The 8th grade Panthers had a tough battle this past week when they hosted the Comfort Bobcats. Both teams displayed quality offensive and defensive skills. The game ended in a tie; however, this battle could have turned out much differently if it wasn’t for official interference or lack thereof… enough said.

The Bobcats came out charged with a big kickoff return but the Panthers’ defense held and took over on downs and in a few plays QB Jordan Wagner launched one deep to Eddie Torres for a 68-yard touchdown pass, extra point good, Blanco went out front 8-0. Penalties and/or mishaps kept both teams from doing much on either of their next possessions, but late in the first quarter the Bobcats tied up the score 8-8. The Panthers began their next drive at their 38. The drive consisted of a big run by running back Adrian Dominguez, some hard yards gained by running back Chase Horton and then on 3rd and 7 from 13 yards out, QB Jordan Wagner chunked one to tight end Ross Edwards in the end zone for 6; extra point good, Blanco led 16-8. The Bobcats started their next drive from their 30 and with the help of a few personal foul penalties (along with some penalties that weren’t called), the Bobcats were able to tie it up again 16-16. The Panthers started up again on the Bobcats’ 45 but gave the ball up on downs and the Bobcats were able to capitalize again just before the half and go out front 22-16.

The second half began with Blanco’s offense starting at their 46, but could only squeeze out 8 yards before they turned it over on downs; Bobcats picked up at their 46. The Panther defense held the Bobcats on their next drive when on 4th and 3, defensive end Ross Edwards made a tackle for no gain to give the ball back to the Panthers at their 46… again. This Panther drive started off with Adrian Dominguez up the middle for 6, Chase Horton around the left for 12, Horton again for 8 more, Dominguez up the middle for 13, Horton for 3, Dominguez for 20, then finally Horton ran it in from 4 yards out for the touchdown; point after was unsuccessful so the score was tied 22-22. The Panther defense toughened up again during the Bobcats’ next offensive series and forced them to punt. Adrian Dominguez returned it to the Panther 48 where they started their final drive with about 3 minutes left in the final quarter. The drive took the Panthers as far the Bobcats’ 13 yard line, but a missed handoff that allowed a turnover ended the drive. Bobcats took over on the Panther 14 and got as far as the Panther 20 before the clock ran out with the game ending in a tie.

Offense Stats: Dominguez – 10 carries for 84 yards; Torres – 1 carry for 3 yards, 1 reception for 68 yards, 1 touchdown; Horton – 9 carries for 48 yards, 1 touchdown; Edwards – 1 reception for 13 yards, 1 touchdown; Wagner – passing 2 for 5 for 81 yards, 2 touchdown passes.