What many had hoped would be a good football game last Friday night, turned into a one-sided affair. The San Saba Armadillos could amass only 73 yards total offense against a good Eagle team from Goldthwaite.

San Saba won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. After Diego Gonzalez kicked off to the Eagles, Goldthwaite began play at the 35-yard line. It took the Eagles 7 plays to cover the yardage for the score. The big play was a 36-yard pass from Walt Clifton to Clay Phillips. Phillips fumbled the ball after being hit but James Harden was on the spot to keep the ball in Goldthwaite hands. Jonathon Williams capped the drive on a 1-yard plunge. Luis Arredondo kicked the PAT and the Eagles led 7-0.

The Armadillos came out and got a first down before having to punt back to Goldthwaite. The punt rolled dead at the Eagle 17. The Dillo defense held forcing a punt back to the offense. The Armadillo offense could not gain any ground and punted back. As the first quarter was drawing to a close, Goldthwaite had the ball near midfield.

Early in the quarter, Clifton hit Phillips on a pass and Phillips evaded San Saba defenders for a 62-yard touchdown. Arredondo was true on the PAT and a 14-0 lead.

The next Armadillo possession ended on a George Long fumble that was recovered by Phillips. Anthony Salinas returned the favor when he recovered an Eagle fumble on the next play. San Saba could not move and Diego Gonzalez was back to punt. The snap sailed over his head and he finally fell on the ball at the 12-yard line.

It took the Eagles six plays to score. The Dillo defense stopped Goldthwaite twice inside the 1 before Jonathan Williams finally scored on 3rd down. The PAT was good by Arredondo and the score was 21-0 with 5:26 left in the half.

The teams traded punts again. The following Armadillo drive ended when Garrett Schwartz intercepted an overthrown pass bringing the ball back to the Dillo 45. On the next play, Walt Clifton found Trey Horton open across the middle and connected on a 45-yard touchdown. The PAT made it 28-0 Eagles at the half.

San Saba began the second half in great field position after Dustin Morgan returned the kick to the Eagle 45. Four plays only netted 2 yards and the Eagles took over at the 43. It looked like Goldthwaite would score again, but the San Saba defense held inside the 10 and got the ball back at the 4-yard line on downs. The drive took 6:43 off the third quarter clock.

The Armadillos moved the ball out enough before punting that Diego Gonzalez was not in the end zone when he punted. A short kick put the ball at the 29-yard line.

Seven plays later, James Harden scored on a 2-yard run. Luis Arredondo kicked the PAT for the final points of the game.

The next San Saba possession ended on an errant pass that Tyler Horton picked off. Ryan Plumley got the ball back with an interception of his own.

As the Armadillos were trying to drive for a score, Walt Clifton made a diving catch for another interception by the Eagles. The Dillo defense soon forced another turnover when Bobby Pairett knocked the ball loose and Plumley recovered the fumble. San Saba ran out the clock.

There were few offensive highlights for the Armadillos. San Saba had 55 yards rushing and 18 yards passing in the game along with only 5 first downs. Gary Gant had 58 yards on the ground. George Long and Jack Whitten went a combined 5-15 passing with 3 interceptions. Gant was voted as offensive player of the game by the panel this week.

Defensively, several players stood out. Plumley, Whitten, Pairett, Anthony Salinas, Chase Key, Jose Garcia, Tucker Cromer, Gant, David Smith, Hayden Oliver and Joseph Henry made plays in the game. The panel voted Bobby Pairett as defensive player for the game.

In other district action, Coleman and Brady stayed perfect. Brady defeated a good Fredericksburg team 28-23. Bangs got a big win over Hamilton. Early lost to Clyde in the opening of their new field in Early. Comanche and Dublin joined San Saba at 0-3 on the season.

This week is Homecoming as the Johnson City Eagles come calling. The Homecoming activities are scheduled to take place before the game so come out early to see all the festivities. Kickoff is set for 7:30.