The 7th grade Dillos started their season Thursday night with a win over Goldthwaite, 14-6. The Dillos played well and were able to control the game.

Goldthwaite kicked off to the Dillos to start the game. Kelan Verette fielded the kick and ran for a twelve yard gain. The Dillos had great field position by starting at the 50 yard line. Kelan Verette, Geryn Young, and Kolton Ellis had good runs behind the blocking of Oscar Villa, Brian Rogers, Ismael Ramirez, Wesley Gates, Kristian McCoury, and Daniel Calderon. A batted pass by Goldthwaite on 4th down caused the Dillos to turn the ball over on downs.

Goldthwaite started their drive on their own 30 yard line. The Dillo defense was ready to attack. Geryn Young and Kelan Verette came up with three huge tackles behind the line of scrimmage to force the Eagles to punt.

San Saba started with great field position again. Kolton Ellis and Kelan Verette made four good runs for 24 yards behind great blocking from the lineman. The Dillos couldn't string together any more positive yardage plays on this drive so they were forced to punt. Kelan Verette punted the ball 29 yards to the Eagles and Daniel Calderon made the TD saving tackle.

The Eagles took over at mid field. Cosme Diaz, Geryn Young, Dallas Caldwell and Kelan Verette came up with big tackles on this drive. On a 3rd and 2 the Eagles ran a reverse and were able to run 25 yards for a TD. Geryn Young provided great coverage on the 2 pt. try. PAT no good, 6-0 Goldthwaite.

The Dillos got the ball back one more time before halftime. The Dillos started just shy of midfield. Verette made runs of 14 & 27 yds. behind great blocking from the line. Geryn Young made a great 8 yd. run to give the Dillos a first down with 1:00 minute to go in the half. An untimely fumble gave the Eagles the ball. The Dillo defense held on to deny the Eagles, 6-0 Goldthwaite at the half.

San Saba kicked off to Goldthwaite to start the second half. The Dillo Defense was ready to stop whatever the Eagles threw at them. Ruben Aguirre and Geryn Young made three straight tackles and didn't allow a first down. The Eagles punted the ball away.

The Dillo offense came out on a mission in the second half. This drive was the best one of the game for the offense. The lineman made huge holes for the backs to run through, Caldwell and Watson blocked well at receiver, and Verette, Young, and Ellis ran well.

The first play for the Dillos in the second half was a 17 yd. pass from Verette to Watson. The line gave plenty of time for Verette to throw. Young, Verette and Ellis made runs of seven a piece to put the Dillos on the Eagles 18 yd. line. Watson ran a reverse for 11 yds. with a host of Eagles on his back. On the very next play Kelan Verette punched it in from 7 yds. away. Verette ran in the 2 pt. conversion, 8-6 Dillos.

Goldthwaite took over and were looking to regain the lead. The Dillo defense was having none of that. Two straight tackles for 5 yd. losses by Dustin Sloan, Jordan Watson, Oscar Villa, and Daniel Calderon put the Eagles in a 3rd and 20 situation. Ryan Salinas, Oscar Villa and Brandon Amstead provided pressure on the QB, but he was able to break free for 17 yds. Dallas Caldwell made the touchdown saving tackle. The Eagles then ran a QB sneak for four yds and had a 1st and 10. Kilton Ellis, Daniel Calderon and Kelan Verette each made tackles to put the Eagles in a 4th down situation. Ruben Aguirre made an important tackle for a loss to give the Dillos the ball.

The Dillos got the ball back and were looking to run the clock out and win the game. Kolton Ellis made runs of 7 and 8 yards to put the Dillos in good field position. The two straight runs of 10 yds. put the Dillos on the Eagle 23 yard line. Asa Harbour and Ashton Krueger made blocks to spring Verette for his 23 yd. touchdown run. Two pt. try no good, 14-6 Dillos.

The Eagles got the ball back with 12 seconds left on the clock. Daniel Calderon, Gunner Hibler and Oscar Villa made the tackle to end the game, 14-6 Dillos win!!

The game turned out well for the Dillos. The line blocked great, the receivers blocked well, and the running backs ran hard. Both Young and Ellis averaged over 5 yds per carry. Verette ran for over 100 yards and two touchdowns. The defense played phenomenally and swarmed to the football. The 7th Dillos have Johnson City at home next Thursday. Hope to see you there!