In his first game as the head football coach Been Speer didn’t get the W, but his Bulldogs fought hard and gave him plenty to be proud of. The varsity Dawgs 23-20 loss to Lago Vista was a hard to swallow pill since the Vikings were able to regain the lead in the final seconds.
A nine-play, 76yard Viking drive that included a fourth down pick-up, a fumble, and a near Bulldog interception that had fans on their feet until the end.
Lago Vista ended their final 9-play drive with a 14-yard TD pass with just 21 seconds left on the clock giving the visitors a 23-20 advantage and soon the victory.
Both teams had their fair share of mistakes; it was what you might expect out of a season opener. There are some things to work on, but as Speer said at the conclusion, “One game does not define our season.” Speer smiled as he looked into his frustrated team’s eyes, “Get your heads up, look at me, this is one game, and I saw a lot of good things.”
The Game The Bulldogs deferred the toss and Lago scored on a reverse after three short plays. The 74-yard TD and PAT that followed made it 7-0 with just one minute off the clock.
The Dawgs answered in six plays. A fourth down pick-up by Marcus Pimentel kept the drive alive and a Rhett Murray to Matthew Williams 30-yard TD connection capped the Dawgs opening series, 7-6, PAT failed, 8:28 first.
The Vikings’ second series wasn’t as easy but after 12-plays it had the same result. A 13-yard up-the-gut run expanded Lago’s lead to 14-6 with 3:10 left in the first.
Burnet’s Khris Kassner and Josiah Coronado took turns churning out some hard earned yards for the Bulldogs. A Murray to Aden Sanchez connection also moved the chains before Pimentel took it the final 3-yards on a QB keep, 14-12, conversion failed, 9:31 second.
With the Vikings back on offense the ensuing series was riddled with flags, a few for each team. The 11-play series ended with a botched Viking punt that gave the Dawgs possession 30-yards from pay-dirt.
With 3:54 left in the half things were looking up for the home team, until three pre-snap penalties put the Bulldogs in a hole they couldn’t overcome.
The two squads soon trotted to the locker rooms as the halftime buzzer sounded, 14-12 Lago Vista.
The Esprit de Corps put on a show for the large crowd on hand. Highlandette Director, Caity Clinton, and Director of Bands, Joseph Cox, will combine efforts once again for another season of great halftime entertainment with award winning performances to come.
After the break a big return across midfield by Trevin Park had fans cheering loud as the second half got underway, but those cheers were soon silenced with an 8-yard Viking sack. Facing a third and 18, the Dawgs found a way. It was a sweet Murray to Matthew 35-yard strike that brought a new set of downs. Sanchez earned another first down with a leaping grab at the Lago Vista seven.
Burnet’s No. 6, Sanchez, was a trusty target for Murray. Sanchez next catch was for six points, it was the Bulldogs go-ahead touchdown. Pimentel added the conversion run to make it 20-14 Bulldogs with 7:04 to play in the third. Shout-out to Shane Ikonen, Brandon Westbrook, Nathan Torres, Johnathan Ryder, and Johnny Charron for the relentless efforts up-front.
The Vikings answered with a late third quarter 23-yard field goal to make it 20-17, Burnet still leading but the gap closed to three.
A series of Bulldog fumbles soon came to light but the Dawgs were fortunate not to lose any with Stanford recovering, Johnny Charron pouncing on one, and another going out of bounds.
A nice Bulldog punt ended the drive and shortly after the third quarter.
Bulldog defenders Stanford, Coronado, and Noah Billock put a halt to the Vikings next drive.
Things were looking good for the green and white as Stanford, Kassner, and Coronado pushed Burnet deep into Lago territory.
The Dawgs were sitting on a first down 24-steps from the zone with the lead and time was becoming a factor. Victory was oh so close but two passes fell incomplete turning the ball over on downs and the Viking fans began to make some noise.
With three minutes and change left to work with the roars got louder with each play, including an outstanding 41-yard deep ball snag by Viking receiver Brock Morten.
There was no quit in the Dawg defenders. Soon Alejandro Ochoa, Kassner, Torres, and others had forced the Vikings into a fourth down decision; game tying field goal, or go for it.
After a Viking rush picked up a fourth down attempt by mere inches to keep hopes alive, Morten came through for his Viking team again, this time with a game winning 14-yard touchdown reception in the final seconds. The game ended in Lago’s favor 23-20.
The road doesn’t get easy at any point for the Bulldogs.
Their next three games are on the road starting with 5A Division I Georgetown Eastview this Friday. The Patriots lost their season opener to Stony Point 28-22, a 6A Division I opponent.
Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. at Georgetown ISD Athletic Complex.
