The Mart Panthers, our #2 2A team in Texas, hosted the Marlin Bulldogs. It was a one-sided game as the Panthers move to 2-0 and the Bulldogs drop to 0-2. 
The game was supposed to take place on Friday, September 2nd, but due to the severe referee shortage affecting Texas high school football, the game was moved to Thursday.
To start the game, Mart QB Jonah Ross broke free for a 59-yard touchdown run. A few minutes later, it was JD Bell for Mart with a 30-yard touchdown run. Then a few minutes later, Ross hit Brandon Lundy for a 33-yard touchdown. 
The Panthers scored on their first three drives. Bell added another touchdown run in the second, and Armando Chavez connected on a 35 and 40-yard field goal. Mart took a 31-0 lead at halftime. The Marlin Bulldogs were only able to manage 16 first-half yards against the stout Mart defense.
Marlin switched to Trajon Butler at QB in the second half, replacing Desmond Woodson. Butler scored the only TD for the Bulldogs, a 2-yard touchdown run after a 46-yard punt return to start the drive also by Butler.
Mart plays Italy at home next week before traveling to Centerville on the 16th. They look like a favorite to make it to the 2A DII State Championship. Marlin will look to rebound next week at Groesbeck, a 3A DI team that won week 1, 41-0 over Caldwell.
photos by Pat Carrigan from First Down Photos
CLICK HERE to listen to the Texas HS Football Podcast, with Taylor Arenz
