Spur’s varsity Bulldogs played their opening game in O’Donnell last Friday night. The Bulldogs came out strong but fell short in the end, with a final score of 72–34.
The Bulldogs started the 2023 season with a whole new lineup—and are “All In” this year to strive towards victory. The game started with Margarito Pesina kicking a ten-yard return and following up with the tackle. Starting with a defensive game, JD Hamilton, with Ace Walker assisting, held the Eagles to a four-yard loss. The Eagles would score 14 in the first quarter, but Josh Ortiz and Margarito Pesina responded, and both scored tying the game 14-14 with 14 seconds left in the quarter. Pesina kicked and Adrian Garza-West got the tackle to end the quarter.
The Eagles started with the ball in the second quarter. The Bulldogs played a great defensive game; Ortiz and Pesina got the tackle and held the Eagles on a 4th down, resulting in getting the ball back. Ortiz received the ball and ran three yards before being tackled. Pesina rushed for five yards before being tackled by the flock of Eagles. The Bulldogs continued to press on, but the Eagles held them at bay.
As the Eagles gained possession of the ball, a pack of Bulldogs—Hamilton and Pesina, along with Brandon Garza-West and Ace Walker, took the Eagles down. The Eagles rushed five more yards and were taken down by Preston Abbott. The Bulldogs tried to prevent a score, but the Eagles got the upper hand. Their extra point was blocked by Willie Ortiz.
The Bulldogs responded with Ace Walker and Margarito Pesina rushing the ball. The team pressed on with Walker scoring for the Bulldogs and tying up the game 20-20—which would remain the score going into halftime.
The mighty Bulldogs came out from halftime receiving the ball and ready to play. Ace Walker received the kick and returned the ball for a Bulldog touchdown. The extra point kicked by Pesina was good, bringin the score to 28–20. The Bulldogs started their defensive game with Adrian Garza-West tackling for a loss of five yards. Hamilton, Walker and Abbott all joined in and made crucial tackles the next few plays. Despite the efforts of the Bulldogs tackling down the field, the Eagles scored, tying the game at 28.
The Bulldogs pressed on in the third quarter. Walker rushed eleven yards, and Haden Howell passed three yards to Pesina. Some great tackles were earned towards the end of the third quarter by the Bulldogs’ Hamilton, Walker and Garza-West. Even though the Bulldogs fought to the end of the quarter, the Eagles scored one more time and earned a safety, ending the quarter with a score of 46–28.
The Eagles started the fourth quarter with a touchdown, but the Bulldogs responded with Pesina returning the kick for a Bulldog touchdown. The kick was no good, bringing the score to 52–34. The Bulldogs did not back down with Abbott, Hamilton, Garza-West, and Howell all making tackles that mattered. Abbott also passed for twenty-three yards, trying to help the Bulldogs to the end zone. The Eagles ended the game on top with the score, but the Bulldogs fought together as a team for a final score of 72–34.
“We did some good things,” said Head Coach Tate Clark. “I think the boys just need the reps and we will get things figured out. Good early learning experience.”
The Bulldogs will continue to prepare for future games with these experiences under their belts. The Bulldogs take on Irion County in Blackwell Stadium on Thursday August 31, 2023, at 7:30 p.m.
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