The 8th graders followed suit in their game, receiving the kick off and marching right down the field behind Alex Palos, gaining 34 yards on two carries, a pass from Kyle Sauceda to Dakota Perkins, and David Ramirez scoring on a fifteen yard run. The PAT was no good, leaving Blanco up 6-0. Solo tackles by Kyle Sauceda and Mason LeBlanc gave Blanco the ball after a three and out. Grant Eickenloff pounded out 34 yards on four carries, and David Ramirez ran in from seven yards out for the second TD. The PAT pass from Sauceda to Ramirez was good to put Blanco up 14-0. The defense forced another punt for the Cougars, and the Panthers marched the field again behind hard running from Dakota Perkins, David Ramirez, and Grant Eickenloff. Kyle Sauceda passed to Alex Palos for the third TD, and Sauceda ran in the PAT, leaving the score 22-0 at the half.

In the third quarter, the Cougars mounted a drive, but were quickly stopped by an interception from Dakota Perkins. The Panthers turned the ball over on a fumble, but Tyler Lieck gave possession right back to Blanco by recovering a Cougar fumble. Blanco was unable to sustain a drive and punted. On the Cougars’ final possession, David Ramirez recorded two tackles for losses, and Spencer Moore and Mason LeBlanc made stops for no gain. Blanco’s final possession would see Tyler Clark and Alex Palos rush the Panthers down to the four yard line. The Panthers chose to kneel out the clock instead of scoring another TD. The Junior High teams will face the School of Excellence in Blanco next Thursday.