Badger Jacob Beltran intercepts a Cowboy pass The Bishop Badger varsity football team opened district play with a 34-14 victory over the Premont Cowboys this past Friday night in Bishop.

The Cowboys won the coin toss and elected to receive the kick off to start the contest.

The Badger defense quickly picked up a Premont turnover with a pass interception by sophomore safety Jacob Beltran at the Badger 49 yard line.

It took the Badger offense 1:16 to put points on the board, going 51 yards on three plays, eventually scoring on an eight yard touchdown run by senior fullback Zack Lowman.

Senior kicker Tommy Cavazos tacked on the extra point, Badgers take the early lead 7-0 with 8:25 remaining in the first quarter.

The Bishop defense once again held the Cowboys in check, taking over on downs at the Badger 38 yard line on an unsuccessful fourth down conversion attempt by Premont.

The first quarter ended with the Badgers facing a 2nd and 24 at the Cowboy 27 yard line.

On the first play of the second quarter, Beltran ran 27 yards for the Badgers second score of the night.

Cavazos added the extra point; extended the Bishop lead 14-0 with 11:52 left in the second quarter.

The Badger defense continued to control the Cowboy offense through the second quarter.

Sophomore safety Travis Charles foiled a punt attempt by Premont with a tackle for a loss on the Cowboy punter at the Premont 39 yard line.

Facing 4th and 1 at the Cowboy 30, Lowman broke free for a Badger touchdown with 44 seconds remaining in the first half.

Cavazos tacked on a successful extra point attempt; Badgers led 21-0 with less than a minute remaining in the half.

The Cowboys were able to reach the Badger 38 yard line before Beltran recovered a Premont fumble to stop the Premont offense.

Content with the 21-point advantage, the Badgers let the clock run down to end the first half.

After a great halftime show by both bands, the Badgers continue to dominate defensively.

Senior safety J.P. Escobar picked off a Cowboy pass attempt to give the Badger offense excellent field position.

The Badgers went 53 yards on five plays with the eventual nine-yard touchdown run by senior running back David Herrera.

The extra point attempt sailed wide left; Bishop led 27-0 with 7:48 left in the third quarter.

The Cowboys finally were able to sustain a drive, moving the ball 58 yards on six plays.

Facing a 2nd and goal at the Bishop one, the Cowboy running back bulled his way into the end zone for Premont’s first score of the night.

Premont successfully converted the two-point conversion attempt; Cowboys cut into Badger lead 27-8 with 11:05 left on the clock.

The Badger offense started their next offensive possession in Premont territory at the Cowboy 38 yard line.

It took the Badgers only one play as Beltran scampered his way into the end zone for a 38-yard touchdown run.

The extra point attempt by Cavazos split the uprights, giving the Badgers a 34-8 lead with 10:46 remaining in the game.

With 4:20 on the clock, the Cowboys running back broke free for a 50-yard touchdown run.

Premont failed to convert the two-point attempt; Bishop lead cut to 34-14.

The Badgers ran out the clock and collected the 34- 14 victory over the Premont Cowboys for a 1-0 district start.

“Tonight we came out and played like I knew we could,” Bishop Badger Head Coach Larry Vincent said after the game.

The Badgers will travel to face the Hebbronville Longhorns at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 16 in Hebbronville.