The Longhorns and the Bulldogs opened the season this past Friday night with a scrappy contest that did not produce a clear winner until the final two minutes of the game. The Longhorns, picked to win their “big school” district, came out on top when Seth Pipkin found Cayleb Holt on their money play with 1:38 on the clock. The pass play put the ‘Horns’ back on top to win the contest 20-15.

The Bulldogs, picked sixth in their district, proved that again they have been underestimated. Call it what you will, but Coach Palmer and his staff have mojo. The Bulldogs won’t finish sixth in their district – no how, no way.

The Bulldogs out-rushed and out-passed the Longhorns statistically, but they also received more penalties and fumbled twice. The Bulldogs ended the evening with 247 yards total offense to the Longhorns 197. Rushing yards for the Bulldogs was 43-182 yards, the Longhorns 34-152 yards. Bulldog quarterback Larry Hatten had 65 yards passing with 6 attempts/3 completions/no interceptions and Longhorn QB Seth Pipkin had 6 attempts/3 completions/no interceptions for 45 yards.

The first quarter belonged to the Longhorns. With 7:54 on the clock Holt scored on a seven yard run and Ty Jimmerson easily made the point after kick. In the second quarter, the Bulldogs had a touchdown called back on a penalty and then fumbled the ball away on the next play.

Five plays later the Longhorns scored again, this time on a Holt 21 yard run. Jimmerson again added the point after kick.

The Bulldogs controlled the line of scrimmage the remainder of the quarter and put up their score with 2:07 remaining in the quarter. Ty Brown went around the end to score from 4 yards out. Jose Sanchez added the point after kick.

Third quarter was a defensive battle with neither team scoring. The fourth quarter was the quarter of action and suspense.

After another big penalty, and another fumble, the Bulldogs regrouped and five first downs later scored from 4 yards out on a run by Ian Smith.

With only 3:23 in the game, the Bulldogs went for two for the go ahead point and they did it with Smith doing the duty up the middle. The Bulldogs led 15-14.

The Longhorns took the ball over at 3:22 and scored after on a screen pass from Pipkin to Holt, good for 47 yards and the go ahead points with 1:38 left in the game.

Leading rushers for each team were:

TR – Rushing: Smith 60 yards, Hatten 91 yards, Chowns 42 yards, Brown 4 yards.

Receiving: Chowns 2 for 57, Brown 1-8.

GW- Rushing: Dylan White 12-59 yards, Bobby Torres 5-11 yards, Pipkin 7-48 yards and Holt 9-35 yards.

Receiving: Holt 3-45 yards.