Nederland Bulldog head coach Larry Neumann said he knew Friday night’s game with Ozen would define his team’s 2007 season.

Coming off their second half let down and 28-16 loss to rival Port Neches-Groves last week, the Bulldogs made quite a statement at Cardinal Stadium Friday night, outscoring the Panthers 21-0 in the second half enroute to a 31-14 victory in District 22-4A action.

Nederland’s aerial assault and second half defense was just too much for the Panthers.

Sophomore sensation Kirby Bellow was 9-of-15 with 113 yards and two touchdowns in the second half. He was 20-of-38 for 256 yards and three touchdowns, with an interception, for the game.

Bellow’s favorite target was District 22-4A receiving leader Asa Cardenas, who caught 10 passes for 127 yards and made one exceptional grab in the corner of the endzone to give Bellow his third touchdown pass and Nederland a 24-14 lead.

That score put the nail in the coffin for Ozen, who owned a 14-10 lead at the half, with great thanks to its running game.

The Panthers ripped off 109 yards on the ground in the first half, picking up nine first downs.

The Panthers first drive featured a steady dose of Lorenzo Patterson, who finished the night with 134 yards on 21 carries. Patterson helped Ozen down the field and set up a 6-yard play-action connection between quarterback Corey Lewis to Willie Jefferson.

That score gave the Panthers a 7-3 lead.

Ozen took a 14-3 lead in the second quarter when Patterson punched in a 7-yard run, breaking several tackles along the way.

The Dogs answered those tackling problems in the second half, allowing just two first downs and keeping the Panthers to just 78 total yards.

Neumann said there weren’t many changes to the defense at half-time.

“We missed some tackles in the first half. We into to the locker room and just told them to start tackling better,” Neumann said. “Wareall Grogan played tremendous for us in the fourth quarter. The whole defense really stepped it up.

“Grogan made some really important tackles for us. He is one of those guys whose motor is always running, he never quits on any play. He may make a mistake, let a man around him but then the next thing you know, he’s back on the pursuit, making the tackle.”

Neumann said the win was very important for the team as far as momentum goes.

“We talked about it earlier in the week. We knew how we came out here, how we played tonight — that it would define the rest of our season. To lose against a rival like we did, we had to have this kind of week, this kind of game.

“We have faced a ton of adversity this year and I think tonight, our kids answered a great challenge. They worked hard all week. I was really happy with the way they prepared for this game.”

The Bulldogs closed Ozen’s 14-3 lead to 14-10 when Bellow slung a bullet into the hands of Ryan Brady for a 32-yard touchdown play.

Brady had two catches for 58 yards.

Ozen got the ball to start the second half but Nederland held the Panthers to a wild, three-and-out that included three punts and a number of penalties.

Ozen was plagued with penalties all night, piling up 100 yards on 12 violations.

After all was settled, Nederland took over at its own 23-yard line and from there the Dogs marched down the field on six plays, ending with a 15-yard pass from Bellow to Adam Broussard, who caught six passes for 57 yards.

That score made it 17-14 and put the Dogs up for good.

Nederland tacked on a touchdown late when Bryce Breaux ran in a 4-yard score that gave his team a 31-14 lead.

Taylor Trahan gave the Bulldogs an early 3-0 advantage when he finished off Nederland’s opening drive with a 34-yard field goal.

With the win, the Bulldogs are now 6-1 overall and 3-1 in district play. The Panthers fall to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in district.

Bellow now has 15 touchdown passes for the year. Cardenas now has 11 touchdown receptions on the year.

Neumann said both players continue to impress him.

“He (Bellow) has great control of the game,” Neumann said. “He understands the game and has great awareness. He sees the field well and always gets everyone lined up where they need to be. He has a calmness and the savvy about him that makes you think of Dustin Hood.”

About Cardenas, Neumann said he is simply a ball magnet.