Homecoming for the San Saba Armadillos proved to be an exciting game. Unfortunately for the Dillos, the visiting Lago Vista Vikings spoiled it with a 34-16 win. The game saw several big plays from both teams as neither side could muster a consistent ground game and had to pass.

San Saba won the toss and deferred. Lago Vista received the kick but could not gain yardage. On the punt, the snap went over the punter’s head and he fell on the ball at the Viking 15.

San Saba could only gain 6 yards and Rodney Ortiz came on to attempt a 26-yard field goal. The kick was good and San Saba had the early 3-0 lead.

On the ensuing kickoff, Luke Cox saved a touchdown by tackling the returner at the Armadillo 38. The drive ended when Tanner Weyerts pounced on a loose ball at the San Saba 16.

San Saba failed to move the ball and Russell Lowe got off a punt that was brought back to the Dillo 25. Penalties hurt the Vikings as they turned the ball over on downs at the 28 of San Saba.

On the next drive, Ryan Pannell under threw a receiver and Viking Dylan Haines picked it off for a 42-yard interception and touchdown. Haines added the PAT and Lago Vista led 7-3. The Vikings tried an onside kick and almost recovered it but San Saba managed to get control of the ball at the Dillo 28.

San Saba had to punt again. The ball rolled into the end zone for a touchback but a penalty on the Armadillos spotted the ball at the 30. The defense held forcing a Viking punt. The punt was downed at the San Saba 6 yard line after a 59-yard kick.

On third down, Luke Cox got a step behind the Viking defender and Ryan Pannell hit him in stride for a 94-yard pass and run for the score. It was the 2

Lago Vista came back quickly. Garrett Swann got a pass just beyond the Dillo defender and Dylan Haines caught it for a 71-yard score. The Vikings tried the "Swinging Gate" play but San Saba stopped it leaving the score 13-10.

The teams traded punts and San Saba got one more opportunity before halftime, but Pannell was intercepted near the Viking goal line and Lago Vista ran out the clock.

During the halftime, Erin Edmondson was named Homecoming queen and driving the escort car was Mr. George Dennis. It was announced that Mr. Dennis has been teaching at San Saba for 49 years and three generations of students.

San Saba got the ball to start the second half. The Dillos soon punted and the Vikings started at the 46. Lago Vista used 9 running plays to score as Shyheim Buford went over from 1 yard away. Dylan Haines converted the PAT and the lead was 20-10.

The teams traded punts again and Lago Vista got the ball at the Viking 11 with 0:46 left in the third period.

The Vikings ran 10 plays, including a 50-yard pass to Haines, allowing Seth Lozano to score on a 7-yard run. The PAT made the score 27-10 in favor of the Vikings.

San Saba went to the air on the next drive. Three passes from Ryan Pannell to Isaac Jimenez and one to Clayton Perry set up a 1-yard plunge by Zack Davis. The PAT was partially blocked leaving the score 27-16.

San Saba tried an onside kick but the Vikings fell on the ball before it could travel 10 yards and took over at the San Saba 47.

Dylan Haines scored from 20 yards to finish the short drive. Haines added the PAT for the 34-16 score.

San Saba had one more chance to score. A 38-yard pass to Perry put the ball deep in Viking territory but the Armadillos turned the ball over on downs. Lago Vista ran off the final 37 seconds of the game.

Neither team could gain much on the ground against the opposing defense, but Lago Vista had 171 yards passing with San Saba totaling 210 yards. It was the first time in 4 years that the Armadillos threw for more than 200 yards in a game.

Zack Davis led the running game with 97 yards on 20 carries, however the team only totaled 87 yards. Pannell ended the game with 9-17 passing for 210 yards and a score with 2 interceptions. Luke Cox had the one catch for 94 yards and the score, Clayton Perry and Isaac Jimenez had 4 catches each. Perry gained 68 yards and Jimenez had 48 yards.

In other games, Ballinger got their first win of the season by beating Brady in district openers, Goldthwaite beat Mart in a 2010 championship game rematch, Wall opened its district play with a win over Crane. Hamilton fell to undefeated Cisco to open its district play. Harper got past Johnson City, Sonora beat Blanco in a close game, Coleman lost to 1A power Albany, Ozona and Junction recorded wins.

This week is the open week for most of the district. Harper and Ozona are the only teams that play. Next week will be the season-to-date totals for San Saba as they prepare for Harper on October 8 and the opening of District 13 play.

nd longest pass in school history. In 1992, Jason Tilson connected with James McNeeley for 95 yards on a fake punt. Rodney Ortiz made the PAT and the lead 10-7.