Bulldogs bark and bite, top Cowboys in 39-18 win

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COTULLA COWBOYS FOOTBALL

Cotulla wide receiver Thallan Olivarri eludes a Bandera defender and prepares to stiff arm another during action last Friday. (CURRENT photo: Amanda Brown-Snowden)

Despite a slew of early season injuries, Cotulla Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Marcus Booker took sole blame for the Cowboys’ lackluster 39-18 loss to Bandera last Friday at Meyers Memorial Stadium.
Having lost key players in each of the last three contests, Booker still guided the team to a win over Corpus Christi West Oso in their opener but feels the team suffered through a bit of a letdown this week.
“Injuries really did not help, but this week was my fault,” the coach said of the Bandera loss. “I did not have my team mentally ready to play. I take all the blame, after a big win like we had, I needed to be harder on my kids.”
Booker said that preparation both mentally and physically was absent from his squad and that the Bulldogs came in and simply outworked his Cowboys.
“I just didn’t have the kids mentally or physically ready to play,” he said. “But I won’t make that mistake again, I promise you, we will be ready to play next week in Dilley.
“I have great kids that just don’t know how to prepare for the games but we will get better. I am sorry that I didn’t have them better prepared for the game.”
Despite his disappointment in his team’s lack of focus, Booker said that his squad had its shots in the contest. Cotulla trailed 14-6 at the half.
“Thallon Olivarri had a great game and Jesse played well defensively,” he noted. “We had our chances, we played a terrible first half but were down only one score at 14-6.
“They just came out in the second half and their kids just played harder than us and wanted that game more. That is the first time I have ever been in Cotulla and a team just played harder than us, so that’s on me, but it’s early and hopefully with no more injuries, we can play better.”
The coach also said that his kids broke one of the fundamental rules of football going into the contest.
“I don’t think my kids gave them enough respect and when you don’t respect your opponent in football, it will bite you in the tail.”
A lack of motivation won’t be an issue this week as the team will be looking to respond after its effort against Bandera and as the team travels to Dilley for its annual rivalry contest with the Wolves. Both teams are always amped for the contest and bragging rights in the IH-35 clash of neighboring schools. Dilley took a 9-6 decision a year ago over the Cowboys and are also looking for their first win this season as they currently sit at 0-2. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m. at Gosch Field.