Armadillos shut out the Punchers

San Saba ends 47-year drought!

For the first time since 1973, San Saba came out victorious over the Mason Punchers at what is commonly known as “The Puncher Dome.” Since 1924, the Dillos and Punchers have squared off 55 times; of those 55 games, San Saba’s luck has not been too good, going 3-15-1 in Mason. A stifling defense along with a strong run game finally saw San Saba bring home a victory from their long-time rivals. The win extended San Saba’s regular season winning streak to 23 games and start the 2020 campaign at 3-0.

The Dillos' run game was

The Dillos' run game was their claim to fame Friday night. San Saba had 406 yards on the ground on 51 attempts (7.9 avg) and 1 completed pass (for no gain) on 8 attempts. Leading the way rushing was RB Stone Sears-23 rushes, 178 yards (7.7 avg) and 1 touchdown. Alternating at QB this week, Wesley Lackey had 112 rushing yards on 14 attempts (8 avg) and 2 rushing touchdowns. Risien Shahan carried the ball 9 times for 90 yards (10 avg) and 1 touchdown. The Dillo “swarming” defense

The Dillo “swarming” defense came up big against the Punchers. San Saba forced 4 turnovers on the night (3 fumbles and 1 interception) and put up their first shutout of the season. Leading the way defensively for the Dillos was Justin Yarbrough with 13 tackles, DL Bryan Reza with 11 and LB Stone Sears with 10 tackles. Recovering fumbles on defense for the Dillos was Bladen Calley, Logan Glover and Brendon Morris along with Reagan Mijia intercepting his first pass of the season.

Game Recap

1st Quarter

9:09 – After a fumble recovery by Glover, Wesley Lackey takes the ball in from the 9-yard line. PAT is good 7-0 San Saba. 2:14 – Another fumble recov

2:14 – Another fumble recovery, this time by Bladen Calley leads to a 3-yard rushing TD from Lackey. PAT is good 14-0 San Saba.

At the end of the 1st quarter, San Saba leads 14-0

2nd Quarter – Both teams struggle to move the ball.

At the half San Saba 14 – Mason 0

3rd Quarter

3:44 - Following a Mijia INT, Justin Yarbrough sends a 32-yard field goal through the up rights. 17-0 San Saba.

End of the 3rd quarter, San Saba 17 – Mason 0

4th Quarter 5:23 – San Saba drives the ball

5:23 – San Saba drives the ball down the field to the 1, from there Shahan takes it into the end zone for the score. 2-point conversion is good 25-0 San Saba. 4:11 – After recovering an

4:11 – After recovering an onside kick, Stone Sears bulldozes his way to the end zone from 36 yards out. PAT is good 32-0 San Saba.

1:57 – Brendon Morris recovers a fumble that ends the Punchers last chance at getting into the end zone.

Final Score – San Saba 32, Mason 0

Week 4 Matchup: San Saba VS Llano

The week 4 contest of the 2020 year will see another long-time rival come back into the schedule for the Armadillos, the Llano Yellowjackets. Since 1940, San Saba has faced off against Llano 55 times (2nd most behind the Goldthwaite Eagles (102), with the last one coming in 1997. It should be noted that both teams have played each other many more times than that, but researching the record past that year hasn’t been done yet; by next season I should have the rest of the stats available. So, for now we will go off the records covering the last 80 years. Here is some more useless (but always fun to know) facts about the two teams.

Series Record

Llano leads the overall series 29-25-1

Largest margin of victory

San Saba 44, Llano 0 (1948)

Llano 70, San Saba 0 (1997) Win Streaks

San Saba won 3 games from 90-92

Llano has won the last 5 from 91-97

Enrollment

San Saba – 201 (2A division 1)

San Saba – 201 (2A division 1)

Llano - 495 (3A division 1)

Last Week’s Game Scores

San Saba 32, Mason 0

Llano 52, Bandera 0

What’s on the line

San Saba-The Dillos will be facing an opponent with twice the enrollment and is 2 classifications above them. Llano will have the advantage in pure numbers alone, so a win Friday night will make a huge statement across the state.

Llano-Although they are playing a smaller school, the Jackets are playing the #6 team in Texas and will be facing their toughest opponent yet. It’s homecoming night in Llano, so you know they will be playing to their full potential, plus a loss to little ‘ol San Saba might set them back a couple of weeks……

Last week’s scores around the district

#4 Cisco – 14, Breckenridge – 0

Winters – 19, Bangs – 42

Coleman – 15, Brady – 12

Goldthwaite – 48, Olney - 8

Deleon – 20, Millsap – 27

San Saba 3-0

Cisco 3-0

Coleman 2-1

Winters 0-3

Goldthwaite -1-2

DeLeon – 0-3