DAYTON – Wide receiver Bryson Garrett came through with the biggest play of Nederland’s 2019 season when he worked his way behind Dayton’s secondary and took a perfect spiral from quarterback Bryce McMorris 87 yards to the house late in the fourth quarter to key a 29-17 Bulldog victory here Friday night.

Nederland improved to 2-1 in District 12-5A-II play and to 2-4 on the season. Dayton remains winless at 0-3 and 0-6.

After leading by a 23-7 margin at halftime, the Bulldogs struggled to mount any offense in the third and fourth quarters. With just two first downs and facing a third-and-9 from its own 13-yard line, Garrett and McMorris brought the large Nederland following to its feet in spectacular fashion.

The touchdown, one of the Bulldogs’ longest in a number of years, was a beautiful sight to behold.

On the night, McMorris was 10-of-15 for 233 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

In the final 1:24 of the first half, the Dogs erupted for 10 points to take a commanding 23-7 into the locker room at intermission.

After Bronco quarterback Christian Olige turned a miraculous 48-yard run into a touchdown, breaking numerous Nederland tackles, Dayton had trimmed its deficit to just 13-7 with 7:03 to go in the second.

But give the Bulldogs credit, they answered with a 75-yard drive in 10 plays, then forced Dayton into a three-and-out. Starting at their own 30, the Bulldogs then went 70 yards in only four plays for their second score in 84 seconds.

Junior Payne Barrow’s 25-yard field goal produced a 16-7 lead with only 1:33 left in the half.

 

THE GAME CHANGED WHEN …

Behind the bulldozing running of Kade Scott and John Mazyck, the Dogs went for 13, 10 and 14 yards on the ground before senior quarterback Bryce McMorris fired a perfect strike to Rene Cunningham covering 20 yards and a score. The scoreboard clock showed just 0:09 left in the second period as Barrow’s PAT made a 23-7 Bulldog lead.

Cunningham’s showed incredible eye coordination as he watched McMorris’ TD aerial go right over the shoulders of a dazed Bronco safety.

McMorris dipped and darted his way into the end zone from 2 yards out with 9:43 of the second period capping a 69-yard, five play drive to make it 13-0 Bulldogs.

The drive was highlighted by a 48-yard bolt of right guard by Scott to the Bronco 22, a Scott caught a 16-yard pass reception from McMorris to the 5. McMorris did the honors as he raced around the right side untouched with 2:08 lefrt in the second.

On Nederland’s second possession of the night, the Bulldogs went 31 yards in only six plays as Scott barreled into the end zone from three yards out. Barrow’s PAT made 7-0 Nederland with 3:26 to go in the first.

 

THE GAME BALL GOES TO …

McMorris and Garrett for their 87-yard pass play.

 

UP NEXT …

The Bulldogs will take on Baytown Lee at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 18. Dayton will visit Port Neches-Groves with kickoff at the same time.

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By Larry Bodin, Special to The News