SPLIT UP
JV finishes with win; varsity falls to Canton
By Kelly Griffith news@bullardnews.com

-- Bullard Banner photo by Kelly Griffith Chad Hollie stares down the Canton Eagle just before the clock starts once again.

The Bullard junior varsity Panthers saved their best for last as they finished off their season with a 22-14 win over the Canton Eagles.

The victory is the first for the team this season.

Scoring was started by the defense with a safety by Rey Torres and a host of Panther defenders.

Phillip Rieger scored the first touchdown with a 2 yard run, point after no good, to make the score 8-0.

The next scoring can from Dejuan Shelton on a 47 yard run in the third quarter and the point after also failed, giving Bullard a lead of 14-0.

The Eagles managed to score in the closing minutes of the third quarter, making the score 14-6 at the start of the fourth.

Dejuan Shelton scored with a interception return of 38 yards and Dakota Robinson adding the two-point conversion to bring the score 22-6 with about 5 minutes left in the game.

Canton did score late in the game but it was too little to late.

Outstanding offensive players for the Panthers were Phillip Rieger, Dakota Robinson, Dejuan Shelton. Defensive leaders for the Panthers were Shaquille Marable, Rey Torres, Preston Seaton-Knox, Sean Tadlock, Dejuan Shelton, Dalton Simonek.

The varsity took the field Friday night, honoring their seniors and the late Bullard athlete, Larry James Prentice, Jr. before the final game of the Panthers season.

Panthers won the toss and began the game with a touchdown and extra point by quarterback Charlie Moore.

Canton then scored two in a row to give them a seven point lead over the Panthers.

But Moore quickly evened the score bringing the teams to 14-14.

During the hard fought game the score teetered back and forth as each team desperately wanted the win.

In the final seconds Canton pulled ahead to win 30- 28 and left Bullard to end its season with a 6-4 record overall and 2-3 in district.