The road to the playoffs has become a little more complicated for the Dillos after a 41-38 loss to the Bangs Dragons last Friday night. The Dillos were 17-point favorites coming into the game, but the defense could not seem to stop the Dragons offense that was forced to punt just one time. The playoff picture is not as clear for the Dillos with the loss, yet they still are very much in the hunt for the fourth spot. San Saba MUST win the ball game this Friday against their rivals from across the river in order keep pace with the rest of the teams from district 25-2A. Trying to explain what needs to happen for the Dillos to make the playoffs is pretty complexed to say the least, so for now the Dillos will look to beat the Eagles in the 106th “Battle of the River.”
Offensive Leaders
Ethan Gonzales and Lane Miller accounted for bulk of the offensive production last Friday, or at least 99% of it. Of the 40 offensive plays made, Skylar Romero’s 9-yard reception was the only play that did not involve Gonzales or Miller. Gonzales rushed for 187 yards on 20 attempts (9.3 avg) with two rushing TD’s and caught three passes for 52 yards (17.3 avg). Miller completed four of seven passes for 61 yards and rushed for 106 yards on 13 carries (8.1 avg) and two scores. Skylar Romero also contributed from the special team’s side with an 83-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and an offensive fumble recovery in the end zone.
Defensive leaders
Gonzales led the team with 11 tackles, two of those for a loss, and added a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Lackey contributed 10 tackles to the effort, two coming for a loss while Juan Patino tacked on 10 tackles as well. Sklyar Romero intercepted his team leading 5th pass of the season, and Jesus Gonzalez had six tackles from the nose guard position.
Game Recap 1st Quarter
8:47 – Bangs takes their opening drive seventy yards to the five-yard line; from there they punch it in for a rushing score. PAT is good. 7-0 Bangs.
8:26 – The Dillos strike quick on the second play of their opening drive when Gonzales scampers 83 yards for the score. PAT is good. 7-7.
4:32 – Another long drive ends with a touchdown for the Dragons as the QB sneaks in from the five-yard line. PAT is good. 14-7 Bangs.
4:21 – Skylar Romero follows a couple of key blocks by Gonzales and takes the kickoff return eighty yards for the score. PAT is good. 14-14.
At the end of the first Quarter – San Saba 14. Bangs 14
2nd Quarter
12:00 – The Dragons carry over the four-minute drive from the first quarter and score on a QB sneak from the one-yard line. PAT is good. 21-14 Bangs.
7:53 Following a “squib kick” that was recovered by the Dragons, Bangs once again moves the ball down the field where they score from four yards out. PAT is good. 28-14 Bangs.
:08 – The Dillos convert a three-minute drive into a late score when Miller crosses the goal line on a QB keeper from the one-yard line. PAT is no good. 28-20 Bangs.
Halftime Score – San Saba 20, Bangs 28
3rd Quarter
8:02 – The Dillos open the second half with a score courtesy of Miller from the two-yard line. Two-point conversion is no good. 28-26 Bangs.
6:30 – Following an onside kick recovered by Romero, The Dillos take their first lead of the night when Gonzales carries the ball in from the 10-yard line. Two-point conversion is no good. 32-28 San Saba.
3:09 – The Dragons once again take the lead and march the ball down the field and score on a QB sneak from five yards out. PAT is good. 35-32 Bangs.
At the End of 3 Quarters of Play – San Saba 32, Bangs 35 4th Quarter
11:54 – The Dillos final score of the evening comes when Gonzales fumbles the ball on the goal line from seven yards out but is recovered by Romero in the end zone for the score. Two-point conversion is no good. 38-35 San Saba.
10:44 – The Dillo defense just cannot make a stop as the Bangs running back breaks through for a score on a 31-yard run. PAT is good. 41-38 Bangs.
Final Score: San Saba – 38, Bangs 41