The Blanco Panthers wrapped up homecoming week with a crucial victory over the visiting Comfort Bobcats. Although Comfort was able to slow down the Panthers’ offensive attack, Blanco’s defense turned in another stellar performance as they shut out the Bobcats for the first time in school history. The 22 to 0 win puts Blanco in first place, one game ahead of Harper, in district play.

Blanco looked to get on the board quickly, as senior Layton Dworaczyk returned an errant Bobcat pass for a 47 yard touchdown.  Following a missed PAT, the Panthers had an early 6 to 0 lead. Although Comfort struggled to move the ball all night, the Bobcats’ defense proved to be a solid test for the Panthers, as they kept them out of the end zone for the remainder of the half.  Blanco’s only other points came in the second quarter, when Henry Greathouse sacked the Bobcat quarterback for a nine yard loss and a safety to give the Panthers an 8 to 0 lead at the half.

The Panthers came out strong in the third quarter, putting together a solid drive ending with a four yard run by Dworaczyk.  Once again, Blanco struggled to convert the extra point while having increased their lead to 14 to 0 at the end of three quarters.  In the final quarter, Comfort continued to keep the Panthers’ offense in check. However, Blanco’s defense scored for a third time as Dworaczyk got his second interception of the night, and his third TD following a 37 yard return.  This time on the extra point attempt, Dworaczyk took matters into his own hands and turned a bobbled snap into a 2 point conversion run to close out the scoring at 22 to 0.

Offensively, the Cats held Blanco to just over 170 yards for the night and only 12 first downs. Dworaczyk still managed to top the 100 yard mark for the fifth straight game, rushing for a game high 126 yards on 27 carries.

On the defensive side of the ball, Blanco proved to be too much for the Bobcats, as they held them to just 43 yards total offense and only three first downs.  Although Comfort had proven in previous games to have a potent passing game, the Panthers limited the Bobcats to just 64 yards through the air, while stuffing Comfort’s running game for -21 yards on 21 carries.

Blanco will remain at home this week as they play host to Brooks Academy. Brooks enters Friday night’s game at 0 and 6 on the year following a 55 to 0 loss to Cole last week. The 5 and 1 Panthers look to improve to 3 and 0 in district play as kick-off at Panther Stadium is set for 7:30pm.