Bullard falls to Chapel Hill; playoff hope remains
By Don Wallace

CHAPEL HILL - The bad news is Bullard lost 34-6 to Chapel Hill. The good news is, the Panthers are still in the playoff hunt.

Despite out-gaining Chapel Hill 312 to 257 yards, Bullard lost on the scoreboard in the District 14-3A game played Oct. 27.

"But because of this crazy district, we are still in the playoff hunt," Bullard head football coach Rex Sharp said.

The "craziness" was evident in the other scores as Van downed Athens, 26-14 while Canton edged Brownsboro 13-8.

All of a sudden Bullard's 1-2 record in district play does not look as bad it might seem.

Sharp continued, "I could all be set up for all the teams to be 2-2 heading into the last week of the season. All we know is that we need to win our last two games."

Against Chapel Hill, Bullard found themselves behind early and trying to go uphill against a feisty group of Bulldogs.

The combination of injuries and turnovers proved costly for the Panthers. Bullard made four turnovers, two led directly to Chapel Hill scores. The Panthers also saw quarterback and team leader Cameron Clark got out in the third period with a concussion. His status for the remainder of the season is unsure. "The turnovers and the

injuries, they were the key to the game," Sharp commented.

Chapel Hill relied on Chris Mass for big play early in the game against Bullard. Mass scored on a short run to give the Bulldogs a quick 6-0 lead.

Then later in the first half, a Bullard drive deep into Chapel Hill territory came to an abrupt halt when Mass picked off a Clark pass. Mass returned the errant aerial 93 yards to set up the next Chapel Hill score.

Bullard's lone touchdown of the game came with 1:40 left in the opening

half. The Panthers capped a scoring drive with a touchdown pass from Clark to Landon Willborn from 38- yards out.

At the half, Bullard was on the short end of a 20-6 score to the homestanding Bulldogs.

The second half was dominated by Chapel Hill as they out-scored the Panthers 14-0. Registering touchdowns for Chapel Hill were Marquis Warren and Matthew Tucker. Bullard lost by the final of 34-6.

Charlie Moore paced the Bullard defense with 10 tackles. Chapel Hill had 195 yards rushing and 62 passing in the game.

Bullard accounted for more than 300 total yards. Clark completed five of 10 passes for 155 yards, one touchdown, one interception. Top receiver was Willborn with four grabs for 84 yards and one score.

Top rushers for the Panthers were Clark with 14 carries for 65 yards, Geoff Dick added 44 yards on nine totes.

Running back DeQuan Granbury joined Clark on the injured list from the game. Granbury also suffered concussion.

"We bumped and banged up," Sharp said. "We are unsure of who will be able to play in our next game. But we will get everyone ready and do our best. I am not one to make excuses, it all is all part of high school football."

Bullard will host Brownsboro at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Panther Stadium.

Sharp added, "We have to win our next two games. We are undefeated this year at home, I feel good about our chances. The district race is still wide open and we are a part of it."