The San Saba High School varsity football team had a rough evening on Friday, September 3, as the Armadillos went on the road and were defeated 46-14 by the Rogers High School Eagles.
The Class 3A-2 Eagles, who lost to the Dillos last season 24-21 on a last-second field goal, were able to avenge that defeat at the hands of San Saba as Rogers got off to a very fast start offensively and did not look back.
Despite the lopsided loss, the Dillos were able to score in the second quarter on a short touchdown run by San Saba junior fullback Tegen Saiz and then once in the middle of the fourth quarter on a short pass touchdown reception by senior wide receiver Reagan Mejia (eight receptions for 48 yards on the night) from junior quarterback Lance Taylor.
San Saba junior wide receiver Tyler Johnson led his team in receiving on Friday with six catches for 71 yards, while senior wide receiver Wesley Lackey had four receptions of his own for 57 yards on the night.
Taylor completed 20-of-39 of his passes in the loss for 181 yards with one touchdown pass and only one interception thrown.
The Dillos got a noteworthy defensive play by senior newcomer outside linebacker Weston Oliver when he stripped the Rogers running back of the ball, which went up into the air and into the waiting arms of San Saba senior defensive lineman Leonel Aranda for the clutch fumble recovery.
For the second straight week, San Saba junior inside linebacker Zuri Herrera was all over the field on defense as he racked up double-digit stops on the night with a game-high 15 tackles.
Unfortunately for the Dillos, the host Eagles were able to run the ball very effectively throughout the night and controlled the tempo on offense as Rogers jumped out to a commanding 30-7 lead heading into the locker room at halftime.
Up next, the Dillos will host Mason High School at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, September 10, for San Saba’s annual Homecoming game at Rogan Field. The Punchers are currently 2-0 following impressive victories away at Comanche High School (34-13) and hosting Comfort High School (39-6). San Saba defeated Mason 32-0 on the road in the 2020 meeting between the two schools.
Be sure to check out next week’s edition of the San Saba News & Star for more updates on Dillos and Lady Dillos varsity athletics. Sports editor Andrew Salmi can be contacted via email at salmi.courier@gmail.com or by cell phone at (818) 645-1115.