NEDERLAND — The Nederland defense and a good dose of the running game propelled the Bulldogs to a 33-14 victory over Beaumont United at Bulldog Stadium Friday.

“It’s always a good feeling to start off 2-0,” Nederland head coach Monte Barrow said. “Like we told them, we’ll go back and look at the film and be nitpicky. We’ll try to improve and take it one week at a time and try to go 3-0.”

Both teams started off shaky on offense, punting on each of there opening drives.

The Timberwolves (0-2) went three-and-out on their second and the Bulldogs took over in good field position after a 14-yard punt by United. After six plays, the Bulldogs’ Payne Barrow nailed a 28-yard field goal to give Nederland a 3-0 lead with 1:53 left in the first quarter.

On the next drive, United quarterback Xzavier Vaughn was intercepted by Nederland’s Cedrick Pete on the Nederland 48.

Blaysin Fernandez left the game in the second half after landing awkwardly on his left shoulder and did not return. After the game Barrow said Fernandez could have returned, but felt the reps for backup quarterback Bryce McMorris were more important.

 

The game changed when …

The second quarter belonged to the Bulldogs. Following the Nederland interception, the Bulldogs moved the ball 52 yards on four plays, capping the drive off with a 31-yard touchdown run by Kade Scott. The score put the Bulldogs 10-0 with 10:52 left in the second quarter. Josh Mazyck also added a score on a 10-yard run with 2:12 left before the half to make the score 19-0.

“It’s no secret that when teams play us, they know the first thing they want to stop us from doing is running the ball,” Barrow said. “We’re not bashful about that. We’re confident in our offensive line. We started out a little slow, but they started figuring things our and establishing their will.”

 

The game ball goes to …

The Nederland defense. The Bulldogs forced two turnovers (both Pete and Logan Nguyen had interceptions) and held the Timberwolves to 232 yards of total offense. The defense also put points on the board when they forced Xzavier Vaughn to intentionally ground the ball in the end zone.

“There was different guys making plays,” Barrow said. “Some guys that didn’t even know they were going to start last week filled in very well and both had a pick. We have young corners. I’m proud of them and hopefully that gives them confidence moving forward.”

 

Next Up

Next, the Bulldogs travel to Silsbee (0-2), who is looking for their first win after losing to Newton on the road Friday. Beaumont United will matchup against Memorial (2-0) at home Sept. 15. The Titans are coming off of a 47-14 win over Houston Madison.

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Chris Moore: 721-2427. Twitter: @Chris_Moore09

 

Bulldogs 33, Timberwolves 14

Beaumont United 0 0 7 7 — 14

Nederland 3 16 7 7 — 33

First quarter

Ned — Payne Barrow 28 field goal, 1:53

 

Second quarter

Ned — Kade Scott 31 run (Barrow kick), 10:52

Ned — Safety against Beaumont United, 2:45

Ned — Josh Mazyck 10 run (Barrow kick), 2:12

 

Third quarter

United — Xzavier Vaghn 4 run (David Azua kick), 6:26

Ned — Ashton Guilbeaux 6 pass from Bryce McMorris (Barrow kick), 3:28

 

Fourth quarter

Ned — Armani Douglas 1 run (Barrow kick), 4:21

United — Harrion Seals 36 pass from Zemaiah Vaghn (David Azua kick), 2:03

BU   Ned

Rushes-yards 32-105 34-171

Passing yards 127 163

Total yards 232 334

Comp-Att-Int 9-25-2 12-19-0

Fumbles-lost 0-0 2-0

Penalties-yards 8-59 7-60

 

Individual statistics

RUSHING — Nederland: Scott 10-70, Fernandez 7-2, Mazyck 10-88, McMorris 1-(-10), Douglas 3-11, Dylan Deiss 3-10. United: Isiah Jackson 5-2, Jamarion Eaglin 11-65, X. Vaughn 9-14, Colby Thomas 1-0, James Wilson 3-19, Ze. Vaughn 1-5.

PASSING — Nederland: Fernandez 7-13-0, 74, McMorris 5-6-0, 89. United: X. Vaughn 6-22-2, 71, Ze. Vaughn 3-3-0, 56.

RECEIVING — Nederland: Douglas 1-7, Blayne Burnett 4-73, Landon Hiltz 2-18, Brycen Grusecki 1-21, Carsen Arline 2-25, Guilbeaux 1-6, Mazyck 1-11. United: Seals 2-51, Zachary Vaughn 3-21, Julius Rattler 2-16, Eaglin 1-25.