SANTA FE – The Nederland Bulldogs took out their frustrations of a slow start to the season on the Santa Fe Indians on Friday, dominating all aspects of the game en route to a 48-0 demolition in the District 12-5A Division II opener for both squads.

The Bulldogs (1-3 overall, 1-0 in 12-5A-II) piled up 292 yards of offense, 198 of those in the first half, while holding the Indians (1-3, 0-1) to 88 yards on the night.

The Bulldogs took control early, scoring on their first two possessions to lead 14-0 before 10 minutes had elapsed. Bryce McMorris hit Rene Cunningham on a 21-yard TD pass with 7:38 remaining in the first quarter to make it 7-0 before connecting with Kamden Grant on a 20-yard scoring strike with 2:25 left in the opening quarter.

Kade Scott scored two touchdowns in the second quarter for the Bulldogs to make it 27-0 heading into halftime. Scott scored on a 1-yard run with 3:59 remaining in the quarter on the first play after Nederland recovered a Santa Fe fumble. Scott reached the end zone again just 14 seconds before halftime as he caught a 3-yard toss from McMorris. Payne Barrow was 3-for-4 on PAT attempts in the first half.

Bryson Garrett made it 34-0 just 85 seconds into the third quarter on a 61-yard catch and run on McMorris’ fourth TD pass of the game. That was the last pass McMorris threw, as head coach Monte Barrow let junior Corbin Chandler handle the signal calling the rest of the way.

Jadyne Ford made it 41-0 when he raced 32 yards to pay dirt after scooping up a Santa Fe fumble as time expired in the third quarter. The Bulldogs closed out the scoring on a 2-yard run by Robert Mathes with 4:43 remaining in the game.

 

THE GAME CHANGED WHEN …

McMorris hit Grant for a 20-yard TD pass with 2:25 left in the first quarter to make it 14-0.

The Bulldogs scored on their first two possessions, taking the life out of the Indians and their faithful. Santa Fe had just two first downs in the first half and never threatened the rest of the way.

 

THE GAME BALL GOES TO …

McMorris, who was 11-of-17 for 222 yards and four TDs. McMorris rushed three times for 14 yards. McMorris likely would have put up bigger numbers had he not been lifted in the third quarter after the Bulldogs increased their lead to 34-0.

 

UP NEXT …

The Bulldogs return home to host Barbers Hill at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 (Radio: KLVI-AM 560).

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By Pat Murray, Special to The News