BALLINGER, TX — The Ballinger Bearcats erased a 14-point deficit, then rallied again in the fourth quarter to beat longtime rival Brady 40-35 on an exciting homecoming night in Ballinger.
Ballinger quarterback Wyatt Clemens had a stellar performance with six touchdown passes, including four to Hunter Kresta.
The Bearcats fell behind 28-14 but got back in the game when Clemens found Pierson Nord for a short TD strike with just 2 seconds left before halftime.
Clemens then hit Hunter Peacock for a long TD pass to tie the game at 28-28 early in the third quarter.
Ballinger took a 34-28 lead when Clemens found Kresta for another TD pass, but Brady regained the lead when Blane James connected with Kaleb Hinton for a score midway through the third quarter, and Brady took a 35-34 lead into the fourth quarter.
Early in the fourth, Kresta took a short pass, cut back across the field and raced all the way for an 80-yard TD that put the Bearcats on top 40-35 for what proved to be the winning score.
Ballinger’s defense came up with a huge stop near the goal line to help seal the win when Brody Wilde tipped a pass that was intercepted by Kresta with about four minutes remaining.
The Bearcats were then able to run out the clock for a big win in a rivalry that began exactly 100 years ago back in 1926. It ended a five-game losing streak for Ballinger against Brady.
“We always preach to our kids, play the next play, regardless if we make something good happen or something bad happens,” Ballinger head coach Bryan Gayoso said. “We got down 28-14, and the guys kept fighting. The defense really stepped up in the second half, and we got it going offensively. I’m super proud of our guys for fighting until the end.”
Ballinger improved to 3-1 and will travel to Reagan County next week to kick off District 4-2A Division I play.
Brady fell to 0-4 after another loss in which the team was competitive before the game slipped away in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs will be off next week before hosting Llano.
Robert Lee Runs Past Sterling City
The Robert Lee Steers earned an impressive 73-49 win over up-and-coming Sterling City on Friday.
Robert Lee lost nearly everyone from last year’s state quarterfinalist, while Sterling City is looking to regain its status as one of the state’s top six-man programs after dropping back down after four years in 11-man.
It was difficult to know who would have the upper hand in this matchup, but Robert Lee jumped in front early and never let up.
The Steers had a 43-14 lead by late in the second quarter, and Sterling City was never able to get closer than 18 the rest of the way.
Robert Lee’s Malachi Wauqua ran for 273 yards and four TDs on 31 carries, and he threw for 113 yards and two TDs on 10-of-17 passing.
Major Smith had three catches for 63 yards and two TDs, and he forced a fumble on defense.
Kris Molinar had a 32-yard interception return for a TD, a fumble recovery for a TD, and recorded seven tackles. Josh Garcez had eight tackles and a forced fumble, and he had a TD run.
Sterling City’s Demarcus Johnson had three TD runs. Vance Davis had two TD runs and a TD catch.
Robert Lee (2-2) will visit Garden City next week, while Sterling City (2-2) will travel to Rankin.
Miles Holds Off Eldorado
The Miles Bulldogs found themselves in another close game Friday and clipped Eldorado 28-22.
All four of Miles’ games this year have been decided by 12 points or less. The Bulldogs were coming off a 45-43 double-overtime loss last week against Reagan County
Miles was led by Ryder Satepauhoodle, who had 11 carries for 120 yards and a TD.
Liam Yancy threw for 186 yards and two TDs on 11-of-22 passing, and he added eight tackles on defense. Kane Brock had five catches for 108 yards and a TD, along with nine tackles, two tackles for a loss and a sack.
Kaden Karmany also had a TD grab and an INT on defense.
Jaxton Bogs returned a kickoff for a TD, and he added three catches for 55 yards.
Cutter Travis led the defense with 15 tackles, including 11 solos and five tackles for loss, He also had a sack and a QB hurry.
Jaylen Flores had three tackles for loss and a sack, while Caleb Guzman had eight tackles and two tackles for loss.
Miles (2-2) will travel to Stamford next week to begin District 7-2A Division II play. Eldorado (1-3) will host Coleman next week.
Winters Tops TLCA Abilene for First Win
The Winters Blizzards picked up their first win of the season by beating TLCA Abilene 36-24.
The offense was led by Caleb Rutherford, who had 12 carries for 76 yards and three TDs, along with Nolan Martinez, who had seven carries for 101 yards and a TD catch.
Quarterback Julian Perez had 22 carries for 73 yards and a TD, and he recovered a fumble on defense.
John Pierce anchored the defense with eight tackles, two tackles for loss and two sacks.
Malachi Westbrook had seven tackles, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery.
Jayton Flores had an interception, and Woody Rios and Malcolm Roriguez each forced a fumble.
Winters (1-3) will travel to play No. 9-ranked Goldthwaite next week to start District 7-2A Division II play.
Other Week 4 Scores
San Angelo Central 42, El Paso Montwood 7
San Angelo Lake View 35, Pecos 24
Sonora 50, TLCA San Angelo 14
Water Valley 72, Klondike 58
McCamey 38, Reagan County 22
Colorado City 35, Grape Creek 0
Littlefield 62, Christoval 21
Albany 31, Coleman 8
San Saba 60, Center Point 0
Mason 62, Junction 8
Blackwell 96, Veribest 63
Borden County 82, Rankin 36
Irion County 61, Bronte 16
Leakey 40, Paint Rock 6
Lohn 56, Olfen 29
Lometa 57, Rochelle 36
Menard 59, Zephyr 14
Panther Creek 46, Eden 20
Sands 98, Garden City 54
Richland Springs 53, May 28
Rocksprings 47, Nueces Canyon 0
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