#COVER1 Mix: How Sonora Kept It's Rich Playoff Tradition Alive

SONORA, TX — Running back Wilson Johnson took no time to get on the board on senior night in Sonora.

The sensational senior took the Broncos first snap of the evening 82 yards up the middle and to the house to start the offensive onslaught.  

The Broncos, who have been held to less than seven points three times this season, exploded for 29 points in the first quarter behind three touchdowns by Johnson.  The RB/LB added a 52 yard scoring run just moments after picking off Johnson City quarterback Wyatt Tumlinson and taking it to the end zone.  

That pick six was the Bronco defenses' second of the first 9 minutes of the game. QB/CB Preston Gonzalez made a beautiful play on an attempted deep pass and reached one hand out for their first interception.  The speedy junior then bolted down the right sideline 53 yards to pay dirt to make it 15-0 less than three minutes into the game.

Even after the Sonora’s second touchdown of the evening things seemed out of reach for the Eagles.  Tumlinson never found a rhythm with his receivers and airmailed several passes that were either just bad throws or errors in communication with his wide receivers.  Besides the two pick sixes, Tumlinson also threw a third interception in the first half that lead to a 6 yard Oscar Gutierrez touchdown run early in the second quarter.

Gutierrez had a very impressive game to compliment Johnson.  The senior showed a tremendous burst up the middle and scored his second TD of the night on a 14 yard dash.  

Johnson City’s offense did get going late in the second quarter.  Tumlinson connected with a handful of receivers on a mix of moderate out routes and comebacks.  Cooper Schnitz added a pair of runs that kept the sticks moving.

The touchdown came on a 6 yard fade pass to Langdon Odiorne in the back left corner of the end zone.  Odiorne fought off defensive pass interference to make the leaping grab.

The score at halftime was 44-7 Sonora.  

After the break, Sonora came out to chew the clock and put a couple more scores on the board.  They did just that as the third quarter flew by and ended with a six yard pass from one quarterback to another.  Gonzalez, who had the pick six in the first quarter, faked a quarterback draw before finding DeLuna in the middle of the end zone wide open.  51-7 Sonora.

Gutierrez kept things going in the fourth and added to his already terrific game by taking a handoff 62 yards for six.  The score pushed the Bronco lead to 58-7 with seven minutes to play.  

Johnson City then made a late push in the fourth quarter.  Tumlinson found Logan Ledger all alone on the right sideline.  Ledger then sprinted to the goal line for a 69 yard touchdown.  15 seconds later, after recovering an onside kick, Tumlinson connected with Odiorne again for a 41 yard score to make it 58-21.

The last ditch effort would be too little too late for the Eagles, however, and Sonora was able to run the clock out.

Final score 58-21 Sonora.

With the exception of Gonzalez’s interception return, every point was scored by a senior.  Wilson Johnson finished with three touchdowns, two rushing, one defensive.  Oscar Gutierrez added three more on the ground, and Aldo DeLuna reeled in another.  All in all, the evening was a dream come true on senior night for Sonora.

The Broncos improved to 4-5 on the season and 2-2 in the 13-3A DII district.  They will travel to Brady to face the Bulldogs next week.  

Johnson City dropped to 2-7 and 1-3 in the district.  They will face Blanco in their final game of the season.