By Tim Fleischer
Editor-in-Chief
Salado Eagles defense bent but did not break against the visiting Wimberley Texans, winning 23-9 Oct. 10 to improve to 3-0 in District 13-4A-2. Salado gets a week off before facing the 7-0 and 3-0 Jarrell Cougars 7:30 p.m. Oct. 24 with a possible district championship on the line.
Damonte Foster intercepted a Jackson Parker pass and returned it 30 yards to set up the Eagles at the Wimberley 45-yard line.
On Salado’s next play Devonte Foster, who has been sidelined since the second game of the season, scored on a 45-yard run through the Texan defense. Max Gist gave Salado a 7-0 lead at 9:44 in the second.
After trading possessions, Wimberley’s Adam Sherwood intercepted a Foster pass, giving the Texans the ball at the Salado 46-yard line. The Texans were able to move the ball to the Salado 10 for a first and goal, but the Eagle defense tightened, forcing Wimberley to settle for a 23-yard Bo Holeman field goal with 29 seconds left in the first half.
The teams traded possessions but a bad snap over Carlon Helms’ head and a sack gave the Eagles the ball at the Texan 15-yard line.
Gist hit Landen Noske for a 15-yard strike and then toed the PAT to give Salado a 14-3 lead at 7:51 in the third.
The Texans threatened on the next series, but Owen Gunter broke up a fourth-down pass from the Salado 20 to take over on downs.
Wimberley forced Salado to punt from the Texans’ 46-yard line, resulting in a touchback.
The Texans took advantage and drove 80 yards in nine plays, scoring on a 2-yard dive by Madden Wharton with 8:43 left in the game. Trailing 14-9, the Texans went for 2 points, but Hays Ramsey stepped in front of the receiver and returned the interception the length of the field to give Salado a 16-9 lead.
The Eagles took the ensuing kick and drove 88 yards in 14 plays, eating 6:25 off of the fourth quarter clock, scoring on a 20-yard run by workhorse running back Luke Bingham. Gist made it 23-9 with 1:45 left on the game clock, putting the game out of reach.
Score by quarter
1 2 3 4 F
SHS 0 7 7 9 23
WHS 0 3 0 6 9
Individual stats
Passing: SHS: Devonte Foster, 3-9, 44 yds., 2 INT; Max Gist: 3-4, 38 yds., 1 TD. WHS: Jackson Parker, 18-30, 277 yds., 3 INT;
Rushing: SHS Luke Bingham, 18-135 yds, 2 TDs; Adam Benavides, 1, -1; Devonte Foster, 5-80, 1 TD. WHS: Wesley Mila, 9-27 yards; J. Parker, 8-30 yds.; Carlon Helms, 3-2 yds.; Madden Wharton, 6-24 yds., 1 TD; Joashua Erlenger, 4-19 yds.
Receiving: SHS: Gabe Merriman, 2-17 yds.; Brayden Dildine, 1-28 yds.; Caine Cruddas, 1-16 yds.; Landen Noske, 2-18 yds., 1 TD. WHS: C. Sansalone (Sr) 6-75 yds.; Carlon Helms, 1-9 yds.; Micah Espinoza, 7-101 yds.; Colt Wright 1-58 yds.; Bennett German 2-27 yds.; Joshua Belanger, 1-7 yds.
Salado Defense:
Damonte Foster, 14 tackles, 1 INT; Luke Bauser, 10 tackles; Owen Gunter, 8 tackles, 1 PBU; Miller Gallia and Mason Olson, 8 tackles each; Michael Edmondson, 7 tackles; Ethan Robledo, 5 tackles, 1 INT, 2 PBU;, Zack Adcox, 5 tackles; Hays Ramsey, 4 tackles, 2 INTs; Brooks Mayberry, 4 tackles; Dylan Jimenez, 3 tackles, 2 PBU, 1 caused fumble; Robert Campbell, 2 tackles, 1 INT, 1 PBU; Max Gist, 2 tackles; Landen Noske, 1 tackle, 1 sack; Brayden Dildine, Tyson White, Owen Piatt, Fabian Burleson, and Christian Norcross, 1 tackle each.
Freshmen
Salado freshman Eagles lost to Wimberley 26-32 Oct. 9 to drop to a record of 2-5.
Slayde Rockwell had three TD passes in the game. He connected with Zane Dorrah for a 25 yard pass. He connected with Tristan Hernandez for a 20 yard pass. He connected with Case Mayberry for a 20 yard pass.
Noah Sifuentes ran in a 2 pt conversion. Chase Anderson had a scoop and score as he ran a fumble return for a TD 30 yards in the fourth quarter.
Outstanding Offensive Players were Rockell, Holt Perterson and Noah Sifuentes.
Outstanding Defensive players were Anderson with a fumble return for a TD. Frankie Soto, Gavin Bair and Dean Easley.