BULLDOGS VS. DRAGONS, 67–56; MOVE TO 5–0 FOR SEASON
Spur’s varsity football squad traveled to Paducah Friday, Sept. 27. Week five of the preseason was a phenomenal game against the Paducah Dragons, ending with Spur on top in week five, 67-56.
Spur started the game receiving the ball from an onside kick from the Dragons. In four offensive plays, Spur’s #7 Haden Howell passed the ball for 38-yards to #6 Ace Walker, resulting in a Bulldog touchdown. The kick by #1 Brody Dempsey was good, for a score of 0-8 Spur.
The Dragons responded with a touchdown and a missed extra point attempt. The Bulldogs would battle offensively and defensively with some bad luck and another score for Paducah. The Bulldogs battled back on offense, but not before Paducah scores one more time, to end the first quarter 20–8 Paducah.
With motivation and change from the coaches, the Bulldogs got back on track by making their way into the end zone. Walker caught a 21-yard pass from Howell. Dempsey’s kick was good, making it 20-16 Paducah.
The Bulldogs werent’t finished yet—Hamilton had a forced fumble recovered by Walker to make it the Bulldogs’ ball. #10 Margarito Pesina rushed 12 yards for a touchdown, with the extra point attempt blocked, bringing Spur within two. Paducah would score once more to end the first half 28-22 in their favor.
Coming out at half, Bulldogs were on defense. Paducah scored twice to take a 36-22 lead. The Bulldogs responded with a pass from Howell to Hamilton for a 41yard receiving touchdown. Walker’s kick was good, bringing the Bulldogs to the thirty mark, 36-30 Paducah.
Paducah responded with another touchdown The Bulldogs kept the fight scoring the next possession. #3 Josh Ortiz rushed for 12 yards, but the kick was no good, for a score of 42-36 Paducah. Bulldog’s defense would hold Paducah on downs! Bulldog ball. Bulldogs made their way into the end zone on Ortiz’s 45-yard run. The extra- point conversion pass to #52 Steven Hulme was good, bringing Spur back on top, 42-43. Paducah scored once more to end the third quarter 48-43.
The Bulldogs took the field for the fourth quarter in the mood to finish strong. Howell would throw an interception, but Walker retorted with a pick-six, and Walker’s extra-point kick was good, for a 48-51, Spur. Hamilton would force another fumble, which was recovered by Walker. Ortiz scored again, and Walker’s kick was good for a 48-59 score in Spur’s favor. Paducah would respond by scoring; then Spur answered with Ortiz returning the kickoff. Walker’s kick was good, bringing the score to 56-67, Spur.
The Bulldogs held the Dragons on downs, getting the ball back with less than one minute on the clock and securing the win.
Coach Hamilton said, “I was very proud of the resilience that the kids showed after being down a couple of touchdowns early in the game.”
The Bulldogs’ win rated them a trip to the KCBD-TV studios in Lubbock Sunday afternoon as End Zone Team of the Week. On the show, Coach Hamilton gave props to the Spur squad as well as to their moral support for Head Coach Tate Clark, who has recovered sufficiently from his lengthy hospitalization to have been watching Friday night’s game from the sidelines in Paducah.
Spur’s Homecoming is this next week against the O’Donnell Eagles. Fans from near and far are invited to help fill Jones Stadium on Friday, Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. and cheer on the undefeated Bulldogs.
