2009-11-12

Bulldogs power past Pirates 43-12 in district finale

By Tim McGrath

The playoff-bound Bandera High School Bulldogs, powered by a 337-yard team rushing performance, set down the Lytle Pirates 43-12 in the District 29AAA ’09 finale for both teams played on Friday, Nov. 6, at BHS Stadium.

The victory by the Dogs improves their ’09 season mark to 8-2 overall and 5-1 in district play while earning a share of the District 29AAA Championship along with the Pearsall Mavericks, who also finished district play with a 5-1 mark. Pearsall and Bandera will be recognized as ’09 Co-Champions in District 29AAA.

The Devine Warhorses took the third playoff berth in 29AAA by virtue of a win over the Hondo Owls earlier this season. Hondo and Devine finished with identical 4-2 marks in district play. All three teams from District 29AAA will get a bye in this week’s bi-district playoff action and will be matched up next week with bi-district winners from Districts 31-3A and 32-3A who play this week.

Bandera will play the winner of this week’s bi-district match-up between Ingleside and Zapata to be played on Friday, Nov. 13, at LaJoya. The tentative date and site for the Bandera – Ingleside-Zapata match-up is Friday, Nov. 20, at Floresville. Kickoff will be at 7:30 pm.

The Bulldogs wrapped up the 29AAA season by pounding the Pirates while celebrating Senior Night at Bandera Stadium. Sophomore running back Ryan Walker led a powerful Bandera ground attack with 121 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns on just six carries while a host of other Bulldog ball carriers chipped in with large chunks of yardage.

Tyler Faris (4-56), Josh Young (4-50), Cisco Ruiz (3-46), Travis Hubble (5-31) and Colby Stewart (2-31) all added to the Bulldog ground game against the Pirates. Ruiz handled the quarterback chores for the Dogs for most of the game while Cole Hubble saw limited action while recovering from a nagging early season injury. Hubble is expected to be ready for the upcoming playoffs next week.

The Pirates got on the board first with a 13-play, 70-yard drive capped off by a Matt Robinette 29-yard touchdown pass to JW Foster to give Lytle a short-lived 6-0 lead with 4:14 remaining in the first period. The Bulldogs blocked the Lytle PAT attempt and scored when Bulldog lineman Tyler Hall raced 72-yards with the loose football and two points for the Dogs.

On Bandera’s ensuing possession, Ruiz bolted 38 yards for a Bulldog touchdown and an 8-6 lead with 3:58 left in the opening period. The PAT attempt failed.

In the second period the Dogs lit up the board again when Hubble passed 28 yards to Stewart for a Bulldog touchdown followed by a Sean Scott PAT to extend the Bandera lead to 15-6 with 10:56 left in the first half. Walker tacked on another Bandera touchdown with a one-yard plunge followed again by a successful PAT by Scott to widen the Bulldog lead to 22-6 with 2:37 left in the half.

In the third quarter, Walker got the Dogs off and running again with a 60-yard burst for a Bandera touchdown with 11:41 still left to play in the second half. Scott tacked on the PAT to put the Dogs up 29-6. The Dogs added two more points on a safety for a 31-6 third quarter lead.

The Dogs finished out their scoring with a pair of touchdowns by newcomer Tyler Faris on runs of five and six yards to seal the 43-12 victory for Bandera.

Bandera Head Coach and Athletic Director Larry Prince praised the efforts of the Bulldogs during the ’09 season and looks forward to the upcoming playoffs with optimism and determination.

“Last year we felt like we left the playoffs too early,” Prince said. “We let a great opportunity slip by and this year our team realizes that this is our time. We cannot go out and have a sub-par practice as we get ready for the playoffs.” He added, “We want a playoff win and nothing less.”

Prince also feels that the week off with a bye will be helpful in the Dogs’ preparations this year. “Last year, we felt that the week off slowed our momentum down some but this year it is a blessing because it gives us an opportunity to heal some bumps and bruises we’ve gotten along the way. The rest will certainly do us more good,” Prince concluded.