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How Sweet It Is!

The record books show it's been over 20 years since the bulldogs beat the Midway Panthers. Well that all changed on Friday the 13th at Panther Stadium.

The Bulldogs did find themselves down 6-20 heading into the final quarter and it looked like that 20 year plus record would be extended. And some of the bulldog fans also thought that as they headed to the gates. BUT as the saying goes - It ain't over 'til it's over! And the dogs came barking back to beat the Panthers 23-20 in overtime on a Daniel Ronquillo 39-yard field goal. You know this one had to taste reaaaaaaal good! When you're flagged 13 times on the 13th something had to change!

After a scoreless first quarter dominated by both team defenses, the bulldogs got on the board first in the second quarter as QB Thaddeus Freeman found a wide open Cody Malone in the back of the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown. Ronquillo missed the extra point but he redeemed himself in the OT period.

Midway answered back with their quarterback, Matt Czimskey scoring from one yard out. The point after by Brad Harrell was good and Midway took a one-point lead to the lockers.

The third quarter was all Panthers as they scored twice on short runs from Czimskey (1 yard) and tailback Matt Lacy (8 yards) to build a 20-6 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

But then it was ---"Who Let The Dogs Out!" Freeman found Anthony Simms open over the middle and 55 yards later it was TOUCHDOWN DOGS! The two-point conversion try failed but the dogs closed to within eight points.

Again came Freeman to the cause. This time he hit three passes in a row - the first to Simms for 23 yards, the second to Giddings for 10 yards and the third completion a 17 yard scoring toss to Mark Jimenez to close the dogs to within 2 points with just over two minutes to play!

Once more the dogs turned to Freeman who called his own number on the two-point conversion. Running left then reversing his field coming right and leaping over the last defender to score the game tying conversion.

The Panthers still had time to cease the moment though as they took the kickoff and opened up shop from their 35 yard line with just under two minutes to play. The bulldog defense would have none of it. Facing a second and six, defenders Stephen Woodward and Dedrick Lewis "bulldogged" the quarterback for a sack setting up third and long. This time it would be #32, senior Lakendrick Washington busting through the line to sack Czimskey forcing the Panthers to punt the ball back to the dogs.

Taking over at their own 13, the dogs tried two passes that fell incomplete bringing up a big third and ten play with under a minute to go. The call went to D'Nerian Wrighter who bulled over defenders to pick up the first down and the dogs let the clock run out to send the game into overtime.

In overtime each team gets to try and score from the 25-yard line and the dogs were up first. Three downs netted the dogs only three yards so on trotted Daniel Ronquillo to try a 39-yard field goal. With Jimenez, the all-important holder, the ball was placed down and the kick sailed through the uprights to give the dogs a three-point lead.

Now the defense had to hold the Panthers as they got their chance to score from the 25-yard line. Facing a second and six situation, Czimskey went back to pass and the ball was picked off by Jimenez to seal the bulldog victory!

On the night Freeman passed for 128 yards hitting on 8 of 19 passes for three touchdowns while throwing two interceptions. The dogs finished with over 300 total yards while the defense led by John Sadler (14 tackles) and Washington (10 tackles and 2 sacks) gave up only 50 yards on the ground. (199 yards through the air).

Next up for the dogs - another road game as they travel to cross-town rival Mart on the 20th. The dogs have yet to beat the Panthers. Could it be deja vue! First the Midway Panthers and now the Mart Panthers? Come on out to the game and see and cheer the bulldogs on. Game time is 7:30 PM at Mart Stadium.

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