The San Saba Armadillos lost a hard hitting defensive game to the Thorndale Bulldogs last Friday night at historic Rogan Field. The defenses combined for 14 turnovers during the game. The Bulldogs lost 6 fumbles and 2 interceptions while the Armadillos lost 3 fumbles and 3 interceptions.Thorndale won the toss and deferred to the second half. Sean Argote tried to field the kickoff but the ball got passed him and into the end zone. Argote picked the ball up and started to run it out. He was tackled at the 2 yard line. Two plays later, the Bulldogs had a safety when the Dillos failed to get out of the end zone.Rodney Ortiz kicked the ball to Thorndale from the 20. The kick was fielded at the Bulldog 20 and returned to the 42. Penalties pushed the ball back to the 16 yard line where Thorndale had to punt. San Saba took over at the 42 after the kick.A 41-yard run by Sean Argote put the Dillos inside the 5 yard line. San Saba was unable to punch it across and settled for a 22-yard field goal by Ortiz giving the Armadillos a lead of 3-2.A penalty on the kickoff forced the Bulldogs to start at the Thorndale 9 yard line. The drive ended when San Saba forced a fumble at the Dillo 21. Thorndale quickly got the ball back when they recovered a fumble at the Armadillo 35.The next play saw another fumble that was recovered by Aaron Perez at the Armadillo 6. Rodney Ortiz punted the ball after San Saba was unable to gain a first down.Starting with good field position at the Dillo 36, the Bulldogs looked to add points on the scoreboard. Kelan Verette had other ideas when he intercepted a pass from Riley Schaefer. The first play of the second quarter saw Thorndale get the ball back on an interception by Jake Miller. Miller returned the ball to the Armadillo 30. The Bulldogs were able to score on this possession. Darius Brooks scored on a 2-yard plunge. Gabriel Salinas added the PAT and Thorndale led 9-3 with 10:20 left in the second period.The Armadillos moved the ball down the field again. This drive ended when Jordon Hafley picked off a Jarrett Mathis pass and returned it to the San Saba 39.Nathan Amstead got the ball back for San Saba on a fumble recovery at the Dillo 19. The teams traded punts on their next possessions. San Saba started at the 22 with 1:31 left in the half and tried to score before the half. Thorndale stopped the attempt with 19 seconds left on the 3rd interception thrown by Mathis. This time Seth Barker got the honors. Thorndale ran out the half knowing they got the ball to start the second half.During the halftime festivities, Alexa Maxcey was crowned Homecoming queen. Congratulations to Alexa.The second half started much like the first half was. Thorndale moved the ball but was stopped when Jordan Watson fell on a fumble at the Armadillo 21.San Saba moved the ball but was stymied at the Bulldog 39 where Thorndale took over on downs.The Bulldog possession ended soon when Kolton Ellis got in on the act by recovering a fumble at the Bulldog 47.On second down, Ellis broke free and was tackled inside the 5 yard line. Once again, the Dillos were unable to punch it in. Rodney Ortiz booted a 28-yard field goal to make the score 9-6 in favor of the Bulldogs.Thorndale started at the 19 yard line on their next drive. Kelan Verette ended it with his 2nd interception of the game at the Bulldog 41.San Saba soon fumbled the ball back to Thorndale at the 35. The Bulldogs moved the ball but had to punt. The kick went into the end zone for a touchback giving the ball to San Saba at the 20.The Armadillos fumbled on the next play, but Kolton Ellis got the ball back with his 2nd fumble recovery of the game two plays later.San Saba was forced to punt without gaining a first down, but the Dillo defense returned the favor by forcing the Bulldogs to punt. San Saba started at the Dillo 15 but turned it over on downs at the 31. Thorndale ran out the clock for the 9-6 victory.The loss puts the overall record for San Saba at 2-4 going into district play.Sean Argote led the rushing game with 110 yards on 24 carries. Kolton Ellis added 48 yards on 2 rushes. Jarrett Mathis gained 30 yards and Kelan Verette added 11 yards. Verette was seeing his first action on offense in 4 weeks.Cosme Diaz caught 2 passes for 18 yards.The district had a good week with the other four teams all posting wins going into district play. Goldthwaite routed Winters; Santo crushed Petrolia; De Leon defeated a team of home-schooled and Hico got past Italy.To open district play, Hico travels to Santo and San Saba goes north on Texas 16 to tangle with the Bearcats in De Leon. Goldthwaite has the open week.Kickoff is set for 7:30 at Bearcat Stadium in De Leon. Come out and support the Armadillos as they try to make the playoffs for the 4th year in a row.