For the second consecutive year, the Blanco Panthers claimed an easy victory over the visiting Brooks Academy Bengals 72 to 0 for their sixth win of the season. The Panthers’ win sets up a key match-up this week with Harper coming to town. The winner will have the inside track at the district crown.

As for the game with Brooks, Blanco wasted little time in finding the end zone, scoring on 11 of 13 drives, with the two non-scoring drives coming about as a result of the end of the 2nd and 4th quarters of play. Senior Layton Dworaczyk started the scoring for Blanco on a 36-yard scoring pass from QB Tanner Rogers. Dworaczyk then added another TD on a 28-yard run. Cody Barnett converted both extra point attempts to give Blanco a 14 to 0 lead early in the 1st quarter. The Panthers struck one more time in the period, with Dillon Luke hauling in a 5 yard scoring pass. Blanco missed the extra point attempt, making the score 20 to 0 at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, TE Travis McClinton started the scoring via a 59-yard strike from Rogers. Dworaczyk added four straight TDs on runs of 61, 25, 6 and 21 yards. Barnett successfully converted three of the PATs to give Blanco a 53 to 0 halftime lead.

With a running clock in the second half, the Panthers still managed to score three more times. Senior Corey Dowlearn sprinted to the end zone from 30 yards out, while the Rogers to McClinton connection struck for a second time from 15 yards. Finally, Ethan Evans went untouched 49 yards for the final score of the night. Barnett closed out the scoring by converting on 2 of 3 attempts in the second half to make the final score 72 to 0.

Offensively, Blanco picked up 20 first downs and over 500 yards in offense. QB Tanner Rogers had a solid performance connecting on 10 of 12 passes to 5 different receivers for 213 yards and four touchdowns. Rogers’ favorite target proved to be Travis McClinton, with five receptions for 118 yards and two scores. Also having a big night was Layton Dworaczyk, rushing for 179 yards on just nine carries, while scoring six TDs.

Defensively, the Panthers recorded their second straight shutout, while setting team records for allowing no first downs and holding the Bengals to -29 yards in total offense. Blanco also forced interceptions by Cody Barnett and Kyle Garrow in addition to fumble recoveries by Mike Garza and Henry Greathouse.

Friday will prove to be a true test for the Panthers, as Harper comes into the game at 5 and 1, having won 5 straight following a season opening loss. The Longhorns remain undefeated in district play following an easy 41 to 13 win over the Cole Cougars last week. With a win this week, Blanco will clinch a play-off spot while setting up the opportunity to clinch the district title next week at Johnson City. Kick-off at Panther Stadium is set for 7:30pm.