The San Saba Armadillos had their season come to an end last Friday night at Hawk Stadium in Pflugerville. The Schulenburg Shorthorns defeated the Armadillos 24-16. San Saba ended the season with a 6-6 record and a good outlook for next year.

Schulenburg won the toss and deferred. San Saba received the opening kick and started at the 20 yard line. Using sweeps and outside running plays, the Dillos drove 80 yards in 16 plays. Quarterback Ryan Pannell scored on 4

Gonzalez kicked off to the Shorthorns. The kick was muffed before being returned to the 22. Mixing running and passing, Schulenburg used 7 plays to get the tying score. Brandon Strickland raced 18 yards for the tally. Kyle Bludau tied the game with his PAT at 7-7.

San Saba had to start the next drive from the 11 after a penalty wiped out a nice return. Max Palacio came on to punt when the Dillos stalled. The punt traveled 57 yards with a nice roll to the Horn 13 yard line.

A pass from Bludau to Jacob Langhamer was fumbled and Zack Davis fell on the ball for the Armadillos at the 28 yard line.

Ryan Pannell fumbled a pitch out and Schulenburg recovered on the next play at the Horn 30.

Schulenburg scored on the next play when Bludau found a wide-open Nolan Besetzny for a 70-yard score. Bludau kicked the PAT and the Horns led 14-7.

A good return put the Armadillos at the 42 yard line. The drive ended when a pass from Jack Whitten on a fake punt was dropped.

Schulenburg moved the ball until Luke Cox intercepted a Kyle Bludau pass and returned it 49 yards to the Horn 22.

San Saba had to settle for a 42-yard field goal by Diego Gonzalez cutting the lead to 14-10. The following kickoff sailed 8 yards into the end zone for a touchback.

The Horns drove to the Dillo 28 before Bludau kicked a 45-yard field goal that barely got to the crossbar. That made the score 17-10 with 37 seconds left in the half. San Saba took a knee to end the half.

The Shorthorns started the second half with the ball. The Gonzalez kick went 2 yards into the end zone and was brought out to the 16. Kyle Bludau used his legs to move Schulenburg down the field. Bludau scored on a 43-yard run that just made it to the line. He kicked the PAT and the Horns led 24-10.

San Saba started their first drive of the half at the 21 yard line. The Dillos moved to the Horn 19 before stalling. Diego Gonzalez was called on to kick the field goal. The kick was good from 36 yards to make the score 24-13.

Gonzalez kicked the ball into the end zone for the touchback. The Horns went down the field and looked in position to score until Ryan Pannell intercepted a pass and returned it to the Dillo 47.

San Saba got to the Schulenburg 10 before Gonzalez was called on for the field goal. The kick went wide to the right and was no good. Schulenburg started at the 20 but had to punt.

San Saba turned the ball over on downs deep in Dillo territory. On the next play, Kyle Bludau tried to pitch out but the ball went behind the runner and was finally recovered by the Dillos at the San Saba 37.

San Saba stayed in touch on the scoreboard when Diego Gonzalez kicked a 25-yard field goal to finish the drive. The score stood at 24-16 in favor of the Shorthorns.

The Armadillos attempted an onside kick in an effort to get the ball back with 2:42 left in the game. The ball was recovered by San Saba at the Horn 48 giving the Dillos a chance to tie the game.

On the first play, Ryan Pannell tried a long pass but it was intercepted by Nolan Besetzny. Schulenburg was able to run out the clock for the 24-16 hard-fought win.

The 6-6 season marked the first time since 1994 that the Armadillos had consecutive season of .500 or better. Gary Gant led the team with 87 yards rushing on 13 carries. Jack Whitten added 54 yards on 17 carries. Luke Cox had 3 catches for 40 yards to lead the receivers.

Playing in their final game for the Armadillos were Gary Gant, Tucker Cromer, Jack Whitten, Miguel Flores, Jason Wells, Max Palacio, Cody Herd and Diego Gonzalez. All will be missed because of their leadership although only 2 started on offense and 4 on defense. This bodes well for next year.