Tharp runs into the record books.
The Armadillo football season abruptly ended last Friday night as they lost a tough Bi-District matchup to the Crawford Pirates 21-15. The injury-ridden Dillos came into the playoffs looking to advance into the Area round for the first time since 2020, but a stout Pirate team controlled the clock and scored just enough points to hinder San Saba’s bid to move on to the next round.
There are many highlights to the 2024 season to look back upon. Coach Aguirre’s sixth season as the leader of the team has steadily moved him up the ranks in coaching stats. Aguirre is now tied with Coach Locklear (1930-1946) with the most playoff games played (8), second in playoff appearances (4), and more importantly, a 5-1 record against our rivals from across the river. Sophomore quarterback Luke Tharp ran into the records books when he rushed for 1,889 yards on the season. The 1,889 yards is the fourth most rushing yards in a single season only behind Eli Salinas (1,902 in 2018), John Henry Sr. (2,062 yards in 1982), and Eli Salinas (2,137 yards in 2019).
Tharp passed some big time names on his way to the record books, guys like Sean O’Keefe, Dick Little, Moses Cisneroz and Olidio Cantu. Not a bad start to the 16-year-old high schooler's career. It is even more impressive that he did it in just 10 games as an injured leg kept him on the sideline for a game. When you account for the 810 yards passing, Tharp accumulated 2,699 yards of total offense.
Team leaders
Rushing – Luke Tharp (1,889 yards on 174 att. 21 TD), Jason Everett (351 yards on 68 att. 7 TD), Alex Astrada (306 yards on 56 att. 4 TD) Passing – Tharp (101 att. 59 comp., 810 yards, 8 TD 1 int), Levi Glover (5 att. 4 com.), Winton Lackey – (6 att. 2 comp.)
Receiving – Glover (27 receptions, 321 yards 3 TD), Preston Gray (14 receptions, 167 yards, 3 TD), Danny English (5 receptions 43 yards).
Tackles – Everett (118 tackles, 18 TFL,1 sack) Glover (108 tackles, 6 TFL, 3 int), Patino (63 Tackles, 8 TFL, 1 sack, 2 int), Winton Lackey (56 Tackles, 7 TFL, 1 sack)
San Saba vs Crawford – game recap 1st Quarter
10:11 – The lone score of the quarter comes way of Crawford's opening drive that ends on a 47yard run. PAT is NO GOOD, 6-0 Crawford.
At the end of one quarter of play - San Saba 0, Crawford 6.
2nd Quarter
8:41 – Crawford throws a short bubble screen that turns into a 46-yard passing score. Two-point conversion is good, 14-0 Crawford.
5:40 – The Dillos churn out a 53-yard drive and move the ball to the four-yard line; from there Everett dives into the end zone for the score. PAT is blocked, 14-6 Crawford.
Halftime score – San Saba 6, Crawford 14.
3rd Quarter
9:55 – San Saba moves the ball down the field on their opening drive of the second half 55 yards to the five-yard line where Everett bulldozes his way into the end zone for his second score. Two-Point conversion is no good, 14-12 Crawford.
3:11 – Crawford puts together a grinding 69-yard, six-minute drive that ends on a score from the three-yard line. Pat is good, 12-21 Crawford.
After three quarters of play – San Saba 12, Crawford 21.
4th Quarter
7:09 – San Saba’s last score of the game comes way of a Brandon Gonzales 29-yard field goal.
Final Score – San Saba 15, Crawford 21