Broncos outplay, outlast Booker

By Sandy Anderberg

 The Broncos needed every bit of the clock to stay one step ahead of the Kiowas in their 59-56 win on the road Friday night. Despite a desperate effort on Booker’s part to take the lead and the win, the Broncos stayed strong and finished the game with the three-point advantage.

 In a game full of offense and 115 combined points, the Broncos stayed solid even after relinquishing a huge lead to the Kiowas late in the game. A couple of fumbles for the Broncos could have been disastrous, but they were determined to take the win.

 “It was a wild and crazy game,” head coach Gary Jack said. “We were leading by 25 points with ten and a half minutes to go, and they kept chunking it at us. They ended up scoring three times in the fourth quarter. It was a hard offense to slow down.”

 Booker capitalized on fumbles committed by the Broncos and put points on the board to narrow the gap.

 “We played hard,” Jack said. “Our line did a great job blocking. Adam Topper, Rowdy Speed, Austen McNelly, J.D. Baxter, Tres Hommel, John Pigg, and Tyler Burch played hard. Trajen Johnson and Ryan Isbell did a good job blocking in the backfield as well. We tried to use the clock by running the ball, and they had trouble stopping our offense. It was a good way to end our non-district games. They are a good team.”

 Baxter recorded 16 tackles, a blocked punt, and an interception and Chance Rowland had five tackles. Trevor Cobb posted eight tackles, one sack, and two interceptions, while Diego Santos had 10 tackles and one fumble recovery. Johnson racked up seven tackles, Corey Barker had two tackles and one sack, and Jonah Sell had seven tackles. Isbell had seven tackles and one fumble recovery and Chance McAnear earned four tackles.

 Tyler Burch had six tackles and one fumble recovery, Jordan Stone had two tackles, and Adam Topper had three tackles. Offensively, Charles Mason was on fire and carried the ball 42 times for a total of 321 yards and six touchdowns. His seventh touchdown of the night came on a 78-yard kickoff return. The Broncos had 384 total yards.

 The Broncos will have a much-deserved rest next week and will begin their district season October 12 at home against West Texas High beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Bronco Stadium.

 (Note that all District games will begin at 7:00 p.m.)