For the first time since 2007, the Bandera Bulldogs are bi-district champions.
Jesse Cardenas accounted for five total touchdowns Friday night, and the Bulldogs’ defense contained a high-powered Jarrell offense in the second half to help propel the Bandera football program to an exciting 32-27 win.
The Bulldogs moved to 10-1 on the season and advanced to the Class 4A Division II area round, where they will play Ingleside (10-1). That game is set for 7:00 pm Friday Nov. 17 in Pleasanton.
“We set team goals last spring to win a district championship and to win a playoff game,” Bandera athletic director and head football coach Joel Fontenot- Amedee said. “We then laid out the roadmap for how those goals could be achieved. Our players bought into the plan, and we are all now reaping the rewards. It’s been quite a journey, and we are so proud of our team. It’s really an unbelievable feeling to see this team achieve their goals.”
After Jarrell marched down the field and took a 7-0 lead on its opening possession, the Bulldogs exploded for 19 consecutive points in the first half. A 13-play, 75yard drive capped off by a 7-yard touchdown run from Cardenas tied the game at 7-7 with 4:07 remaining in the first quarter, and the Bandera defense forced a punt after a quick three and out.The Bulldogs seized the game’s momentum when Cardenas fielded the punt at the 49-yard line and spun out of a handful of Jarrell tackles before finding his way into the end zone, giving the Bulldogs a 13-7 lead, and sending the Bandera sideline into a frenzy.
“We stole the momentum with that punt return,” Fontenot- Amedee said. “Jesse is such a special player, and that play was definitely electric. Equally as impressive was the caravan of teammates he had that led him into the endzone.”
Another quick stop and a 26-yard punt return from senior Corben Gonzales gave the Bulldogs’ great field possession again, and Bandera extended its lead to 19-7 after a 26-yard pass from Cardenas to Gonzales set up a 3-yard touchdown run from Cardenas with 8:50 left in the first half.
Jarrell was able to cut into the deficit on the ensuing offensive possession after breaking a 63-yard touchdown run, but the Bulldogs offense continued to thrive, using just nine plays to move into scoring range again before Cardenas punched in a 6-yard touchdown run to make it 26-14 Bandera with just over three minutes left before the break. The Cougars kept things close going into the locker room, though, scoring on a 20-yard touchdown pass at the 28 second mark. The Bulldogs’ lead was cut to 26-20 at halftime.
“The message at halftime was simple – 2 stops, a score and we win this game,” Fontenot- Amedee said. “Go get your playoff win!”
Bandera made it happen, continuing to eat up yardage on its first offensive possession of the third quarter, running the ball six straight times before a 5-yard touchdown run from Cardenas made it 32-20 with 8:10 to go in the third.
The Bulldogs defense stepped up in a big way in the second half, forcing a turnover on downs in the red zone on the Cougars’ first possession of the third. Cardenas then intercepted a Jarrell pass inside the Bulldogs’ 10-yard line, and senior Carson Powers recovered a fumble early in the fourth quarter as well. The Cougars scored their only second half points on a 35-yard touchdown run with 1:56 remaining in the fourth quarter, but the Bulldogs recovered the ensuing onside kick and were able to kneel out the remainder of the clock in the victory formation.
“We made great halftime adjustments,” Fontenot- Amedee said. “Our guys were very opportunistic last night. They made big plays! This defense is a blast to coach.”
Bandera finished with 333 yards of total offense, including 291 yards on the ground behind a strong effort from the offensive line of Gavin Spruell, Rance Roden, Roger McCrobie, Noah Sizemore, Isaiah Coloney and Logan Harman.
Cardenas had 30 carries for 219 yards and four touchdowns while adding 26 passing yards and 16 receiving yards. Juan Cabrera had 46 yards rushing, and Corben Gonzales added 68 total yards (16 yards passing, 26 yards rushing, 26 yards receiving).
The Bandera defense was led in the front seven by the play of senior linebacker Jorge Cabasos, who had seven tackles, one tackle for loss and one sack. The secondary was led by sophomore cornerback Jeffry Thomas, who had one tackle and one PBU while providing strong coverage from start to finish.
Other defensive contributors included Daniel Freeman (six tackles, one TFL), Dylan Gherman (five tackles, one TFL, two PBUs), Sam Snavely (five tackles), Gavin Spruell (four tackles, one TFL), Carson Powers (three tackles) and Dane Barnett (two tackles). The Bulldogs will now look to continue the program’s historic season as the team shifts its focus from Jarrell to Ingleside. The Mustangs, who finished second in District 15-4A Division II behind Sinton, are also 10-1 on the season. Ingleside is coming off a 50-20 win over Grulla and boasts a high-powered offense that is averaging over 50 points in 11 games this season.
The winner of Friday night’s game will advance to the regional semifinals to play either Wimberley or Orange Grove.
“10-1 vs. 10-1. We can’t wait,” Fontenot-Amedee said. “We will be Friday ready when we meet at Pleasanton this Friday! We can’t wait to see Bulldog Nation wearing WHITE or playoff shirt black this week to support their Bulldogs.”
