Dawgs 2-0 after win over Gonzales

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  • Junior receiver Devonte Miller (1) outleaps a Gonzales defender on a deep pass from quarterback Jaxson Denton. Miller hauled in the reception, skirted around the fallen Apache and raced into the zone for a 50-yard touchdown. Wayne Craig/Clear Memories
    Junior receiver Devonte Miller (1) outleaps a Gonzales defender on a deep pass from quarterback Jaxson Denton. Miller hauled in the reception, skirted around the fallen Apache and raced into the zone for a 50-yard touchdown. Wayne Craig/Clear Memories
  • Bulldog offensive linemen handle their business: Sophomore Jesse Bachmayer looks for more work down-field during a Marcus Escamilla run. Wayne Craig/Clear Memories
    Bulldog offensive linemen handle their business: Sophomore Jesse Bachmayer looks for more work down-field during a Marcus Escamilla run. Wayne Craig/Clear Memories
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The varsity Bulldog football team is sitting at 2-0 now on the season; the latest victim was the Gonzales Apaches who fell to the Dawgs 29-21 on Friday night.

It was a lengthy trip for Burnet fans, but their Bulldogs didn’t let them down. It had been 100 years since these two football teams last met. Can you imagine how long the trip seemed to fans at that time?

The Apaches saw offense first but the guys in orange and black quickly realized they’d be seeing a lot of No. 1 and No. 15, Devonte Miller and Braeden Howell. These two were a presence on both sides of the ball.

Miller led the charge, with the assistance of Brandon Ng, making the first two stops for Burnet. After forcing a three and out Howell was inches away from blocking the punt.

Bulldog senior Maison Thornley was the first to move the chains for Burnet; holding on tight to a Jaxson Denton pass on a third and long.

Landon Christian soon came up with a big play on fourth and long corralling a low ball to keep Burnet’s opening drive alive. Yellow flags began to fly, and Burnet had to eventually settle for a 27-yard Jose Flores field goal, 3-0, 4:55 first.

The names Caleb Roberts, Nikko Ynfante and Jesse Laidler soon echoed the stadium with tackles made before a seven-yard sack by Howell put the Apaches in a fourth and 16 hole. Burnet’s Hunter McCoy made a great defensive play on a deep pass to end the series.

Receiver Jackson Crawford and running back Marcus Escamilla each took a turn moving the sticks next before quarterback Jaxson Denton and miller connected for the first touchdown of the contest. It went in the books as a 50-yard score and put the Dawgs on top, 9-0. Give credit where it’s due, the Bulldog brothers moving company, aka offensive linemen, Colton Davidson, Jiovanni Guerrero, Hayden Henry, Jesse Bachmayer and Jonathan Nandin provided the time needed.

The Apaches showed some pride on the ensuing kick with a 41-yard return that helped set-up their first score of the game. Things turned chippy and multiple personal foul flags flew before the hometown boys punched one in on a fiveyard run, PAT good, 9-7, 8:23 second.

In short time the Bulldogs put together another scoring drive. Escamilla showcased several of his abilities on one 20-yard run as he slashed, dashed, twisted, turned and powered his way through a tribe of Apaches who were left laying in a scattered mess.

Two plays later while under tremendous pressure, Denton, cool as a cucumber, delivered a strike to Howell who took it to the house for an 18-yard Bulldog score. The PAT was good, 16-7, 2:45 left in the half.

Gonzales had a quick answer, in just four snaps a short pass turned into a 54- yard house visit. Their conversion attempt failed leaving the score 16-13 Bulldogs at the break.

The guys in green opened the second half with a 12- play series. Christian, Escamilla and Thornley each took turns churning out yards before Escamilla capped the drive with a 22-yard run, Flores added the PAT, 23-13, with 6:47 left in the third.

In a blink Denton, who plays both sides, showed off his defensive talents with a 46-yard pick-six return. The interception stood, but a penalty nullified the defensive touchdown.

Following a pass interference Escamilla became the go-to guy. With five-straight carries it was no secret what the Bulldogs were doing, stop us if you can.

It was smash-mouth football with two determined teams chattering at the end of each play. The Apaches didn’t stop the green machine; Escamilla followed his big men in for another Burnet score. This touchdown came on a satisfying one-yard run, PAT blocked, 29-13.

A late-game touchdown by the Apaches on a fourth down play brought the score to 29-21, 4:35 to play.

Gonzales had one last chance in the final 1:30 but a fourth and two try was stuffed by Howell and Miller to seal the deal.

The Bulldogs will host Boerne this week. The Greyhounds are also 2-0 with a 42-13 opening season win over Beeville, followed by a 37-9 win over Splendora. If rankings are accurate this should be a good one.

The Bulldogs, as of presstime, were ranked 14 in class 4A, while the Greyhounds were sitting at 15.

The Boerne Hounds have moved the ball well on the ground and through the air. Junior quarterback Rashawn Galloway, 5’10” 195 pounds, has a few quality targets but he himself can get it done. Last week Galloway threw for two touchdowns and rushed for two more in a win over Splendora at San Marcos Rattler Stadium.

Boerne’s senior running back No. 40 Scott Hettie is the Greyhounds main ground gainer, many times as a receiver out of the backfield. Hettie recorded two more scores versus Splendora and added five of five extra-points. The 5’9” 175 pound Hettie is a tough runner. This Boerne squad will be a challenge.

Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium; we hope to see you there.