It was an ugly start for the BYFL Blanco JV Blue Panthers when they took on Dripping Springs Maroon Tigers this past weekend. The Tigers were able to successfully recover two on-side kicks and scored both times putting them out in front of the Panthers 13-0. The Panthers started playing a little tougher once two scores down. The defense stepped up and kept anything from getting around the end. It wasn’t until late in the second quarter when the Panther’s offense finally surfaced with a quick out pass from Quarterback Jackson Fordyce to Justin Williams; Williams ran 65 yards for the score. Key blocks by Chase Horton and Brandon Phipps allowed Williams to get open enough to out-run everyone else.

Down 13 to 7 going into the second half, the Panthers were ready to apply the half-time support given by their coaching staff. Some minor modifications to the Panthers offense put the power back into their running game. The Panthers were now moving the ball and later in the third quarter, Ryan Ronces ran off tackle 45 yards for the Panthers second touchdown. Ronces also tacked on the extra point putting the Panthers on top 14 tp 13. This offensive surge was due to the intensity of the front line made up of Ross Edwards, Griffin Weardon, Ian Kirkland, Hunter Riley, Evan Bailey, and Brandon Phipps. The second half ground game also included Halfback Jordan Wagner. Wagner racked up over 100 yards while trading off blocking assignments with Fullback Ryan Ronces. Key executions made by Quarterback Jackson Fordyce and Wingback Chase Horton along with Split-end Mathew Ledesma also contributed to the Panthers second half ground game. The Panthers were marching down the field again on their way to another score, but a fumble interrupted their charge, which allowed the Tigers to get possession of the ball on their own 20-yard line.

The Panthers defense remained persistent the remainder of the fourth quarter. Diligent containment executed by Cornerbacks Jeremy Kindla and Jackson Fordyce shut down any attempts the Tigers made to get outside. The interior defense made up of Ryan Ronces, Brandon Phipps, Gabe Guerrero, Ross Edwards, Hunter Riley, Hayden Calzoncit, Kameron Martinez, Jordan Wagner, Ian Kirkland, and Chase Horton kept anything from getting up the middle or off tackle and Safety Justin Williams shut down their passing attempts. The Tigers were forced to turn the ball over [on downs] with about two minutes left on the clock. For the second week in a row, the Panthers were able to seal their victory by running out the clock; and defeated the Tigers 14 to 13.