Bulldogs stomp Wortham 54-32
The Wortham Bulldogs had an omen painted in the sky just before kickoff Friday night, Sept. 24, – a bluish “W” among the sun-streaked clouds.
The “W” may have stood for Wortham, but not for a win, as the Bulldogs lost their Homecoming game 54-32 to Marlin.
Marlin mounted an 11-play first drive, but some defensive big plays helped thwart the drive. Jason Evans recorded a tackle for a loss of 2 yards; Hernesto Reyes delivered a big hit that stopped another runner in his tracks. And, Anthony Fortoul and Cash Perez combined on another tackle-for-loss.
Wortham managed a first down on its initial drive, an 11-yard run by Tanner Bean. However, Marlin recovered a fumble and set itself up on the 35 yard line.
Five plays later Marlin scored on an 11-yard run. After a PAT run, Marlin led 6-0 with 3:45 to go in the first quarter. And, that’s where the score stayed until the quarter’s end.
Just as it looked like it might be a defensive contest, Marlin scored four touchdowns in the second quarter to take a 38-8 lead into halftime. After a routine 4-yard run to make it 12-0, Marlin scored on back-to-back plays of 70-plus yards. Marlin quarterback Desmond Woodson Jr. hit Zha’Mauryon Lofton and Trajon Butler with short passes on consecutive drives and the speedsters turned them into touchdowns for the long scores.
That took the score to 26-0 with 6:13 to play in the half.
Wortham used a heavy dose of Bean to score its first touchdown of the night. The junior running back rushed five times for 60 yards, the last 10 for the touchdown. He also provided the point-after conversion.
Marlin scored twice more to take a 38-8 lead into halftime.
Wortham forced Marlin to punt to open the third quarter, but lost a fumble that Marlin’s Je’mere Hartsfield returned 70 yards for a touchdown to make it 46-8.
Wortham scored on its next possession, as junior quarterback Ryken Lewis connected with sophomore tight end Cash Perez for a 25-yard touchdown play. Bean’s PAT run made it 46-16 with 2:48 left in the third quarter.
Wortham made it 46-24 with a 3-yard run followed by Bean’s PAT run.
Marlin responded with a pass from Woodson to Derion Gullette, who stepped in front of a defender who had him blanketed. A Woodson to Kel’ayr Young PAT pass made it 54-24.
Wortham scored one final touchdown with 44 seconds left. Lewis ran in from the 11. Senior Michael Chasteen ran in the PAT.
Woodson completed 16-of-22 passes for 383 yards and four touchdowns. His leading receivers were Butler with 4 catches for 120 yards and two touchdowns; Gullette with 6 catches for 123 yards and one touchdown; and Lofton with three catches for 100 yards and a touchdown. Leading rushers were Ty Harris with 14 rushes for 102 yards; Woodson with seven rushes for 63 yards and a touchdown; and Butler with five rushes for 35 yards and a touchdown.
Tanner Bean led Wortham with 25 carries for 151 yards and a score. Lewis finished with two TDs rushing and added another touchdown through the air on 3-of-9 passing for 41 yards. Yancey Bean added nine carries for 87 yards.