Football

By Paul Elrod

7th Grade

Blanco received the kick-off and easily drove to the four yard line, but turned the ball over on a fumble. The defense stuffed the Eagles, and on the 4th down Hunter Goodman blocked the punt in the end zone, with Grant Calzoncit recovering the ball for a TD. Carson Kipp punched in the PAT, and the Panther’s went up 8-0. The Panther ‘D’ forced another punt, and Carson Kipp returned the kick for a TD, but a penalty nullified the return and gave the ball back to the Eagles. Robbie Arlitt made a superb solo tackle and pass break-up in forcing another 3 and out for the defense. Just before the half, Logan Dodd sprinted 19 yards right up the middle on a counter play to make it 14-0 at the break.

In the third quarter, Jake Breeding recovered an Eagle fumble, and Aikman Elrod dashed 23 yards for another Panther TD, making the score 20-0. With less than two minutes remaining in the game, the Eagles got on the scoreboard with a 60 yard TD pass and made a conversion, cutting the lead to 20-8. The Eagles attempted an on-side kick, but Ty Royce recovered the ball and Blanco ran out the clock to end the game.

The 7th grade improved to 7-0, and will face New Braunfels Christian Academy this Thursday in Blanco.

8th Grade

The 8th grade suffered their only loss last season to the Eagles, and Johnson City looked poised to do the same this year at the start of the game. The Eagles returned the kick-off into Panther territory, and then easily ran in for the first score. The PAT failed, and JC was on top 6-0. The Panthers responded quickly, with David Ramirez taking the hand-off on the second play for the offense and going 54 yards for a TD, and Alex Palos passed to David Ramirez for the PAT, putting Blanco on top 14-6 at the end of the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Panther ‘D’ forced three turnovers, with Ryan Edwards recovering an Eagle fumble, and Josh McCaslin making an interception. Blanco exploded on offense, with David Ramirez scoring three touchdowns on runs of 67 and 57 yards, juking, spinning, and breaking tackles all over the field. Ramirez’s third TD of the quarter came on an eight yard interception return just before the half. Alex Palos also dashed 57 yards for another TD, only to have a penalty nullify the score. Palos ran in two PAT’s for the Panthers, and at halftime Blanco led 42-6.

The second half would see the Panthers grind out the clock, with Tyler Clark, Grant Eickenloff, and Dakota Perkins all running hard. The Eagles managed one more score late in the game, but at the end it was Blanco 42, Johnson City 14.

The 8th grade improved to 7-0, and will face San Antonio Christian Academy this Thursday in Blanco.

Volleyball

The 7th Grade A Team won their game vs. Johnson City on October 26 with scores of 25-5 and 25-7. They are District Champions and finished out the year undefeated with an overall record of 12-0 and a district record of 8-0.

The 8th Grade A Team won their game vs. Johnson City with scores of 25-13 and 25-10. They are Co-District Champions and finished the year with an overall record of 11-1 and a district record of 7-1.

8th Grade B Team vs. Johnson City; Scores 25-7, 25-6.