Spencer Thornton (68) & Ethan Lansford (75) clearing a path for Chris McDaniel (20) to run the ball. Photo by Jennifer Lansford
Wortham falls to Hubbard
by By Sandy Young Special to The News
(Posted 11/12/2009 02:01 pm)
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“This has been a tremendous experience for me” said Wortham head coach Jerry Young. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed getting to know these fine young men and watching them grow as a team from week to week.”
Entering the game with two of their starters, Cameron Price and Manton Capers, sidelined with injuries, the Bulldogs scored on their opening drive on a 1-yard run by Quarterback Brandon Lansford, a junior. The kick by Corey Price made the score 7-0.
Hubbard Quarterback Lance McClain put the Jaguars on the board with a 2-yard run late in the opening quarter. The PAT failed leaving the Bulldogs in the lead 7-6.
Unable to turn their next possession into a score, the Bulldogs turned the ball over on down deep in Hubbard territory. McClain was able to take advantage of the possession and scored on a 69-yard run with 7:01 left in the half. The PAT failed leaving the score 12-7.
Less than three minutes later, a 33-yard touchdown run by Senior Jake Jones, coupled with a successful kick by Corey Price gave Wortham a 14-12.
With 2:10 left on the clock, the Jaguars scored again on a 59-yard pass from McClain to John Jones. Isaiah Thompson’s PAT made the score 20-14 at the end of the half.
Hubbard took the kick-off to start the second half, but was unable to gain ground as Bulldog defenders Hance Spencer, Chris McDaniel, Jones and Lansford forced them the Jaguars to punt.
McDaniel put the Bulldogs back in the lead with a2-yard touchdown run. Corey Price’s kick made the score 21-20 with 5:49 left in the third.
McLain added six to the Hubbard score on a 4-yard run with 2:13 remaining in the quarter. The PAT failed.
After taking the kick near their own goal, the Bulldogs moved the ball into down field in the final minutes of the third. Less than two minutes into the fourth quarter, McDaniel broke free scoring on a 32-yard run. The kick failed making the score 27-26 in the Wortham’s favor.
Hubbard dashed the Bulldogs playoff hopes with a 12-yard touchdown pass from Thompson to Casey Jones with 6:32 remaining in the game. The PAT attempt failed making the final score 32-27.
“I’m very proud of the kids and what they accomplished this year,” said Young. “Nobody gave them a chance going into the season. They worked hard, played hard and won the respect of every team they played. In the end it all comes down to this: we lined up to play the final game with a shot at making the playoffs. There are a lot of teams out there that can’t say that.”
McDaniel lead the Bulldogs in rushing Friday, with 132 yards and 22 carries. Jones had 131 yards in 25 carries. Bailey Hogan carried the ball twice for nine yards and Lansford had three yards in two carries.
Earlier in the night, Chey Anne Bates and Blake Ridge were crowned homecoming Queen and King in pregame festivities. At halftime Mr. and Miss WHS, Jake Jones and Jodi Thornton were presented to the standing-room only crowd. Other queen and king nominees were Kayla Doan, Lacey Hall, Peyton Calame and Bradley Paradowski.
Jones finished the season second leading rusher in the Golden Circle Area with 1521 yards in 221 carries, with 17 touchdowns. McClain was first with 1557 yards in 188 carries with 22 touchdowns. Cameron Price was twelfth in the area with 687 yards in 123 carries with two touchdowns.
Wortham Homecoming King & Queen- Chey Anne Bates and Blake Ridge Photo by Jennifer Lansford
