by | Published
BANDERA, TX – The Bandera Bulldogs kept their perfect season alive Friday night with a commanding 55-7 win over the Memorial Minutemen, improving to 9-0 overall and 3-0 in district play. The victory marks Bandera’s best start since 1984 and further cements their status as one of the top 4A programs in Texas this year.
The evening began with a special moment for the Bandera community, as Super Bowl champion coach Wade Phillips performed the coin toss. From there, it was all Bulldogs.
Bandera wasted no time setting the tone. On Memorial’s opening drive, linebacker Caleb Tippit forced a fumble that the Bulldogs recovered deep in Minutemen territory. On the very next play, running back Juan Cabrera punched it in from eight yards out to open the scoring.
The Bulldogs’ offense was unstoppable all night, surpassing 400 total yards for the fourth straight game. Cabrera led the ground attack with 150 rushing yards and two touchdowns, while quarterback Dalton Parks added 136 passing yards and 65 rushing yards, accounting for four total touchdowns. Parks connected twice with Jeffry Thomas and once with Jake Cesta through the air.
“Execution on the offensive line has been the key to us being so successful over the last month,” said Head Coach Joel Fontenot-Amedee. “Many hands make light work, and our many hands are working well together to lighten the load collectively. Additionally, we've become a multifaceted offense with a bell cow in the backfield.”
The defense matched the offense’s energy, holding Memorial to just one score and continuing an impressive run that has seen the Bulldogs allow only 28 total points across the last four games. “We have done a great job tackling and rallying to the football,” Coach Fontenot-Amedee said. “We gang tackle as a unit. Our defense plays with relentless effort, which is a testament to the players and coaches who push for perfect effort every play.”
With the game well in hand, several underclassmen got the chance to shine. Sophomore Carter Hanks scored his first varsity touchdown on a five-yard run in the fourth quarter, while defensive back William Vidmer sealed the win with a 25-yard interception return off a trick-play pass.
Reflecting on the program’s rise, Coach Fontenot-Amedee noted the journey from 0-9 in 2020 to the historic 9-0 start. “To be 9-0 is a phenomenal feat, and I’m so proud of everyone involved—especially the players who have dreamed of this season their whole lives,” he said. “We’ll celebrate what we’ve accomplished when we’re done accomplishing things. We have one more game to finish off our second season, and that’s our focus this week. We Are One.”
The Bulldogs will look to complete their perfect regular season and secure the undisputed District 4A Division II Region IV Championship when they travel to Carrizo Springs this Friday to face the Wildcats. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
