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Courtesy of Jared Holder -
Skylar Romero takes off to the endzone for the game-winning score! Courtesy of Rita Boultinghouse -
Another team tackle by Miller, Glover and Lackey. Go Team! Courtesy of Rita Boultinghouse -
The Dillo defense making a team tackle stopping the Eagles last Friday night. Courtesy of Rita Boultinghouse -
Ethan Gonzales picks up a block from Miller and heads to the end zone. Courtesy of Rita Boultinghouse
The 106th Battle of the River was an instant classic played before a packed Rogan Field last Friday night. The game had all the dramatics a fan could ask for: a 14-point comeback, a kickoff return for a touchdown, a lastsecond score to take the lead and a defensive stand on the final play of the game. Did anyone mention we were picked to lose by 13 points? That alone is enough to make one’s blood pressure sore! No one is sure who decided to have the visitors band turn their backs to the home crowd to preform, and no one is certain why the Eagles decided to run out of the tunnel and blast their horn while the Golden Armadillo Band was still on the field, but it sure added to the intensity of the matchup. In the end, the Dillos kept their composure and did just enough to hold off their rivals for the fourth time in five years. A win keeps San Saba in the hunt for a playoff spot, but they will need some help. San Saba could clinch the fourth seat with a win over the #3 team in the state, Tolar Rattlers, in two weeks, but the more likely road to the playoffs will be a loss by Hamilton against either Bangs or Goldthwaite. So, for now the Armadillos will go into the bye week and get the players some much needed rest and bask in the glory of another victory over that town from across the river.
Offensive leaders –
The senior duo that was Lane Miller and Ethan Gonzales ended their playing days on Rogan Field with a bang. Gonzales rushed for 139 yards on 21 carries (6.6 avg) with two rushing scores and tacked on an 85-yard kick return. Miller churned out 85 yards on the ground on 17 carries (5 avg) with two rushing touchdowns and added 92 yards in the air and one score. Leading the way in receptions was Glover with three, followed by Cash Bryant with one reception and Skylar Romero added one huge 52yard catch and score.
Defensive leaders –
Glover ’s presence was felt in a big way in his first game back after missing the previous two games with an injury. Glover recorded 18 tackles, one of those for a loss and an interception. Lackey played solid as well from the linebacker position and recorded 15 tackles and the biggest pass break up of his short career. Sophomore Juan Patino recorded 10 tackles, two of those for a loss and a fumble recovery. Stencil and Adrian Martinez were also in on big plays as they each recovered a fumble, while another sophomore, Kolton Pierce, was responsible for two forced fumbles.
Game Recap 1st Quarter
6:16 – The Eagles strike first after they block an Armadillo punt and set up a 14-yard passing score. PAT is good. 7-0 Goldthwaite.
2:00 – Gonzales crosses the goal line on a 14-yard rush that was set up by a Glover interception. PAT is no good. 6-7 Goldthwaite.
After one quarter of play – San Saba 6, Goldthwaite 7 2nd Quarter
11:19 – The Eagles force another punt and is converted into six more points on a 20yard passing score. PAT is good. 6-14 Goldthwaite.
4:50 – The Dillos force a fumble and drive the ball down to the three-yard line; from there Miller takes it in for the score. Two-point conversion is good. 14-14.
1:13 – Eagles march the ball down the field on a 50-yard drive that ends on a four-yard rushing score. PAT is good. 14-21 Goldthwaite.
Halftime score – San Saba 14, Goldthwaite 21 3rd Quarter
10:20 – The Dillos fumble the opening kickoff of the third quarter, and the Eagles extend their lead on a 31-yard drive that concludes on a nine-yard rushing score. PAT is good. 14-28 Goldthwaite.
7:12 – San Saba puts together a 70-yard drive that concludes when Gonzales crosses the goal line from nine yards out. Two-point conversion is good. 22-28 Goldthwaite.
1:13 – The Dillos force a punt and a fumble on the next two drives and finally converted the turnovers into a score as they moved the ball down to the one-yard line; Miller leaps over the defensive front for six points. Two-point conversion is no good. 28-28.
At the end of three quarters of play – San Saba 28, Goldthwaite 28
4th Quarter
6:27 – The Eagles final score comes way of a 58-yard drive that ends on an eight-yard rushing score. PAT is good. 28-35 Goldthwaite.
6: 26 – Gonzales holds true to his “turbo” nickname when he takes the kickoff 85 yards for the score. Two-point conversion is no good. 34-35 Goldthwaite.
:43 – San Saba’s defense is able to hold the Eagles on fourth down that set up the play of the year for the Dillos. Miller scrambles out of a broken play, nearly gets his head ripped off by an Eagle defender, but somehow scrambles out and finds Romero on a 53-yard game-winning pass. Two-point conversion is no good. 40-35 San Saba.
:05 - With less than half a second left in the ball game, the Eagles have one last play from the seven-yard line. The Dillos defense “roots in” and makes the stop when Lackey knocks down the failed pass in the end zone.
Final score- San Saba 40, Goldthwaite 35