The San Saba 8th Grade Dillos escaped with an exciting 36-32 victory over the 8th Grade Junction Eagles at Rogan Field last Thursday night. It was a tale of two halves as San Saba dominated the first half and Junction dominated the second half. The Dillos had to come from behind with 59 seconds left to win.

Junction kicked to San Saba to start the game. Kelan Verette raced 70 yards on the return to the Junction 10 yard line. Jordan Watson ran for 5 yards. Watson got the call again for 5 more yards and a Dillo Score. Cosme Diaz ran in the PAT, 8-0 Dillos. Good blocking by Dallas Caldwell, Daniel Calderon, Cameron Rossi, Wesley Gates, Brandon Amstead, Kristian McCoury, Brian Rogers, and Dylan Rosales opened gaps in the Eagle defense. San Saba kicked to Junction. The Eagles fumbled the kick-off which was recovered by Ruben Aguirre. Kelan Verette ran for 10 yards. Dallas Caldwell added 12. Kelan Verette boot legged the ball on a 25 yard touchdown run. The PAT failed, 14-0 Dillos. San Saba kicked to Junction. The Eagles fumbled again and Ashton Krueger fell on the ball for the Dillos. A Dillo pass went incomplete. Cosme Diaz ran for 5 yards. Another pass went incomplete. Verette ran for 5, Jordan Watson ran for 7, then 2 for a touchdown. Watson's run for the PAT was good, 22-0 Dillos. San Saba kicked to Junction. The Eagles ran 2 plays and scored. The PAT was good, 22-8 Dillos. Junction kicked to San Saba. Jordan Watson returned the ball 15 yards. Watson ran for 5 and 2 yards before the quarter changed.

The second quarter found San Saba on the move. Watson ran for 10 yards. Calderon's run of 17 yards was halted by a holding call. A pass from Verette to Calderon gained 8. Watson ran for 5, Caldwell for 4, Watson 8, Verette 4 then 1 on two quarterback sacks. Watson gained 2, Verette was sacked for a loss. A pass from Verette to Cosme Diaz gained 17 yards and a first down. A pass from Verette to Cosme Diaz gained 17 yards and a first down. Jordan Watson gained 5. Watson scored on the next play for 5 yards out. The PAT failed, 28-8 Dillos. San Saba kicked to Junction. The Dillo defense stopped Junction on good plays by Kolton Ellis, Brian Rogers, Kristian McCoury, Ismael Ramirez, J.T. Hibler, Ashton Krueger, and Dallas Caldwell. Junction punted and San Saba ran out the clock to half.

San Saba kicked to Junction to start the second half. Kelan Verette and T.J. Hibler had good tackles. Junction kicked to San Saba. The Dillos fumbled the kick and Junction took over. Kelan Verette had a big hit on this series, but Junction drove the ball and scored from 20 yards out. The PAT was good 28-24 Dillos. Junction kicked to San Saba as the 3rd quarter came to an end.

San Saba ran 3 plays and punted. Junction began its final drive. A facemask penalty helped them. The Eagles scored from 5 yards out. The PAT was good and Junction took the lead 32-25 with 2:45 left in the game. Junction kicked to San Saba. Jordan Watson had a 15 yard return. Watson ran for 5, Verette added 5 more. A pass went incomplete. Cosme Diaz ran for 15. 3 passes fell incomplete on 4th down, with the game on the line. Kelan Verette found Cosme Diaz open on a pass play. Diaz broke 2 tackles en route to a 45 yard touchdown. The PAT run by Watson was good, 36-28 Dillos, with 59 seconds left. San Saba kicked to Junction. The Eagles tried a pass that was incomplete. The Dillo defense came up big as T.J. Hibler intercepted an Eagle pass and the Dillo offense knelt the ball for victory. Dillos in action that aided the comeback were Cameron Rossi, Dustin Sloan, Gunnar Hibler, and Jerry Davila.

San Saba travels to Comanche Thursday night.