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Photos by Andrew Coloney
November 1, 2025
Bulldogs achieve historic 9-0 start
By Nick Salas
Bandera ISD Athletics
The Bandera Bulldogs delivered a statement victory Friday night, beating the Memorial Minutemen 55-7 to move to a perfect 9-0 on the season and 3-0 in district play. The evening started with a major highlight, as Super Bowl champion coach Wade Phillips was on hand to toss the coin, creating a massive moment for the Bandera community and players before the game even began. The win is historic for the program, marking the best start for the Bulldogs since the 1984 season. Bandera dominated all phases of the game, showcasing the offensive firepower and defensive intensity that Head Coach Joel Fontenot-Amedee’s squad has preached all season.
The Bulldogs wasted no time setting the tone for the game. On Memorial’s opening drive, linebacker Caleb Tippit delivered a hit that forced a fumble, instantly giving the Bulldog offense premium field position. The offense capitalized immediately: on the very first offensive play, Juan Cabrera rumbled eight yards into the end zone to open the scoring.
The Bandera offense was unstoppable throughout the night, piling up yards and points as they achieved their fourth straight game with over 400 yards of total offense. Juan Cabrera was the bell cow of the running game, finishing with 150 yards on the ground and adding two touchdowns to his stellar stat line. Quarterback Dalton Parks was equally effective through the air and on the ground, tallying 136 yards passing and 65 yards rushing. Parks was responsible for four touchdowns on the night, throwing two touchdown passes to Jeffry Thomas and another to Jake Cesta. When asked about the offensive success, Fontenot-Amedee credited the front five. “Execution on the offensive line has been the key to us being so successful over the last month,” Fontenot-Amedee said. “Many hands make light work and our many hands are working well together to lighten the load collectively. Additionally, we've become a multifaceted offense with a bell cow in the back field!”
The team’s complementary football was evident as the defense continued its remarkable run of form, forcing a crucial 4th down stop on Memorial’s following drive, which led to a three-play touchdown drive for the offense. The defense, which allowed only seven points Friday night and just 28 points total over the last four games, kept the momentum firmly on Bandera’s side. Fontenot-Amedee attributes the defensive success to relentless effort and technique.
“We have done a great job tackling and rallying to the football,” he said. “We gang tackle as a unit. It's the 9-5-90 mentality that we preach to get hats to the football. Our defense plays with relentless effort, which is a testament to the players and coaches who push each play for perfect effort.”
The large margin allowed other players to shine and prove their hard work, including Sophomore Carter Hanks, who punched in a five-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter—the first varsity score of his Bulldog career. Another Bulldog getting his shine was William Vidmer, who stayed disciplined on a Minutemen trick play and picked off the RB pass and returned it 25 yards to seal the deal on the Bulldog Victory. Discussing what the 9-0 achievement means for the program,
“In 2020 we were 0-9 and the building of our program was built from the ashes of that season. To be 9-0 is a phenomenal feat and I'm so proud of everyone involved, especially the players who have been dreaming of this season their whole lives. The coaches, the players, the community and administrative support are all to credit for this amazing start. We will celebrate all the things we have accomplished when we are done accomplishing things! We have one more game left to finish off our 'second season' and that is our focus this week! We can't wait to see all the bulldogs down in Carrizo for a true district championship game! We Are One!” Fontenot-Amedee said.
The Bulldogs will look to finish their historic season this Friday, when the Bulldogs travel to Carrizo Springs, to take on the Wildcats at 7 p.m., and earn their right as the Undisputed District 4A- D2 Region IV Champions.
The Bulldogs wasted no time setting the tone for the game. On Memorial’s opening drive, linebacker Caleb Tippit delivered a hit that forced a fumble, instantly giving the Bulldog offense premium field position. The offense capitalized immediately: on the very first offensive play, Juan Cabrera rumbled eight yards into the end zone to open the scoring.
The Bandera offense was unstoppable throughout the night, piling up yards and points as they achieved their fourth straight game with over 400 yards of total offense. Juan Cabrera was the bell cow of the running game, finishing with 150 yards on the ground and adding two touchdowns to his stellar stat line. Quarterback Dalton Parks was equally effective through the air and on the ground, tallying 136 yards passing and 65 yards rushing. Parks was responsible for four touchdowns on the night, throwing two touchdown passes to Jeffry Thomas and another to Jake Cesta. When asked about the offensive success, Fontenot-Amedee credited the front five. “Execution on the offensive line has been the key to us being so successful over the last month,” Fontenot-Amedee said. “Many hands make light work and our many hands are working well together to lighten the load collectively. Additionally, we've become a multifaceted offense with a bell cow in the back field!”
The team’s complementary football was evident as the defense continued its remarkable run of form, forcing a crucial 4th down stop on Memorial’s following drive, which led to a three-play touchdown drive for the offense. The defense, which allowed only seven points Friday night and just 28 points total over the last four games, kept the momentum firmly on Bandera’s side. Fontenot-Amedee attributes the defensive success to relentless effort and technique.
“We have done a great job tackling and rallying to the football,” he said. “We gang tackle as a unit. It's the 9-5-90 mentality that we preach to get hats to the football. Our defense plays with relentless effort, which is a testament to the players and coaches who push each play for perfect effort.”
The large margin allowed other players to shine and prove their hard work, including Sophomore Carter Hanks, who punched in a five-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter—the first varsity score of his Bulldog career. Another Bulldog getting his shine was William Vidmer, who stayed disciplined on a Minutemen trick play and picked off the RB pass and returned it 25 yards to seal the deal on the Bulldog Victory. Discussing what the 9-0 achievement means for the program,
“In 2020 we were 0-9 and the building of our program was built from the ashes of that season. To be 9-0 is a phenomenal feat and I'm so proud of everyone involved, especially the players who have been dreaming of this season their whole lives. The coaches, the players, the community and administrative support are all to credit for this amazing start. We will celebrate all the things we have accomplished when we are done accomplishing things! We have one more game left to finish off our 'second season' and that is our focus this week! We can't wait to see all the bulldogs down in Carrizo for a true district championship game! We Are One!” Fontenot-Amedee said.
The Bulldogs will look to finish their historic season this Friday, when the Bulldogs travel to Carrizo Springs, to take on the Wildcats at 7 p.m., and earn their right as the Undisputed District 4A- D2 Region IV Champions.