In a game closer than the score would indicate, the Goldthwaite Eagles beat the San Saba Armadillos 27-7 last Friday night in Goldthwaite. San Saba moved the ball well but had difficulty scoring throughout the game. The weather had little effect on the game.

Goldthwaite won the toss and wanted the football. The Dillo defense rose up and stopped the Eagles forcing a punt.

The Armadillos drove from their own 37 to the Goldthwaite 15 before a bad pitchout was recovered by the Eagles at the 20.

The Eagles started doing what they are excellent at, controlling the clock, using 6:06 before punting. San Saba took over at the 23 after the punt. This drive stalled on a 4th down play at the Goldthwaite 34.

Goldthwaite used 4:35 before scoring on a pass from Tyler Horton to James Harden from 8 yards away. Luis Arredondo converted the PAT and the Eagles led 7-0 with 4:22 left in the first half.

San Saba drove the ball to the Eagle 17 where they failed again on a 4th down play. Goldthwaite got to the 32 when Harden caught a short pass in the middle and broke several tackles for a 68-yard touchdown as the half ended. The PAT made it 14-0 Eagles.

San Saba started the second half with the ball but soon punted. Goldthwaite started at the 47 and used 8:23 of the clock before trying a 40 yard field goal. The kick was blocked and San Saba took over at the 8.

The Dillos had to punt again but Diego Gonzalez had his foot slip just as he was kicking the ball and it only traveled 13 yards.

Starting at their 34, the Eagles used another 5:03 to score their third touchdown. Jonathan Williams scored on a 10-yard run and the PAT made it 21-0 midway through the final period.

San Saba continued to drive the ball well, getting down to the Eagle 2 yard line before a fumble gave the ball back to Goldthwaite.

On the second play, Williams got outside and raced 98 yards for the score. The PAT was wide right and the lead was 27-0 with only 1:48 left.

The Armadillos were able to get on the scoreboard as time expired when Chase Key caught a 21-yard pass from Ryan Pannell. Some Eagle fans thought the ball had been trapped but the officials called it a catch. Diego Gonzalez made the PAT and the final score was 27-7 Eagles.

San Saba had over 300 yards of offense in the game. Ryan Pannell led the team in rushing with 64 yards. Gary Gant had 39 yards before being hurt in the 4th quarter. Chase Key led the receiving corps with 5 catches for 92 yards and the touchdown. Isaac Jimenez added 3 receptions for 50 yards. Pannell completed 13 of 27 for 196 yards passing.

It was team effort by the defense with no one individual standing out. The Eagles did have 396 yards but 166 of those came on the 2 big plays. Making plays for San Saba were Tyler McIntosh, David Smith, Pete Torres, Gant, Key, Jack Whitten, Diego Gonzalez, Hector Jimenez, Tucker Cromer, Pannell and Ryan Parks.

In other district action, Brady, Comanche and Bangs stayed undefeated while Early, Coleman and Dublin remained winless. The Lions have yet to score this year.

This week has the Dillos playing the Eagles again. These Eagles are in Johnson City. Kickoff is set for 7:30 in Johnson City.