The 7th grade Blanco Panther football team snagged a 22-14 win over the Lexington Eagles on Thursday, October 24.
After Jesus Arteaga kicked off for Blanco, Lexington started their offense on the Lexington 46 yard line. The Eagles moved the ball to the Blanco 32 yard line, but were stopped there by the Panther defense on 4th down. Tackles were made by Justin Wardlow, Tristan Fortner, Cade Felps, Corbin Diamond, Chance Horton, Cooper Riley, and Arteaga.
Following two off sides penalties against the Eagles, the Panther offense marched downfield on a 6 yard carry and a 24 yard carry by Felps. Wardlow picked up yards and then Felps dashed 22 yards to the endzone. Eddie Calzoncit tossed a pass to Wardlow for the 2 point conversion. The Panthers led 8-0.
Arteaga kicked off for Blanco and Lexington again set up their offense on their own 46. After an offsides call against Lexington, an Eagle runner sprinted 59 yards for a touchdown. The PAT was no good with Wardlow tackling the ball carrier. Blanco led 8-6 with 1 minute remaining in the 1st quarter.
Chris Osteguin returned the Eagle kickoff 25 yards from the Blanco 35 to the Lexington 40 yardline. Then on the next play, Wardlow burst through the defense to score a touchdown on a 40 yard run. Calzoncit again found Wardlow in the endzone for the 2 point conversion. Blanco increased their lead to 16-6 with 33 seconds left in the 1st quarter.
After the Blanco kickoff, Lexington started their offense on their own 38. The Panther defense was strong with stops by Wardlow, Diamond, Felps, and Matthew Alcala. The Eagles were stopped on 4th down and Calzoncit recovered a fumble. Blanco took over on the Eagles 48 yard line and methodically moved the ball downfield on carries by Wardlow, Calzoncit, and Felps. The offensive series included a 23 yard gain by Fortner on a reverse and a 22 yard gain on a pass from Wardlow to Fortner. Felps capped the drive on a 1 yard touchdown carry. The PAT was no good. With 30 seconds remaining in the half, Blanco led 22-6.
Blanco kicked off and stopped the return at the Lexington 14 yard line on a tackle by Fortner. Arteaga tackled the carrier on the next play on a one yard gain. Then as time expired in the half, an Eagle ball carrier broke free and scored an 85 yard TD. The PAT was good. The Panthers led 22-14 at the half.
Lexington kicked off to begin the 2nd half with Wardlow making a 32 yard return from the Lexington 38 yard line to the Blanco 30. The Panthers picked up a 1st down on an 8 yard reverse by Fortner and a Lexington penalty. Two plays later, the Eagles intercepted a pass at their own 32 yard line. Horton, Diamond, Fortner, and Wardlow made stops forcing the ball over to Blanco on downs at the Lexington 40 yard line. The Lexington defense held Blanco taking over on downs at the Eagle 37 yard line. Calzoncit, Fortner, Horton, Diamond, Riley, Osteguin, and Wardlow made stops for the Panther defense. The ball went over on downs to Blanco. After a scoreless second half, the Panthers won 22-14.
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