The Coleman Bluecats defeated the San Saba Armadillos last Friday night at Hufford Field in Coleman keeping their slim playoff hopes alive. Coleman needed a victory and a loss by Early to make the playoffs. A large contingent from Comanche was in attendance supporting the Dillos. A San Saba win would have put the Indians in the playoffs. However, Early routed the Dublin Lions to claim the third playoff spot behind Bangs and Brady, who were playing in Bangs for the district title.

Coleman won the toss and wanted the football. The kick by Diego Gonzalez pushed Glen Edington back to the 4 and he got to the 12 before a pack of Dillos tackled him there. The Cats moved the ball down the field with a mix of run and pass. It appeared that Coleman would score when Jack Whitten hit QB Colton Buzzard and knocked the ball loose. San Saba recovered at the 1 yard line to end the drive.

The Armadillos began a long drive down the field. Keyed by a 45-yard pass from Whitten to Anthony Salinas, San Saba got the ball inside the Cat 10 before settling for a 27-yard field goal by Gonzalez.

Gonzalez pinned Coleman deep with the kickoff again. Coleman started the drive at the 19. The drive ended on downs after Colton Buzzard failed to make enough yards on a fake punt at the Cat 28 early in the second period.

Coleman got the ball back when a pass to Joseph Henry was fumbled at the 14 and Buzzard recovered for the Bluecats. Hayden Oliver got the ball back for San Saba with a fumble recovery at the Coleman 29.

San Saba was unable to score, turning the ball over on downs at the Bluecat 6. Coleman began using short passes to Travis Brixey and Dalton De Leon to move the ball down the field. De Leon got the score on a 29-yard pass from Buzzard. Buzzard added the PAT and Coleman led 7-3.

The Armadillos started to drive again but were forced to punt. Diego Gonzalez got off a nice kick that rolled dead at the Bluecat 15. The next 45 seconds saw a series of interceptions. Tucker Cromer picked off Buzzard, Andrew Isom then picked off a Jack Whitten pass and Chase Key topped it with another interception. San Saba ran off the last few seconds leaving the score 7-3 Coleman at halftime.

San Saba got the ball to start the second half. The Dillos could not gain a first down and Diego Gonzalez came on to punt, putting the Cats at the 31.

Coleman drove the ball until Jose Garcia stepped in front of a Colton Buzzard pass and returned it 12 yards to the Dillo 25.

After three plays, Gonzalez was on to punt again. Coleman took over at the 45 after the kick.

Buzzard capped the drive on a 33-yard pass to Dalton De Leon for the score. The PAT was good and Coleman led 14-3.

George Long came on to play QB for San Saba. A 38-yard pass to Jose Garcia put the Dillos deep in Coleman territory. San Saba was unable to gain a first down and Coleman had the ball at the 26.

The defense stepped up and forced a punt, with the Armadillos starting at the 41 as the final period started. Jamal Agbor recovered a fumble on a lateral to Bobby Pairett at the Dillo 33. Agbor scored the touchdown on a 20-yard pass from Buzzard. The PAT was partially blocked and Coleman had a 20-3 lead.

San Saba lost the ball on downs on the next possession at the Bluecat 44. After gaining a first down, Colton Buzzard was back to pass, Chance Gotcher cut in front of the receiver and raced 55 yards with the interception for a touchdown. Diego Gonzalez kicked the PAT and the score was 20-10.

San Saba was unsuccessful on the onside kick and Coleman ran out the clock for the win. Playing their final game for the Armadillos were Jose Garcia, George Long, Dustin Morgan, Bobby Pairett, Willie Wiley, John Hartranft, Fernando Anaya, Carter Wells and Bradley Cummins. Ryan Plumley was injured and could not play in his final game as a senior.

The Dillo offense was led by Jack Whitten with 22 yards rushing and 9-13 passing for 99 yards. Morgan had 45 yards on 15 carries. Garcia led the receivers with 6 catches for 59 yards and Joseph Henry added 4 receptions for 38 yards. After much discussion, the panel voted the offensive player to Garcia. He did have a few dropped passes but had several key catches for first downs.

The defensive side saw several key plays by Pairett, Morgan, Whitten, Garcia, Tucker Cromer, Chase Key, Hayden Oliver, Henry, Tyler McIntosh, Hartranft, Anthony Salinas, Ryan Parks, Anaya, Chance Gotcher and Zac Verette. Once again, after much discussion, Jack Whitten earned defensive player for his forced fumble and several hard tackles during the game.

The Armadillos will have a good team coming back next year. Returning for San Saba as starters will be Gary Gant, Whitten, Oliver, McIntosh, Cromer, Henry and Key along with Pete Torres on special teams and Diego Gonzalez at kicker. Ryan Parks, David Smith, Zac Verette and Chance Gotcher can step in as needed. Braden McBee will be back after his injury suffered in the Mason game.

In other district action, Early downed Dublin 57-0 to earn the playoff berth and Bangs handed Brady its first loss 30-18. Early takes on old rival Jim Ned in the first round of Div 1 at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene. Bangs plays Colorado City at Gordon Wood Stadium in Brownwood and Brady takes on the Bearcats from Ballinger in San Angelo.