Tigers muzzle Bulldogs
THORNDALE — Thrall’s offense rolled up 508 yards, while the Tigers’ defense held the Thorndale Bulldogs (09, overall, 0-5 District 13-2A DI) to 185 yards in a 42-14 rout, Friday night. The Tigers, now 6-2 on the season, and 3-1 in district play, are now in a second-place tie, with two games to play.
“Coming in, we knew they had a size advantage, but we also knew we were quicker,” said Thrall Coach Aaron Vanecek. “We came out and lined up in their gaps and were able to stop the run.”
After Thorndale returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown, Thrall needed just one play to answer.
Chance Parker found a streaking Steven Walker behind the Thorndale secondary for a 60-yard scoring strike. Alejandro Estrada’s extra point made the score 8-7 with 11:27 to play in the opening period.
“They came out and returned that opening kick for a score, but our guys didn’t flinch,” Vanecek said. “We came right back out and scored on the long pass play.”
Thrall’s defense, which held Thorndale to zero or fewer yards on three of their eight possessions, forced a threeand-out on the Bulldogs’ first possession.
Parker picked up big yards on quarterback keepers and moved the Tigers from their own 28 to the Bulldog 27 in five plays. C.J. Kelm took a handoff up the middle for a 21-yard gain to the Thorndale six, and on the next play, Parker rolled in for the score. The point after made the score 14-8.
Following a Bulldogs touchdown early in the second quarter to tie the game 14-14, the Tigers regained the lead for good on their next possession, Solid runs by Kelm and a 24yard pass from Parker to Tyler Bonkowski, moved the ball to the Thorndale nine. From there, Parker called his own number and went around the right end for the score. The point after made it 21-14 with 8:21 to play in the first half.
Thrall added to its lead on its next possession.
After holding the Bulldogs on a fourth down play at the Tiger 22, Thrall went 78 yards in 14 plays. Parker found a leaping Walker in the end zone for their second score of the night. This one, from four yards out. The point after gave the Tigers a 28-14 halftime lead.
Thrall High School varsity football senior wide receiver Steven Walker stiff-arms a defender en route to a long touchdown Oct. 20 during the Tigers’ 42-14 blowout victory at rival Thorndale High School. Photo by Larry Pelchat
As the second half got underway, the Tigers picked up where they left off in the first half.
Starting at their own 29, the Tigers rolled over the Bulldog defense, sticking primarily to the ground. Kelm and Parker provided a lethal onetwo punch that moved the ball to the Thorndale 10. From there, Parker went to the air, finding Bonkowski in the end zone for the score, and a 35-14 Tiger lead.
Thrall’s final score came late in the third quarter.
A short Bulldog punt gave the Tigers the ball at the Thorndale 49. First-down runs by Parker and Braylon Hernandez quickly moved the ball into scoring range. Kelm finished off the 49-yard drive with a five-yard dive with 47 seconds left in the third.
“We knew we could do everything we wanted offensively against them,” Vanecek said.
“We were able to run the ball effectively, and they couldn’t stop it.”
The Tigers are still in a good position to claim the second-place playoff spot for District 13-2A DI. They will host the Hearne Eagles (1-7, 0-4) next Friday in their final home game and then conclude the regular season with Schulenburg (4-4, 3-1) Nov. 3.
