The Blanco Panthers looked to build on their two-game winning streak this past Friday when they hosted Sonora in their final non-district game. However, the visiting Broncos took a second quarter lead and pulled away late to hand the Panthers a 16 to 9 defeat.

After a scoreless first quarter, both teams managed to put points on the board late in the first half of play. Sonora struck first on a 34-yard field goal. The Panthers avoided a first half shutout with just 33 seconds remaining, as the Blanco defense forced the Broncos QB into a safety to make the score 3 to 2 at halftime.

The third quarter finally saw a touchdown scored, as Sonora’s QB bulled his way into the end zone from just a yard out. A failed PAT left the score at 9 to 2 in favor of the Broncos. Sonora crossed the goal line again late in the fourth quarter on a 27-yard pass play. The Broncos converted the PAT to close out their scoring at 16.

Blanco finally scored again late in the game when QB Tanner Rogers hit Sam Isenberg for a 40-yard scoring play. TJ Raby converted the PAT to make the final score 16 to 9, dropping the Panthers’ record to 2 and 3.

Offensively, Tanner Rogers led the Panthers with 140 yards passing on nine completions to Colton Childress, Matt Pepper and Sam Isenberg. Tyler Brown filled in for an injured Tim Goodman and led Blanco in rushing with 27 yards on six carries.

On the defensive side of the ball, Blanco limited the Broncos to just 83 yards rushing while forcing one turnover, a Tyler Brown interception.

The Panthers will be open this week before hosting the Ingram Warriors to open district play on Friday, October 7 at 7:30pm.