BALLINGER, TX — Despite losing their starting quarterback and running back before Week 1 was finished, the Ballinger Bearcats are showing what they’re made of.
The Bearcats won their homecoming game Friday 27-6 against San Angelo TLCA for back-to-back victories.
Ballinger lost starting QB Wyatt Clemens to a broken leg in a 38-26 season-opening loss to Merkel. Clemens was looking extremely promising after going 11-of-20 for 250 yards and three touchdowns before the injury.
Running back Aiden Pena, who had nearly 900 rushing yards last year, was sidelined before the season began with spinal stenosis.
Those were significant losses that have affected the team and first-year head coach Bryan Gayoso, but they gutted out a 13-6 win over Christoval last week, and they were again led by their defense against TLCA.
Ballinger limited the Eagles to only 146 yards of offense.
The offense was highlighted by Manny Gonzales turning a short pass from Coleman King into a 57-yard TD. Braden Belk and Pierson Nord each had 38 rushing yards. Belk had a TD run.
Ballinger (2-1) will visit Brady next week, while TLCA will be open before hosting Merkel on Sept. 26.
Winters Gets First Win Against Sterling City
The Winters Blizzards earned their first win of the year and the first of Ryan Pannell’s head coaching career with a 24-14 victory at home over Sterling City.
Coy Martinez threw for 148 yards and three TDs, with all of the scoring tosses going to Nolan Martinez, who had five catches for 100 yards.
Mark Moreno added 16 carries for 51 rushing yards.
Winters (1-2) will play at Iraan next week. Sterling City (0-3) will travel to Christoval.
Grape Creek Falls Short Against Bangs
The Grape Creek Eagles were clipped 31-26 on the road by Bangs.
Darrell West continued his breakout season with 12 carries for 115 yards and a TD, along with a 34-yard catch.
Braley Woods was 7-of-15 passing for 177 yards, and he threw three TD passes, all of them to Ashton Ortiz, who had three catches for 79 yards.
Ortiz also had 10 tackles, 0.5 sacks, a tackle for loss and blocked a punt.
Grape Creek (1-2) will host Colorado City next week, while Bangs (1-2) will be at home against Abilene TLCA.
Robert Lee Keeps Rolling With Win Over Ira
The Robert Lee Steers remained unbeaten with a 60-14 win over Ira that was over by halftime due to the 45-point mercy rule.
Brenner Sherwood had nine carries for 175 rushing yards and two TDs, and he was 4-of-8 passing for 52 yards and a TD.
He also had two interceptions on defense, one of which he returned for a score, along with seven tackles. He was 6-of-8 on PAT kicks.
Josh Garcez also had two INTs for the Steers and returned one for a TD.
Robert Lee (3-0) will play at Blackwell next week, while Ira (1-2) will host O’Donnell.
Other Week 3 Scores
San Angelo Central 40, Abilene Cooper 35
San Angelo Lake View 44, Lamesa 27
Ozona 46, Brady 32
Christoval 44, McCamey 12
Sonora 26, Eldorado 14
Mason 50, Coleman 9
Goldthwaite 49, San Saba 34
Junction 34, Early 14
Johnson City 49, Miles 6
Odessa Compass 41, Reagan County 8
Odessa Permian 38, Abilene High 21
Richland Springs 54, Nueces Canyon 8
Sands 58, Garden City 8
Water Valley 61, Panther Creek 6
Irion County 65, Midland Holy Cross 20
Eden 64, Lometa 14
Paint Rock 60, Olfen 14
Bronte 54, Veribest 8
Roby 37, Blackwell 7
May 63, Rochelle 8
Menard 68, Rocksprings 8
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