Green’s 4 TDs lead Bulldogs over Cardinals
Heights was helpless a year ago.
It finished with negative rushing yards and no offensive touchdowns in a low-scoring setback against Bellaire.
This time around, the Bulldogs unleashed University of Texas commit Jalen Green.
The versatile four-star player rushed for three touchdowns from the quarterback position in the first half Friday, propelling Heights to a 31-12 victory against Bellaire in District 18-6A action at Delmar Stadium.
“Last year, they beat us on their homecoming, and we took it personal,” Green said. “So we wanted to get revenge.”
The wins keep coming
The win kept the talented Bulldogs (4-0, 2-0) — 4-7 a year ago after Langham Creek clobbered them in the bi-district playoffs — on course for a potential district title showdown with Lamar in two weeks.
“This win means a lot to us,” said coach Stephen Dixon, who received an ice water bath afterward to prove it.
“It’s monumental for our program, and where we’re trying to go, to get into that situation where maybe we can overtake Lamar this year.”
Bellaire dropped to 2-2, 1-1.
Last year, Heights’ only score came on a fumble return, and it had minus-5 yards on 29 rushes in a 1411 loss.
Green had more than that on his first direct snap — a 26-yard scoring run.
He finished with 92 yards on 10 rushes, and he hauled in a 33-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Mark Castro in the fourth.
“He’s a jack of all trades,” Dixon said. “He can play wide receiver, running back, cornerback, free safety — and if we needed him to play offensive or defensive line, he could probably do that, too.”
But Bellaire answered as both teams scored on their opening drive, with running back John Busby (16-94 rushing) breaking a 38-yard run, then finishing with a 5-yard touchdown run for a 7-6 lead three minutes in.
Heights missed the extra point after its first score.
The two teams stayed in sync through the first six series, matching each other step for step.
Then the Bulldogs scored — and the Cardinalss couldn’t match. Heights took an 18-7 lead into halftime.
Stifling defensive effort
Green’s second touchdown was on a 21-yard run, then he scored from 2 yards out after a 96-yard interception return by Erick Hubert.
Hubert didn’t see the end zone on that long return – but he did on the next one.
After Bellaire punted to start the third quarter, Hubert took it back 82 yards for a touchdown and 24-7 advantage.
The senior safety added a second pick on a leaping grab in the fourth.
That play came on the series after Green’s 33-yard scoring reception for a 3110 lead with 11:50 left in the game.
Heights’ third interception, by Xavion Solomon, sealed the win.
The Bulldogs finished with 285 total yards, including 201 on 35 rushes.
Bellaire totaled 346 yards and 19 first downs but also had three turnovers, while Heights didn’t commit any.
“Last year, we struggled because we were all new,” Green said. “But this year, we’ve built relationships and we can ball out together.”