The win keeps Bartlett (4-2 overall, 1-1 in 26-A) in the thick of the hunt for a playoff spot, while the Hornets (2-5, 0-2) are in danger of falling out of contention.
It's an old sports cliché, but the game actually was closer than the score indicates. Holland's offense moved the ball against the Bulldogs' defense, collecting 19 first downs, 132 yards rushing and 157 yards passing. Chance Brantner was the workhorse on the ground, churning out 102 yards on 24 carries. Gabriel Camacho caught eight passes - from three quarterbacks - for 145 yards.
But the Bartlett D was able to stop the Hornets almost every time they threatened to score. Walker had a monster game at linebacker, making tackles all over the field. Kogan Ewing was just as ferocious at defensive end, making several tackles for losses and blocking a punt to set up a touchdown.
Other strong contributors on defense for the Bulldogs were Daniel Juarez, Perez and Gadison, who set up another TD with an interception.
Meanwhile, Bartlett's offense exploded for several big plays in racking up 14 first downs, 313 yards rushing and 407 yards total offense. Walker gained 151 yards on nine carries behind the outstanding blocking of Anthony Juarez, Will Hightower, Martin Ramirez, Colby Ortiz and Ewing. Gadison carried 11 times for 115 yards and completed four of five passes for 94 yards. Perez was his favorite target, catching three passes for 75 yards.
Walker scored on the Bulldogs' first play on offense, taking a toss around right end for a 65-yard touchdown jaunt. He also ran in the two-point conversion, giving Bartlett an 8-0 advantage with 9:05 left in the first quarter.
Holland responded with a lengthy drive, moving from its 36 to the Bartlett 12 in nine plays, but eventually had to give the ball over on downs.
After Gadison gained 28 yards on two carries, Walker took another toss and headed around right end, where he was met by a swarm of Hornets. He put on the brakes, slashed back to the left, then outran four more defenders to the end zone. Perez ran in the two-point conversion, giving the Bulldogs a 16-0 lead with 5:20 remaining in the first period.
Bartlett's next possession resulted in an eight-play, 84-yard scoring drive. Perez did the honors on the touchdown, carrying a toss 5 yards around right end. Gadison connected with Antwane Gibson on the two-point conversion, making the score 24-0 with 9:11 left in the second quarter.
Later in the period the teams exchanged turnovers. First Nick Sowers recovered a Bulldog fumble at the Bartlett 34. But Holland couldn't cash it in because on the next play Gadison intercepted a pass at the Bartlett 20 and returned it to the Bulldog 41.
On the next play, Gadison kept the ball and started to the left, then cut back and broke loose for a 59-yard TD run. Leonard Hinojosa ran in the two-point conversion to make it 32-0 5:52 before halftime.
Ewing's punt block came at the end of the Hornets' next possession, with Bartlett taking over at the Holland 6. Four plays later Gadison scored on a run up the middle, then he ran in the two-point conversion to give the Bulldogs a 40-0 lead with 1:08 left in the half.
In the third quarter Bartlett scored on touchdown passes of 9 and 49 yards from Gadison to Perez.
Holland got on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter on Branter's 1-yard touchdown run and a 15-yard pass from Ely Strond to Camacho.
After Camacho's TD, Perez returned the ensuing kickoff 65 yards for the game's final touchdown.
rray@temple-telegram.com
