The 8th Grade Panther football team followed their undefeated 7th grade year with only one loss and an undefeated district championship with a 39-12 victory over Natalia on Thursday, November 6.
After the Blanco kick off, the Panther defense forced the Mustangs to punt. Tyler La Rue returned the punt for 12 yards. On the first Blanco offensive play, Quarterback Eddie Calzoncit found LaRue open across the middle for a 34 yard touchdown reception. The conversion attempt failed leaving Blanco leading 6-0. Natalia returned the Blanco kickoff for a touchdown, tying the game at 6-6. Jacob Lopez blitzed in to halt the PAT Calzoncit returned the Natalia kick off for an exciting 24 yard run. Three plays later Justin Wardlow followed back to back runs with a 21 yard rushing touchdown. Calzoncit hit Tristan Fortner with the 2 point conversion pass to put the Panthers back on top, 14-6. Blanco kicked off and pinned the Mustangs deep in their own territory. After an exchange of possession on a Blanco fumble recovery and a Natalia interception, Chance Horton charged through the line and tackled the ball carrier for a safety, increasing the Blanco lead to 16-6. Wardlow returned the Natalia kick off for 18 yards and followed that with an 11 yard run on 1st down. Calzoncit then aired it out to Fortner in the endzone for another Panther touchdown. Calzoncit tossed a pass to Wardlow for the 2 point conversion, Blanco led 24-6. The Mustangs moved the ball down the field for 7 plays before Chris Osteguin spoiled their efforts with an interception, Natalia forced a Panther punt and then scored a touchdown, but failed on the PAT leaving the Panthers up 24-12. After the Mustang kick off, the Panthers put a great drive together, mixing pass and run plays ending with a Wardlow 5 yard trot for a score. Calzoncit made the 2 point conversion on a QB keeper increasing the Blanco lead 32-12.
On the second half kickoff, Fortner was exciting as he put on his best moves for a 27 yard return. Zach Collins and Fortner made rushing yardage setting up a QB keeper of Calzoncit. Calzoncit kicked the extra point to bring the Panther lead to 39-12. The Panthers held on for the win as undefeated district champs with a 5-0 record and an 8-1 season record.
The front four of Jesus Arteaga, Kyle Martinez, CJ Corbin, and Horton provided more than 20 punishing tackles, a safety, and a fumble recovery throughout the night. Will Adams, Brock Nichols, Jacob Vogel, Ernesto Gonzales, Jacob Hatfield, Collin Carter, Brandon Foth, and LaRue added another dozen tackles. Lane Lowak put the hurt on many Mustangs, as well as, Tyler Mangold, Brinx Hunt, Daniel Thomas, Collins, Osteguin, and Lopez. Linebackers AJ Briscoe, Cade Felps, and Wardlow showed their strength and versatility in coverage and tackling. The offensive line Adams, Martinez, Horton, Matthew Alcala, and Brock Nichols held the line and opened holes for the backfield. Wardlow rushed for 70 yards, caught 3 passes including a 2 point conversion and made 2 rushing touchdowns. Felps rushed for over 40 yards. Fortner ran for almost 100 yards, caught a touchdown pass, and a 2 point conversion. Calzoncit completed 6 of 8 passing for over 90 yards, 138 all-purpose yards, 2 touchdown passes, 2 conversion passes, a rushing touchdown, a rushing conversion, and an extra point.
The 8th grade team will make their move to BHS next year with hopes to continue on the winning tradition as Freshmen.
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