Blanco improved to 2 and 0 on the season as they defeated the visiting Comfort Bobcats 39-14 in their home opener. The Panthers broke open a close game in the second half to drop their Hill Country rivals to 0 and 2 on the year.
The Panthers wasted little time in taking the lead as QB McKay Adamson closed out a 6-play 48-yard drive by finding Adrien Dominguez for a 5-yard touchdown pass with 8:19 in the first quarter. On the Panthers’ next drive, Logan Dodd sprinted 5 yards to the end zone to complete a 4-play 36-yard drive. Although the Panthers failed on both extra point attempts, Blanco led 12-0 at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter of play saw Blanco on the verge of taking a three touchdown lead before a fumble and 75-yard return for a touchdown put Comfort on the board. Following a successful PAT, the Bobcats had cut the Panther lead to 12-7. Then, on Comfort’s next offensive possession, the Bobcats drove 40 yards to score on a 6-yard run. Again, the PAT was good and the Bobcats were in the lead at 14-12. However, the Comfort lead was short-lived as Blanco mounted a final drive before the half to regain the lead on a halfback pass as Carson Kipp found Adamson for a 13-yard score. Again, Blanco failed on the PAT, but had regained the lead at 18-14.
The final half of play began similarly to how the first ended, with McKay Adamson scoring the touchdown, this time on a 2-yard run. Adamson then added the 2-point conversion to extend Blanco’s lead to 26-14 at the close of the 3rd quarter.
The Panthers then added two more scores in the fourth on short runs by Alex Juarez and John Cove-Chick. Aikman Elrod converted one of the two PATs to close out the Panthers’ scoring and secure a 39-14 victory.
As a team, Blanco picked up 25 first downs and over 360 yards in offense. For the second straight week, Adrien Dominguez finished as the leading rusher with 85 yards on 15 carries. Logan Dodd and Colton Elrod added to the ground attack with 75 and 67 yards respectively while Adamson completed 6 passes to 5 different receivers for 101 yards.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Panthers held Comfort to just 9 first downs and 163 yards while forcing 3 turnovers, interceptions by Alex Palos and Colton Elrod, and a fumble recovery by Dru Ramirez.
Blanco will be on the road this week traveling to Luling to take on the 2-0 Eagles. Luling looks to be a strong test for the Panthers after big wins over Randolph and Rice Consolidated the past two weeks. Kickoff is set for 7:30 pm.
6 photos attached to this article.
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