In a thrilling Friday night showdown, the Bandera varsity football team displayed remarkable resilience but fell just short of completing a dramatic comeback against Hondo. The Bulldogs (4-1) faced a 15-point deficit at halftime but ultimately lost 37-25 in a game that showcased their determination.

The first half was marred by mistakes, with Bandera struggling, especially on special teams. H

“It was a tale of two halves,” Bandera head football coach and athletic director Joel Fontenot-Amedee said. “We played very poorly in the first half in spells, particularly on special teams. I was very proud of how our team played the entire second half with grit. We had chances to take the lead but ultimately came up a little short. It’s exactly what we needed. A playoff atmosphere for a non-district slugfest.”

The turning point came in the third quarter when sophomore kicker Maverick Short's kickoff ricocheted off a Hondo player, recovered by junior Roman Rigelsky for the Bulldogs. Senior quarterback Jesse Cardenas connected with sophomore wide receiver Jeffry Thomas on a 41-yard touchdown pass, narrowing the gap to 27-19.

Bandera's defense then forced a quick three-and-out, setting the stage for another scoring drive. Cardenas delivered a 47-yard touchdown pass to senior Corben Gonzales, bringing the Bulldogs within striking distance at 27-25.

Despite a missed two-point conversion, Hondo only held a slim lead. However, the Owls extended it with a 38-yard field goal, making it 30-25. Bandera fought back with a long drive but missed a crucial field goal early in the fourth quarter. A 50-yard run by Hondo put the Owls in a favorable position, and they sealed the victory with a 28-yard touchdown pass, securing a 37-25 win.

Coach Fontenot-Amedee praised the team's character and resilience, emphasizing that the game was just one chapter in their story.

In the first half, a muffed punt set up Hondo's first touchdown, followed by Bandera's response with a 7-yard touchdown run from Cardenas. However, a blocked extra point left them trailing 7-6. Hondo extended their lead with two more touchdowns, taking a 27-12 lead into halftime.

Fontenot-Amedee credited the team's ability to settle down, make adjustments, and play with determination for their strong second-half performance.

Bandera's offense amassed 448 yards, with Cardenas throwing for 177 yards and two touchdowns and contributing 25 carries for 120 yards and a score. Running back Juan Cabrera had 23 carries for 126 yards and a touchdown, while Corben Gonzales made eight catches for 131 yards and a score.

On the defensive side, senior Jorge Cabasos led with 15 tackles, two for loss, a sack, and two forced fumbles. Senior Daniel Freeman added seven tackles, two for loss, and a sack, while sophomore Dane Barnett recorded seven tackles.

Despite the loss, the Bulldogs remain a formidable team at 4-1. They will aim to bounce back in their final non-district game against Robstown in a neutral site game in Jourdanton. Robstown, with a 2-3 record, has recently secured two consecutive wins and promises to be a formidable opponent.

JV Bulldogs stay undefeated with close win over Hondo

Freshman kick Miguel Avalos connected on a crucial 20-yard field goal with 6:43 to go in the 3rd quarter and the JV Bulldogs held on for a 24-20 win over Hondo Thursday night, marking the team’s first JV win over the Owls in more than five years.

Bandera led from start to finish after a 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from freshman Breydan Gherman on the opening kickoff. The Owls quickly responded with a 58-yard touchdown pass on their first possession, but Bandera made it 14-6 with a 7-yard touchdown run from freshman quarterback Dalton Parks early in the second quarter.

The Bulldogs’ defense held Hondo in check throughout the game behind big games from Kenneth Seth, Jonah Klein and Jaymin Klein, but turnovers and untimely mistakes plagued the Bulldogs’ and kept things from getting out of hand. Gherman returned a Hondo fumble inside the redzone to set up the field goal from Avalos, and Gherman broke off a 45-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter to make it 24-6.

Hondo eventually climbed back into the game with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns, but Parks intercepted a pass in the final minute to secure the win for the Bulldogs.

Bandera is now 4-0-1 on the season at the JV level. The Bulldogs next contest is TBD at this time