The Armadillos (5-2, 1-2 in district) notched their first district win of the season over the Bearcats from DeLeon (3-3, 0-3 in district) 35-21 last Friday evening. The win snapped a two-game losing skid for the Armadillos and kept their playoff hopes alive. This Friday, the Dillos will host the Bangs Dragons who are 2-0 in district with wins over Goldthwaite and DeLeon. The Dillos still control their own destiny; wins against Bangs and Goldthwaite in the coming weeks would give them a path to the playoffs.
Offensive Stats
Ball control, a solid running game and timely passes best sum up this week’s offense. The Dillos offense kept possession of the ball a staggering 19:58 of the 24 minutes in the second half; the old saying “they can’t score if they don’t have the ball” was a fitting assessment of the game. As a team, the Dillos took to the ground 44 of the 57 offensive plays (77%) yet still used the passing game to complete important fourth downs that kept drives alive. Quarterback Lance Taylor was 10 of 13 passing (76 %) for 113 yards and two passing scores. Sophomore Levi Glover was top receiver on the evening, Glover’s two receptions were good for 62 yards and both being scoring plays. Tyler Johnson, Ethan Gonzales, and Lance Taylor carried the ball 12, 14 and 15 times each with all three players scoring a rushing touchdown while Gonzales led the team in rushing yards with 126.
Defensive Stats
The defense gave up touchdowns on three of the first fives series in the first half but came out in the second half and played a very physical game. While the offense controlled the ball, the defense only allowed the Bearcats offense to run six offensive plays in the third and fourth quarter. Leading the defense was linebacker’s Zuri Herrera and Winton Lackey with nine and seven tackles. The defense created one turnover that was caused by Dylan Ware and recovered by Lane Miller, and defensive tackle Jesus Betancourt anchored the line with seven tackles, one being behind the line of scrimmage.
Game Summary 1st Quarter 8:22 – On fourth down from the 1-yard line, DeLeon’s opening drive ends on a one yard rushing score. PAT is no good; 6-0 DeLeon.
7:44 – San Saba answers back on their opening drive when Lance Taylor scrambles out and finds Levi Glover on a 45-yard passing score. PAT is good; 7-6 San Saba.
2:53 – DeLeon once again marches the ball down the field and punches the ball in from the 1-yard line. Two-point conversion is good; 14-6 DeLeon.
2:38 – RB Ethan Gonzales scampers 32 yards untouched for a Dillo score. PAT is good; 14-14.
At the end of the first quarter, San Saba 14 DeLeon 14 2nd Quarter
4:58 – After the Dillo defense forces a punt, San Saba moves the ball down to the 2-yard line, from their Taylor rushes in for the score. PAT is good 21-14 San Saba.
3:28 – What ends up being DeLeon’s’last points of the night come way of a 30-yard rushing score. PAT is good 21-21.
Halftime score – San Saba 21, DeLeon 21 3rd Quarter
4:27 – The opening drive of the half is all San Saba as they grind out a 7:33 second drive that ends with Tyler Johnson rushing the ball in from the 34-yard line. PAT is good; 28-21 San Saba.
After three quarters of play, San Saba leads 28-21 4th Quarter
8:41 – The Dillos seal the win on fourth down when Taylor connects with a wide open Glover in the back of the ends zone from the 25-yard line. PAT is good; 35-21 San Saba.
Final Score – San Saba 35, DeLeon 21