SCHULENBURG — Schulenburg’s early success running the ball, and a late defensive stand helped the Shorthorns (5-5 overall, 4-2 District 13-2A) to a 42-35 win over the Thrall Tigers (6-4, 3-3) Friday night at Shorthorn Stadium.
“I was proud of how the team battled back,” said Thrall Coach Aaron Vanecek.
“Luke Pearson, Dawson Meiske, and Anthony Sandoval stepped up on the defensive line when we needed them. But, we had a couple of plays that got away from us.”
The Shorthorns got on the board first with a 72-yard drive.
Quarterback Aaron Janecek and running back Rodney Walton made for a tough combination as the Horns marched down the field. But it was Janecek’s 10-yard pass to Tavondrick Ellison that capped the drive.
The point after made the score 7-0.
The Tigers answered quickly. It took Thrall just three plays to go 72 yards and knot the score at seven. Chance Parker connected on a 36-yard pass to Landon Gregory to start the drive, then picked up a dozen yards on the next play. He capped the drive with a 26-yard scamper around the right end.
Schulenburg answered back with a nine-play, 67-yard drive. Janecek picked up most of the yardage on the ground, including a five-yard scoring run with 2:21 to play in the first quarter. The Horns led 14-7 after one quarter of play.
Thrall seemingly had the Horns’ offense stopped on the next series. Schulenburg faced a fourth and five at their own 35 and opted to go for it. Thrall was flagged for offsides, giving the Horns a new set of downs. Schulenburg’s drive continued and Walton’s six-yard run put the Horns up 21-7 with 8:24 to play in the half.
Thrall responded with a 63-yard drive of its own on the Tigers’ next possession. Parker picked up good yardage on multiple runs but connected with Breken Proctor on a 21-yard scoring pass to cap the drive and cut the Horns’ lead to 21-14 with 6:32 on the clock.
The flurry of second-quarter scores continued on Schulenburg’s next possession. The Horns’ potent ground game moved the ball 55 yards in just seven plays with Walton scoring from six yards out at the 3:08 mark of the second quarter.
Not to be outdone, the Tigers added another score with 1:36 to play in the half. Parker’s legs carried the Tigers to the Horn 10. From there, Parker went to the air, connecting with Tyler Bonkowski on a 10-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 28-21 at the half.
Schulenburg extended its lead to 35-21 on the Horns’ first possession of the second half.
Continuing to utilize the ground attack, the Horns went 85 yards in eight plays. The final 18 came through the air when Janecek hit Byron Johnson on a crossing route for the score.
The momentum seemed to swing to the Tigers’ side of the field late in the third quarter. Thrall forced a punt and proceeded to drive 56 yards in nine plays to cut into the Schulenburg lead.
Parker again went to the air, this time to Gregory for a 10-yard score that cut the lead to 35-28 just four seconds into the fourth quarter.
A Steven Walker leaping interception gave the Tigers the ball back at their own 31 with 9:41 to play.
Staying mostly on the ground, the Tigers moved the ball 64 yards in 10 plays to the Horns’ five. Parker called his own number on second and goal, diving in for the score to tie the game at 35 with 6:30 to go.
The Thrall High School varsity football defense closes in to make a tackle Oct. 20 during the Tigers’ 42-14 road victory against Thorndale High School. Photo by Larry Pelchat
“I thought we did a better job adjusting to the run in the second half,” Vanecek said.
“Our coaches and players adjusted to slow the run down and let us get back in the game.”
Schuleburg continued to rely on the run on its next possession.
The Horns were able to get big runs from Walton and Janecek to keep the drive alive. Finally, on third and goal at the one, Janecek dove in for the score and a 42-35 lead with 1:52 on the clock. Thrall made one final drive, moving the ball to the Schulenburg 22, but Parker was sacked with three seconds to play and the Horns held on for the win.
The win puts the Weimar Wildcats in second place behind district champion Holland. Schulenburg finishes third, and the Tigers finish fourth.
The Tigers will play the Mason Punchers (10-0) in bi-district Thursday at 7 p.m. in Marble Falls.
