The Bullard Panther varsity football team prowled their way back into action last week, as the team loaded the buses and traveled for a non-district showdown against the Brownsboro Bears Friday, Sept. 15, at Brownsboro High School. Brownsboro was able to jump ahead to an early lead in the opening quarter of the contest thanks to the Bears’ defensive unit scampering their way into the end zone after returning a Panther fumble 94 yards. The extra point kick by the Bears was successful, giving the home team Bears an early 7-0 lead over the visiting Panthers. The Bears’ offensive unit was also able to locate the end zone in the first quarter, as one of the team’s running backs broke free from the grasps of the Panthers’ defenders for a 12-yard rushing touchdown. With a successful extra point attempt, the Bears led the Panthers, 14-0. Not to be outdone, the Panthers scratched and clawed their way down the field and into the end zone near the end of the first quarter with a 61-yard touchdown pass connection from senior quarterback Cleet Bowman to senior wide receiver Will McCowin. The Panthers’ extra point try, kicked by McCowin, was successful, allowing Bullard to close in on Brownsboro’s lead, 14-7. In the second quarter, Brownsboro crawled their way around the Panthers’ defensive unit, as the home team maneuvered down the gridiron en route to an 11-yard touchdown reception from the Bears’ quarterback to an open receiver. The Bears’ extra point attempt was good, as Brownsboro led Bullard, 21-7. Brownsboro was able to tack on a second touchdown in the second frame of the contest thanks to the team’s quarterback launching a 46-yard touchdown reception to a receiver downfield. The team’s extra point kick was unsuccessful; however, the teams went into the locker rooms with Brownsboro holding a 27-7 advantage over Bullard. After returning to the field of play for the second half, Bullard was able to capitalize on scoring opportunities early in the third quarter. The first score for the Panthers in the third quarter came via the legs of Cleet Bowman, punching in a two-yard rushing touchdown past the Bears’ defenders. McCowin’s leg provided a successful extra point kick, narrowing Brownsboro lead over Bullard, 27-14. Bullard crossed the goal line for the second time in the new half later in the third, when senior running back Luke Bowman got loose and dove into the end zone for a 10 yard touchdown rush. With the successful extra point by McCowin, Brownsboro narrowly led Bullard, 27-21. The home team Brownsboro was able to fight back against Bullard and increase their lead thanks to an 11-yard touchdown pass. Brownsboro’s coaching staff elected to attempt a two-point conversion, which was successful, giving the Bears a 35-21 lead over Bullard. The Panthers were not done scoring in the third quarter, as the team capped off the frame with a 15-yard touchdown pass from Cleet Bowman to senior wide receiver Aaron Smith. Yet again, McCowin’s leg continued to produce for the Panthers, completing another extra point attempt, as Brownsboro led Bullard, 35-28. In the fourth quarter, the Panther offense continued to prowl its way across the goal line, as sophomore quarterback Tristen Shewmake was able to locate McCowin running his way towards the end zone and complete a 30-yard touchdown pass. McCowin sailed the Panthers’ extra point attempt through the yellow uprights, as the Panthers tied the contest against the Bears, 35-35. Brownsboro broke the knotted-up game with a touchdown in the middle of the fourth quarter, a 26-yard rushing touchdown effort. The home team’s extra point was good, putting Brownsboro back on top, 42-35. The final score of the contest was attributed to the Bears, crossing the goal line for the final time late in the fourth quarter. With a successful extra point attempt, the Brownsboro Bears sealed the victory over the Bullard Panthers, 49-35. Cleet Bowman was the leader at the quarterback position for the Panthers against the Bears, completing 18 of 29 passing attempts for 236 passing yards, and two passing touchdowns. Shewmake also saw action at quarterback, completing two of four attempts for 40 yards and one passing touchdown. For the Panthers’ rushers, Luke Bowman led the prowl against the Bears with 11 rushing attempts for 63 yards and one rushing touchdown. Other significant rushers for the Panthers against the Bears included Cleet Bowman, with three rushes for -10 yards and one rushing touchdown; senior wide receiver Cade Duvak, with six rushes for 17 yards; and Shewmake, with one rush for seven yards. McCowin was the Panthers’ leading receiver in yardage, with four catches for 128 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns. Other significant receivers for the Panthers against the Bears included senior wide receiver Ty Crayton, with six catches for 63 yards; sophomore wide receiver Jaxson Elliott, with two catches for 21 yards; junior wide receiver Colton Bowman, with two catches for 20 yards; sophomore wide receiver Nick Hooley, with two catches for 17 yards; Smith, with one catch for 15 yards; and junior wide receiver Dustin Dover, with one catch for 12 yards. Defensively, the Panthers were led by junior defensive back Damion Brown, who recorded a total of six tackles and six assists in the contest. Other significant contributors on defense for the Panthers against the Bears included senior linebacker Thomas Brooks, with six tackles and one assist; junior linebacker Reece Ricketts, with six tackles, three assists, and one sack; senior linebacker Brody Mullican, with four tackles and three assists; Luke Bowman, with three tackles and four assists; junior defensive back Landry Lasseter, with three tackles and four assists; and senior defensive lineman Kele Leachman, with two tackles and five assists. With the loss to the Brownsboro Bears, the Bullard Panther varsity football team currently stands with an overall record of 0-3 on the 2017 season. Next game: Friday, Sept. 22 (Homecoming 2017) - Commerce (0-3) at Bullard (0-3).