In what proved to be one of the most exciting games of the season, Blanco’s ground and pound running game bested the aerial attack of the Odem Owls to propel the Panthers into the next round of the state playoffs where they will face the Newton Eagles for the right to play in the 3A Division II State Championship game on Dec. 18.
Odem wasted little time in showing the Panthers what they intended to do all night, as the Owls came out and completed 8 straight passes to open the game and take an early 7-0 lead following an eight-yard touchdown pass and a successful extra point. Not to be outdone, Blanco returned the favor on their first offensive series, rushing seven times and then tying the game on a 16-yard run by Colton Elrod. Aikman Elrod added the extra point to close out the first quarter knotted up at 7-7.
Fans were treated to an old fashioned shoot-out in the second quarter, as each team scored three times, beginning with the Panthers as Colton Elrod gave Blanco their first lead of the night on a 10-yard run, making the score 13-7 after a failed PAT. Odem followed with two consecutive scoring drives resulting in touchdown passes of 18 and 67 yards to regain and extend their lead to 21-13. With 2:48 left in the half, the Panthers tied the game when Colton Elrod scored his third touchdown of the night on a 12-yard run. Quarterback McKay Adamson then passed to Logan Dodd for the 2-point conversion and a 21-all score. As was the case for the entire first half, Odem answered quickly with a seven-play, 86-yard drive that took only 1:52 off the clock, capped by a 23-yard scoring strike. Although the Owls’ 2-point conversion pass failed, Odem had regained the lead at 27-21 with less than a minute remaining. On the ensuing kickoff, Blanco’s Adrien Dominguez returned the ball 53 yards to set up the Panthers on the Odem 37 yard line. Adamson managed to complete Blanco’s only pass attempt for the night, connecting with Dominguez for a 37-yard touchdown. Aikman Elrod followed with the conversion, giving Blanco a 28-27 lead at the half.
Porous Panther pass defense gave up 380 yards through the air and 14 first downs in the first half alone; however, Blanco’s defenders stiffened in the second half, totally shutting down the potent Owls’ offense. Odem was limited to a mere 9 total yards and no first downs in the third quarter while the Panthers extended its lead with a 1-yard Adamson run followed by a Dominguez 44-yard sprint through the Owl defense. Aikman Elrod proved true on both PATs as the Panthers started to pull away after three quarters, leading 42-27.
The Panthers opened the final quarter of play with a 2-yard TD run by Ryan Ronces to extend the score to 48-27 following a failed extra point. Odem finally managed to get its passing game going again, scoring on a 9-yard pass play. However, it proved to be too little, too late after the PAT made the score 48-34.
Colton Elrod sealed the game for the Panthers with his fourth touchdown of the night on an 18-yard scamper. Aikman Elrod closed out the scoring with his fifth extra point, making the final score 55-34.
Offensively, Blanco’s ground game churned out more than 400 yards for the game, with just one play resulting in negative yardage the entire night. Adrien Dominguez led all rushers with 201 yards on 18 carries and Colton Elrod pounded the Owls for another 179 yards on 24 carries and four scores. The Panthers’ prolific offense also cranked out 28 first downs, committing a mere 3 penalties in the game.
Defensively, the Panthers weathered the initial storm of the Owl offense but still yielded 519 yards through the air. But the team turned it around with key halftime locker room adjustments, limiting Odem to just one score and five first downs. The Owl offense couldn’t find any rhythm in the second half as Blanco’s defense five sacks, forced three turnovers, a fumble recovery by Dylan Bates and interceptions by Jordon Wagner and Carson Kipp.
The Panthers are now making preparations for the Newton Eagles. Newton comes into the game at 11-3 on the season after defeating Rogers last week 32-7. The Eagles have also won playoff games over seventh-ranked Franklin, 49-21; Dublin, 56-13; and New Waverly, 46-6 after going 5-0 in district play. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Waller. The winner of Friday’s game will travel to Arlington to take on the winner of Sonora and Waskom in the 3A Division II State Championship.
Cut 1: #34 Ryan Ronces sacks the Odem quarterback.
Cut 2: #22 Adrien Dominguez hops over an Odem Owl.
Cut 3: An Odem defender attempts to block #17 Aikman Elrod’s PAT.
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