Marlin ISD

SWEET REVENGE!
Bulldogs Advance To Quarter Finals

We all remember a couple of years ago (2000) in the semi-finals at Waco ISD - Marlin held a 23-14 over La Grange going into the fourth quarter and looked to be on their way to the "Big Dance" BUT the Leopards came from behind and scored 21points in the final quarter to beat the Bulldogs 35-29.

This time the Leopards were behind again and never came close to catching the Bulldogs. The Leopards were behind on the scoreboard and were chasing Bulldogs players from behind all night long. In the end the Bulldogs caged the Leopards big time by a final of 34-7 Saturday night at Viking Stadium in Bryan.

There were a lot of exciting moments for the 'dawgs but the highlight had to be Tank Smiths 96-yard run on a 3rd and eleven call from the Marlin 4 yard line. The Tank broke free through a hole that was opened by Daniel Mason and Mark Jimenez at the line of scrimmage and out ran the Leopard defenders (see picture) to the end zone.

Now let's look back at how this game panned out:

The Dogs kicked off to start the game with Daniel Ronquillo kicking deep to Sam Gunn (a familiar last name). Gunn returned the ball 17 yards before being met by John Sadler and Miguel Lopez at the 24 -yard line.
On their first play from scrimmage, Antonio McKenzie picked up just two yards as Mark Jimenez and D'Nerian Wrighter met him. Then on second down, Lakendrick Washington busted through the line to throw Leopard quarterback, Chase Anderle for a seven-yard loss. (Washington finished with 18 tackles to lead the bulldogs in that department). Facing a 3rd and 11, Anderle went back to pass and Marlin defender, Red Richardson picked it off and 30 yards later - TOUCHDOWN! Ronquillo added the point after to make it 7-0 Dogs with 10:02 left in the opening quarter.

The Leopards went three and out on their second possession with the defense led by Washington holding them to 8 yards. After a five-yard penalty for delay of game, Kevin Seifert punted 42 yards to an awaiting Red Richardson who returned the ball 27 yards to the 49-yard line. On the dog's first offensive possession, Tank Smith picked up six yards. Then Tank again for three more. Third and one - Tank once more for four yards and a first down. The Dogs were moving as they were now at the Leopard 39. But then the Leopard defense threw QB Thaddeus Freeman for a big loss of 15 yards setting up a second and 25. Right back comes Thad - breaking tackles on a 25-yard run and another first down. Thad picks up another 10 yards on a second and eight. Back to back carries by the Tank and the dogs were poised at the Leopard one-yard line. Two tries and the Leopard defense deny the Dogs as the first quarter comes to an end.

On the first play of the second quarter - Jimenez darts in for the score and with Ronquillo's point after the Dogs were up 14-0!

On the ensuing kickoff, Gunn again receives the ball but is put down hard by Dale Robertson after only a nine-yard return. On this possession the Leopards went to junior running back, Cody Wilson on consecutive runs as they pick up a first down. But then on a third and seven try, the Leopards fumble, recover after a three-yard loss and once again are forced to punt. Seifert booms one 53 yards that Red returns 10 yards but a penalty on the Dogs puts them back at their own five yard line. The Leopard fans were on their feet now and their team has the Dogs pinned deep. Tank is stopped at the line on his first carry. Tank then loses a yard on the next carry bringing up third and eleven from the four. The Leopard fans are pumped - Then the play baby - Tank fines the hold opened by Lopez and Jimenez and its TANK TAKES IT TO THE HOUSE - 96 yards - TOUCHDOWN!! This one definitely silenced the Leopard crowd. Ronquillo added the point after and the Dogs were barking loud with a 21-0 lead with 5:45 left in the half.

The Leopards finally would answer. Facing a fourth and five at the Bulldog 49-yard line they go for it. Anderle hits Gunn for 15 yards and a first down. The Leopards then would face another fourth down with 42 seconds remaining in the half. This time Anderle keeps the ball and scampers for 25 yards (Longest run of the night for the Leopards) down to the Dog four-yard line. And with 22 seconds left in the half Anderle scores and with the point after by Seifert the score at the half is Bulldogs 21 Leopards 7.

In the second half the Dogs were to receive the kick off. Rather than kick deep to the dangerous duo of Richardson and Wrighter, the Leopards pooch kick and Devon Hughes called for a fair catch at the Marlin 42 yard line. Freeman calls his own number and picks up seven. Thad again, this time for no gain brings up 3rd and 7. Wrighter picks up 6 ½ yards bringing up 4th and inches. The Dogs go for it with Freeman getting the first down. Then on a second and nine from the Leopard 39 - Freeman throws his first pass of the night and hits his favorite target - Anthony "Piglet" Simms for a touchdown! Ronquillo's point after is blocked but the Dogs are up 27-7 with 8:33 to go in the third quarter.

Once again the Bulldog defense rises. After a 20-yard kick off return by Danson Wolfe to the Leopard 30, bulldog defender Stephen Woodward gets the "D" going with a hard tackle on Anderle after a 2wo-yard pickup. Then Sadler throws Anderle for a two-yard loss bringing up a 3rd and 10. Anderle tries to find running room and Sadler again puts the stop on and the Leopards are forced to punt once again.

The Dogs can't get anything going on their next possession and they are forced to punt for the first and only time on the night as Ronquillo gets off a 40-yard punt.

The Leopards begin at their own 17-yard line. Anderle completes a pass to Albion Stiffler that covers 20 yards. Three straight runs by Wilson gives the Leopards another first down. But then the Leopards are held to a fourth and four as the third quarter ends. Dogs up 27-7.

On the fourth down play Anderle's pass is complete but a pass interference call against the Dogs gives the Leopards a first and ten at the Marlin 41-yard line. On their first play Brandon Fisher breaks up Anderle's pass. Second and ten - Eric Venegas stops Wilson for a gain of only one yard. A wrap around draw on third down to Greg Boothe only picks up two yards bringing up a 4th and seven. The Leopards go for it and Anderle's pass is incomplete and the ball goes over on downs with 10:15 to play.

The Leopard defense holds the Dogs at bay on their next possession and the ball goes over on downs back to La Grange at the Marlin 47 with 7:50 to play. But once again the Bulldog defense rises! On a fourth and four, Anderle completes a pass to Greg Boothe but Jimenez meets him and stops him short of the first down marker. Ball goes back to the Dogs.

And then its "Turn Out The Lights" as Red takes a handoff, high steps down field, cuts left and out runs the Leopard defense - 55 yards - TOUCHDOWN!!! Ronquillo added the point after to make the final Marlin 34 and La Grange 7.

On the night the Bulldog defense led by Washington with 18 tackles and Sadler with 15 tackles held the Leopard offense to 130 total yards.

So now it's on to the Quarterfinals. The game will be played back at Viking Stadium in Bryan on Saturday, December 7 at 7 PM. The Dogs are the home team!

See you at the game!
(Don't forget the Pep Rally on the Court House steps after the Christmas Parade on Thursday night, December 5)

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

©1997 Marlin ISD
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