What started as a horror story for Comanche ended as a nightmare for San Saba on Halloween last Friday night. San Saba let a 17-0 second quarter lead turn into a 27-24 loss to the Comanche Indians. The loss eliminated San Saba from the playoff race and kept Comanche in the hunt.

Comanche won the toss and wanted to receive. Diego Gonzalez did a short pooch kick that fell into the hands of Joseph Henry as the Indians retreated to block for a return. San Saba had the ball at the Comanche 46.

The Armadillos ran down the field on 10 rushes using 5:28 of the clock. Hayden Oliver, Anthony Salinas (who had been moved from the line to fullback) and Jack Whitten did the running. Whitten scored on a 9-yard run. Gonzalez added the PAT and San Saba lead 7-0.

At this point, San Saba decided to try it again. Gonzalez did the same type of kickoff. Ryan Parks hit the Comanche player just as the ball got there and Pete Torres recovered the ball for the Dillos.

San Saba moved the ball again with the run, but this time had to settle for a 34-yard field goal by Gonzalez for a 10-0 lead.

Comanche finally got to run an offensive play with 1:51 left on the clock of the opening period. The Indians got inside the 10 of the Dillos but a big loss gave the ball back to San Saba just outside the 20 yard line.

The teams traded punts through most of the second quarter until Jack Whitten fell on a Jerick Roberts fumble at the Indian 18. Dustin Morgan capped the short drive with a 2-yard plunge. Gonzalez was true and San Saba led 17-0 with only 46 seconds left in the half.

Comanche was not done, however. Two long passes from Roberts to Jaron Hohertz, one of 45 yards and one of 28-yards and Comanche was on the board as the half ended. Carmelo Herrera kicked the PAT and the score was 17-7 at halftime.

San Saba came out the second half and was moving the ball until a Chance Gotcher pass was intercepted by Armando Ramirez. Comanche took over at the 34.

Staying with the pass, the Indians drove down for another score. Tyler Rodriguez got the score on a 1-yard pass from Cody Biggs on the halfback pass. Herrera added the PAT and San Saba led 17-14.

The Armadillos had a long return called back and started from the 10. Unable to make a first down, they punted again giving the Indians great field position at the Dillo 37.

Josh Feaster ended the six play drive on a 1-yard run in the fourth period.The PAT failed and Comanche led 20-17.

The teams traded punts again and Comanche ended with the ball at the 45. This time the Indians were able to score on a 3-yard Feaster run. Carmelo Herrera converted and Comanche led 27-17 with 3:01 left.

George Long guided the Armadillos down the field with the passing game. Joseph Henry scored the touchdown on a 15-yard pass from Long. Diego Gonzalez cut the lead to 27-24 with the PAT.

San Saba still had one bullet left in the gun after a third successful onside kick. This time Chase Key recovered the ball at the Indian 49 with 1:00 left. All hopes for the comeback ended when a Long pass was tipped and ended in the hands of Anthony Sanchez. Comanche did a couple of kneels and had the 27-24 win.

It was a balanced rushing attack for the Dillos in the game. Jack Whitten had 75 yards and a score, Dustin Morgan added 38 yards and a touchdown, Hayden Oliver totaled 34 yards and Anthony Salinas got 24 yards. Joseph Henry had 3 catches for 35 yards and a touchdown. Chase Key had 2 catches, Anthony Salinas, Dustin Morgan and Zac Verette had one catch each in the game. The panel voted the offensive player of the week to the line of Willie Wiley, John Hartranft, Fernando Anaya, Tyler McIntosh and Bobby Pairett. They were making holes for the runners to go through.

The defense was led by the duo of Pairett and Henry. Chase Key, Whitten, Anaya, Tucker Cromer, McIntosh, Ryan Parks, Chance Gotcher and Jose Garcia contributed to the cause. The panel voted the player of the week to Joseph Henry who was putting pressure on the QB all game.

In other action from the district, Brady routed Dublin and Early beat Coleman 32-20. It is still undecided who will go to the playoffs as the third place team. Bangs will host Brady this week.

The winner is district champion. Early plays Dublin, Coleman hosts San Saba at 7:30 p.m. and Comanche has the bye and is finished for the regular season. A San Saba victory over Coleman puts the Indians into the playoffs. Early gets in if both Early and Coleman win and Coleman gets in with a win and a loss by Early to Dublin. Come out and support the team.