GIDDINGS — The Panthers got back in the win column on Friday with a complete performance against Bartlett, shutting down the Bulldogs 28-7 at Buffalo Stadium in Giddings. Coming off a heartbreaking 42-41 overtime loss to Somerville, the Panthers aimed to rebound and re-enter the District 13-2A Division II title picture. Uncertain about how his young team would respond after the tough loss, Burton coach Jason Hodde credited the significant improvement from the previous week.
The Panthers shut out the Bulldogs in the first half. The Bulldogs had proven an effective offense, averaging 40.3 points per district contest and achieving three wins for the first time in a season since 2014.
Bartlett found early success with its no-huddle attack but was unable to convert any of its three fourth-down attempts. It was a bend-don’t-break kind of night for Coach Jason Hodde’s squad. “The biggest thing you worry about with high school kids is how they will come out after an overtime loss in a rivalry game,” Hodde said.
“I thought that could happen, but we got the job done. Bartlett is coached well, so we had to be ready to go, and I felt we were.” Despite getting into Panthers’ territory on all three of their first-half drives, the Bulldogs had the same result: turnover on downs.
The Bulldogs flashed excellence with running back Tywon Walker gaining first downs, but the passing game produced little. The Bulldogs converted only two of their nine third-down attempts and went on.