Billed as the Game of the Week by the Austin News, Blanco traveled to Lexington to take on the state-ranked Eagles in a game that would most likely decide the district championship, as both teams entered with identical 5 and 2 records and undefeated in district play. However, the Panthers fell behind early and suffered a repeat of last year’s game at Lexington, as the Eagles handed Blanco its first district defeat.
Lexington jumped out to an early 15 to 0 lead by taking advantage of a blocked punt and a fumbled kick-off return. The first two Lexington TDs covered a span of just 12 seconds. The Eagles added another score before the end of the first quarter to take a 22 to 0 lead. The second quarter saw the Eagles add two more scores, to lead 36 to 0 at the half.
Blanco managed to hold Lexington to just one score in the third quarter, while also stopping their two-point conversion attempt, to leave the score 42 to 0 at the end of three quarters of play. The final quarter saw the Eagles add their last score of the night. Blanco again stopped the two-point conversion attempt, to close out Lexington’s scoring at 48. The Panthers avoided a shut-out on their next possession, as Tim Goodman scored on a 59-yard run. Sam Isenberg then passed to Colton Elrod for the two-point conversion, to make the final score 48 to 8.
Offensively, Lexington held the Panthers to 170 yards in offense and 6 first downs while Tim Goodman led Blanco with 121 yards rushing on 13 carries. Defensively, Blanco gave up 413 yards and 18 first downs in addition to forcing the Eagles to punt twice.
Blanco will return home to host Johnson City this Friday. A victory over their county rivals will clinch a play-off spot for the Panthers. Kick-off is set for 7:30 pm.
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