Fernandez’s 6 TDs leads Nederland blowout of Lee
Published 11:17 pm Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Blaysin Fernandez of Nederland looks for running room at home against Baytown Lee on Tuesday. (Brian Vincent/Special to The News)
Nederland’s Blayne Burnett (6) catches the second of two first-half touchdowns over Baytown Lee’s Carlos Silvestre (1) on Tuesday. (Brian Vincent/Special to The News)
Nederland’s Noah Lewis (5) and Mika Weaver (40) take down Baytown Lee’s Ja’Kenan Davis (33) after a short gain. (Brian Vincent/Special to The News)
Nederland’s Devon Simmons (3) finishes off a run against Baytown Lee’s Victor Clarke (80). (Brian Vincent/Special to The News)
Nederland’s Cole Feltman (55) brings pressure to Baytown Lee’s Ijenea Wooley (4) on Tuesday. (Brian Vincent/Special to The News)
By Chris Moore
Special to The News
NEDERLAND — The Nederland Bulldogs came out firing on all cylinders in their 46-14 win over the Baytown Lee Ganders on Tuesday at Bulldog Stadium.
Nederland quarterback Blaysin Fernandez turned in an impressive performance for the second consecutive week, throwing for 274 yards on 12 of 18 passing and six touchdowns.
With 3:09 left in the first quarter, the Bulldogs found themselves in an early 14-6 hole after allowing the Ganders to score on their first two drives. However, Nederland scored 40 unanswered points to close out the game.
Nederland head coach Monte Barrow gave credit to his defense to locking down after the slow start.
“We did too many things to shoot ourselves in the foot defensively,” he said. “Usually, that is something you might say about your offense. We talked about it at halftime — we’ve got to clean that up. We’re going to be in a football game that comes down to the end and it’s the little things that is going to come back and bite us.”
The Bulldogs’ offense exploded in the second and third quarter, scoring 35 points. Nederland (3-0, 2-0 in 22-5A) didn’t waste any time as Fernandez hit Kevon Latulas on a short pass that ended with 77-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter.
All but one of Fernandez’s six touchdowns were for 20 yards or more.
Barrow said his quarterback played well, but he had a lot of help from teammates.
“He had guys making plays for him,” Barrow said. “He definitely had another good game. Hopefully we can build on that. We put two in a row together, and now, we’ll try to make it three in a row. That’s what he have to do tot reach our goals.
One of the players Fernandez looked to often for big plays was receiver Blayne Burnett, who finished the game with four catches for 103 yards and three touchdowns.
“Burnett has been stepping up,” Fernandez said. “Me and him had a connection tonight. It feels like we’ve been working hard during practice, making every second count. That’s what we’ve been working.”
Burnett also felt the chemistry between his quarterback.
“Me and Blaysin are starting to click,” he said. “I’m starting to feel like his go-to. We see the field together and it is a great feeling.”
Barrow said he was happy to finally play in front of the home fans.
“It’s been a long time just waiting on a home game,” he said. “It was exciting to come out tonight. It was a big crowd for a different scheduled night. We were excited about defending our home turf in a district ball game.”
Lee fell to 0-2 overall and in district.
The Bulldogs have their eyes on being on top of the district at the end of the season.
“We’re on a mission to win the district championship,” Fernandez said.
Nederland will continue that mission at home against Port Arthur Memorial (2-0, 2-0 in 22-5A) on Monday. The game, which is also Parent Night, is set for 7 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium.
