The BYFL Varsity team faced the Wimberley Texans on Saturday for the North Division championship. The Texans kicked off to start the game, and stuffed the Panthers on the first two rushing attempts. But on 3rd down Aikman Elrod passed to Carson Kipp, who made a great catch and run for a 38 yard gain down to the Texan 23. Jake Breeding then ran for 8 yards on the next two carries, and Colton Elrod bolted for a 15 yard TD run. The Panthers converted and led 7-0. Wimberley responded with a 45 yard TD pass, but the extra point was stuffed, leaving Blanco up 7-6.

In the second quarter, Jake Breeding gained 17 yards on a trap play up the middle and the Panthers drove to the Texan 35 before giving up the ball on downs. The Panther D stepped it up with Devlin Moore, Jack Morgan, and Dylan Bates with great tackles, and McKay Adamson on a QB sack. The Texans attempted a pass, but Colton Elrod intercepted, and returned it to set up the Panthers on the 45 yard line. The Panthers again stalled on offense, and turned the ball over on downs. Wimberley struck again on a 47 yard TD pass, but the extra point was stopped, putting the Texans up 12-7. Colton Elrod returned the ensuing kick off down to the Texan 30, and Aikman connected with Jake Breeding for a 10 yard pass down to the 20 when time expired for the half.

On Wimberley’s opening drive to start the 3rd quarter, Colton Elrod picked off the Texans a second time and returned it 25 yards down to the Wimberley 30. The Texans held the Panthers and again took over on downs. Dru Ramirez, Dylan Bates, and Jake Breeding all stepped up for the Panthers, forcing another pass attempt by the Texans to start the last quarter. Colton Elrod then made his third interception on the night, and Blanco started from their own 10 yard line. But the Panthers fumbled a pitch in the backfield, and the Texans recovered at the 9 yard line. Wimberley punched in another score to take a 19-7 lead. Blanco drove to the Texan 30 yard line behind a great catch and run from Devlin Moore, but on a fourth down attempt the Texans intercepted and held the ball to end the game.

The Varsity Team ended the season as the North Division runner up, and all of us coaches were proud of their efforts this season. The Panthers displayed a great defense all season, holding 5 of 7 opponents in the regular season to one score. We would like to thank Frank Hodge and Dirt Works for setting up the Panther tunnel, and the Ruiz’s for bringing the air horn. And special thanks to Bill Tesch and Bryan Wyatt for helping the team with learning the new offense this year.