Despite 0-9 record, Eagles could get to playoffs

Despite an 0-9 record after losing to La Grange 35-0 on Oct. 29, the Salado Eagles could still make the 4A football playoffs with a win over the 1-8 Smithville Tigers. Salado faces the Tigers at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Eagle Field to determine which team will be the fourth-place team from District 11-4A Div. II.

Smithville’s only win came against the Brookshire Royal Falcons in a non-district game Sept. 18. The Tigers beat the Falcons 44-26. The Falcons are 2-7 on the year.

In district 11-4A play, the Tigers have lost to La Grange 51-13, Caldwell, 42-14 and Giddings 52-14.

The Eagles have been outscored in district 11-4A 153-19 including the 35-0 loss to La Grange. Giddings beat Salado 62-6 and Caldwell outscored the Eagles 56-13. For the year, Salado has been outscored 384-88.

La Grange, which was ranked as high as #2 in early state polls has suffered district losses to Giddings and Caldwell and will be the third place team with a 7-3, 2-2 district record.

Caldwell, 6-3 and 3-0 in district, and Giddings, 9-0 and 3-0 in district, vie for the Championship 7:30 p.m. Nov. 6 at Giddings.

Against La Grange, the Eagles were shut out by a defense that allowed only 105 yards total offense and an offense that scored 28 points in the first half.

The Leopards scored two touchdowns in the first quarter on an 18 yard run by J. Dobbins and a three yard run by Dalton Ward.

Dobbins had long touchdown runs in the second quarter, including a 52 yarder and a 46 yard TD.

In the third quarter, Caleb Stackhouse scored a 15 yard touchdown run.

Cruz Cabrera kicked all five of the extra points for La Grange.

The Leopards had 262 yards rushing, including Dobbins’ 158 yards on 13 carries. La Grange also had 27 yards passing.

Salado had 74 yards on the ground, most of it from Hayden Ebeling, who had 61 yards on 17 carries.

Quarterback Ryan Kyburz threw five completions on 17 attempts for 31 yards passing for the Eagles. He also had three interceptions. Cutter Hudgens caught three passes for 13 yards while Kaden trice caught two passes for 18 yards.

Salado JV 8

La Grange JV 19

Salado JV Eagles dropped to 3-5 on the year when they lost 8-19 to La Grange Leopards on Oct. 28.

Tate Harvey scored the only touchdown for the Eagles on a run of 8 yards.

Holden Ford had two interceptions to lead the Eagles defense. Wyatt Bagley also had a big game for the defense.

The Eagles offense was led by Harvey, Holden Ford and Wren Bagley.

The JV Eagles play Smithville on the road Nov. 5 in the final game of the year.

Freshmen 16

La Grange 0

Salado freshmen beat the La Grange Leopards 16-0 in an Oct. 28 home game. The game was moved from Oct. 29 to Oct. 28 to allow varsity games to be played  early on Oct. 29 to avoid possible flooding issues on Oct. 30.

Caleb Chambliss scored on a one yard quarterback sneak in the second quarter. Jeremy Jarvis added the two-point conversion.

Jarvis scored a touchdown on a three yard run in the fourth quarter. He added the two-point conversion to give the freshmen Eagles the 16-0 lead.

Brandon McEndree, Juan Garza, Wesley Quinn and Clayton Zak, who had an interception, led the defense. Jarvis, Chambliss and Nicholas Deen led the freshmen offense.

8th B 16

La Grange 8th B 0

Salado eighth grade B team beat their counterparts from La Grange 16-0 on Dec. 28 with touchdowns in the first and third quarters.

Tyler Compton returned the opening kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown. Josh Gonzales added a two point conversion with his run for an 8-0 lead.

In the third quarter, Hunter Pannell scored on a 36 yard run. Gonzales added another two points with a three yard dive.

The Eagles are 4-1-2 and face Smithville.

7th A 24

La Grange 7A 12

Salado seventh grade A Eagles outscored their counterparts from La Grange 24-12 with touchdowns in the second, third and final quarters of the game.

Reed Vincent scored on a 51 yard run in the second quarter, but the PAT was no good.

Latrelle Jenkins scored on a 64-yard run, also in the second period. The PAT failed.

Jenkins had another monster run, this time for 60 yards in the third quarter, but the conversion failed.

Vincent ran in a touchdown from the 8 yard line for the final score of 24-12 giving Salado its sixth win of the season.

The seventh graders are 6-1 on the year and face Smithville in the final game of the season on Nov. 5.

The seventh grade B team lost to La Grange 6-0 on Oct. 28.