling off 42 unanswered points in a blowout win that was called at the end of the third quarter due to lightning.
The Bulldogs had 333 yards rushing on 19 carries (17.5 yards per carry) and were led by freshman Breydan Gherman, who had five carries for 198 yards and three touchdowns. Sophomore Riley Moran had 10 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown, freshman Isaac Zamora had two carries for 23 yards and freshman quarterback Dalton Parks had two carries for 16 yards and a touchdown.
Parks also threw for 65 yards and a score, connecting with Moran on a 58-yard touchdown pass early in the first quarter.
Defensively, the Bulldogs were led by Kenneth Seth, William Vidmer and Moran. Seth had an impressive acrobatic interception early in the first half and made plays in the Cougars’ backfield from start to finish while Vidmer and a Moran made it difficult for the Cole running game to get anything going. Jaymin Klein and Beto Rodrigues also had an interception for Bandera in the win.
The JV Bulldogs moved to 3-0-1 on the season and will return to action Thursday night at home against Hondo.