After opening the season 4-0, including winning their first two district games, the Magnolia Bulldogs looked to be on autopilot and heading for an easy playoff berth.

But the Bulldogs suddenly dropped two in a row to Willis and Montgomery, putting their playoff hopes in peril with a 1-2 district record.

Magnolia found the right opponent at the right time Oct. 16 in a winless Caney Creek Panther team that has struggled mightily for much of the season, and the Bulldogs certainly took advantage with a resounding 42-7 shellacking of the Panthers.

The Bulldogs wracked up 407 total yards of offense, including 100-plus yards rushing by both Dennis Dunbar and Jordan Schuetz. Chance David also added 63 yards on the ground on seven carries.

The first half remained relatively competitive, with the Bulldogs holding just a 14-0 lead at halftime after first half touchdowns by Schuetz and Dunbar, the latter coming on a 60-yard pass from Schuetz.

But it was the third quarter when things turned ugly for the Panthers. First, Dunbar scored on a one-yard run with 10:32 left in the quarter to make it 21-0 Magnolia. Then Chase Gregert scored on an eight-yard jaunt and David found the end zone on a 37-yard scamper to keep the blowout going at 35-0.

Dunbar added another touchdown in the fourth to put the Bulldogs up 42-0. The Panthers finally got on the board with a little over a minute left in the game when Mickey Lane ran it in from five yards out.

While the Bulldog offense was on full display against the Panthers, the Magnolia defense was just as impressive, holding Caney Creek to just 211 total yards of offense and forcing four turnovers.

Now at 2-2 in district, the Bulldogs sat at press time last week in a four-way logjam for third place in the district. The top four teams in the district advance to the playoffs.

The Bulldogs took on Huntsville Oct. 23, but results of that game were unavailable at press time.

Magnolia next plays Oct. 30 when they travel to take on district-leading Brenham at 7:30 p.m. The Bulldogs will close out the 2009 regular season against cross-town rival Magnolia West Nov. 6 at Magnolia High School.