NEDERLAND — Despite a sloppy field, the Nederland Bulldogs found a way to come out on top against the Santa Fe Indians with a 21-0 at Bulldog Stadium Friday.

The game also featured numerous offsetting unsportsmanlike conduct penalties. Before halftime, both teams had to be separated before heading into the locker rooms.

The Bulldogs (4-0, 1-0 in 12-5A-II) found most of their success on the ground grinding out 236 yards on 33 carries. The game featured a lot of slips and drops on the muddy field.

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With 7:32 left in the first quarter, the Indians (1-3, 0-1) lined up for a punt. The Bulldogs sent the house and got home, with Brycen Grusecki recording the block and the 10-yard recovery for a score.

“Coach said they had a weak spot in the defense right there,” Grusecki said. “He told me that I was going through the ‘A’ gap and I was going to get a block this week. I was able to get through, block it, pick it up and score seven points.”

The Bulldog defense had another impressive showing. The second-ranked defense in the division held the Santa Fe offense to 282 yards.

 

The game changed when …

Bulldog running back Josh Mazyck busted into the end zone from 10 yards out with 8:00 left to play in the game. The score capped off an eight-play drive that took four minutes off the board. Mazyck finished the game with 12 carries for 142 yards and two scores.

Mazyck’s last run of the game was for 60 yards and gave the Bulldogs their final score with 1:22 remaining in the contest.

“It’s always a good thing (to start off 1-0 in district,” Barrow said. “You always want to stay in control of your own destiny. We told everyone only half the teams remain in first place after tonight, and we’re still there. Now, we move on to next week.”

The game ball goes to …

Grusecki, who set the tone when he blocked and recovered a punt for a score and made his presence felt on defense. Following an unsportsmanlike conduct call against Nederland, Grusecki came up to make a punishing tackle, upending the ball carrier. The drive ended two plays later with a punt.

Next Up …

The Bulldogs will travel to Mont Belvieu to take on Barbers Hill. The Indians will host Baytown Lee at Santa Fe. Both games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday.

 

Indians 0 Bulldogs 21

Santa Fe 0 0 0 0 — 0

Nederland 7 0 0 14 — 21

First quarter

Nederland — Brycen Grusecki 10 blocked punt recovery (Payne Barrow kick), 7:32

 

Fourth quarter

Nederland — Josh Mazyck 10 run (Payne Barrow kick), 8:00

Nederland — Josh Mazyck 60 run (Payne Barrow kick), 1:22

SF   Ned

Rushes-yards 23-52 33-236

Passing yards 230 120

Total yards  282 356

Comp-Att-Int 26-38-1 9-14-0

Fumbles-lost 2-1 2-2

Penalties-yards 2-10 6-65

 

Individual leaders

RUSHING — Nederland: Mazyck 12-142, Kade Scott 12-54, Blaysin Fernandez 7-43, Armani Douglas 1-4. Santa Fe: Austin Lamb 6-19, Bryce Montemayor 8-18, Nathan Kruger 8-15, Kolby Ballard 1-0.

PASSING — Nederland: Fernandez 9-13-0, 120, Bryce McMorris 0-1-0, 0. Santa Fe: Kruger 26-38-1, 230.

RECEIVING — Nederland: Carsen Arline 4-47, Kade Scott 0-25, Blayne Burnett 1-25, Douglas 1-14, Landon Hiltz 1-7, Adam Roccaforte 1-2. Santa Fe: Austin Lamb 10-106, Nate Hays 6-37, Montemayor 4-37, Brenton Boehm 3-27, Bruce Erekson 1-20, Marcus Villarreal 2-3.