Marlin ISD

Burnet Bulldogs Have The Last Bite

If you look at the stats of the game, the Marlin Bulldogs win the game hands down. But on the scoreboard it was a different ending at the state ranked Burnet Bulldogs squeaked out an overtime win over our Marlin Bulldogs.

The Marlin team rushed for more yards (270 to 58); had more total yards (293 to 163); had more first downs (14 to 12); punted only twice to Burnet's five times and recovered two fumbles to Burnet's one. But the scoreboard read 26-21 Burnet in the end.

Our hometown dogs gave the state ranked dogs all they could handle and fought to the very end. It was a very exciting game to watch and the team did not disappoint the hometown fans. Burnet came into Marlin favored by as many as 14 points but Marlin showed that they could play with the highly ranked Burnet squad.

Early on this one looked like it was going to be all defense as both team offenses were stymied until Burnet scored with 1:30 left in the first quarter. Quarterback, Stephen McGee found a wide-open Zack Glaizer in the right end zone for a 22 - yard scoring pass. Jordan Shipley added the point after to put Burnet up 7-0.

Then with 8:30 remaining in the second quarter, the Marlin Bulldogs answered with a bruising run by D'Nerian Wrighter, as he rumbled 44 yards, shedding tacklers, to the end zone. Daniel Ronquillo's point after was good and we were tied at 7.

Marlin scored again with 5:53 left in the half. Stephen Woodward caused a Burnet fumble and recovered the ball deep in Burnet territory. Tank Smith later scored from five yards out and with Ronquillo's kick the hometown dogs were up 14-7 and the Burnet fans were very quite.

On the ensuing kickoff, the bulldog defense had the Burnet team pinned inside the twenty but an off sides penalty led to the dogs having to re-kick. This time the Burnet fans were on their feet as Cody Warner returned the kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown. And with Shipley's point after, we were tied 14-14 at the half.

In the second half, Burnet took the lead just before the end of the third quarter. The score was set up on a little "razzle dazzle" play - Facing a third down and long situation, Burnet pulled what looked to be a reverse to Jordan Shipley but Shipley pulled up and threw a pass to his quarterback, McGee down the left side line for 43 yards. From there McGee found his tight end, Daniel Trapp for a 13-yard scoring pass. Point after by Shipley was good and Burnet moved back on top 21-14 as we headed to the final quarter.

At the 7:47 mark Daniel Ronquillo just missed on a 32-yard field goal and the Marlin team was looking for a defensive play to get the ball back. And that's exactly what they got. With 5:30 remaining in the game, the defense caused a fumble and Braxton Hill recovered at the Burnet 25 yard line. The dogs ran left, ran right and ran up the middle before quarterback, Thaddeus Freeman scored from one yard out with 2:40 to play. Ronquillo's kick was good and we were tied once again at 21 -21.

Burnet would get one more chance to break the tie. With 2:36 to play, McGee picked up eight yards setting up second and two with the clock running. A big defensive play by Mark Jimenez as he throws Shipley for a seven-yard loss. That set up a third and nine with 1:17 to go with Burnet calling a time out. When play resumed, McGee hits Cody Warner for a twelve-yard gain to the Marlin 42 yard line. A long pass is broken up by the defense setting up a second and ten. McGee runs for fours yards - time out Burnet at the Marlin 38 with 52 seconds remaining. A third down pass play goes incomplete and Burnet is forced to punt. The Marlin team ran one play for a loss back to the ten and then let the clock run out and we were headed for OT baby!

In the over time the Marlin Bulldogs had first possession. But on their first play, Freeman's pass intended for Cody Malone in the end zone was picked off by Shipley and Burnet had stopped the Dogs on their attempt from the 25-yard line. All Burnet needed was a field goal and the game was theirs. Fullback Chris Levens picked up three yards on first down. On second down it was McGee to the ten and then Levens scored around the left side for the touchdown to give Burnet the win 27-21.

On the night Tank Smith rushed for 114 yards on 15 carries and scored 1 touchdown. D'Nerian Wrighter rushed four times for 62 yards and a touchdown. John Sadler led the defense with 13 tackles.

It was a great game to watch and both bulldogs' teams put on a great show.

It doesn't get any easier for the Marlin Bulldogs. This Friday night they travel to Ennis to take on the 16-4A Division II state champions. Ennis finished last year with a perfect 16-0 mark and are undefeated so far this year and they are ranked number one in the state. Kick off is set for 7:30 PM.

Marlin ISD
Created August 26, 1997 -- last revision September 2002
Please mail comments or suggestions to tsimpson@marlinisd.org

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