Broncos continue on after Homecoming loss

By Sandy Anderberg

The Broncos know their season will be a tough one and they also know they are fighting a ‘numbers’ uphill battle. But as they continue on in the shadow of a tough 20-29 Homecoming loss to Vega, they will persevere and fight as hard as they can for as long as it takes to get their season turned around.

Head coach Gary Jack knows the Broncos could have gotten the win Friday night in Bronco Stadium before a huge alumni crowd if it were not for the turnovers.

“It was tough for us,” Jack said. “We outplayed them everywhere but on the scoreboard. We had six turnovers; and when we do that, it is tough to win.”

The Longhorns struck first with only a few ticks off the clock when they ran the opening kickoff back to the Broncos’ three-yard line and punched it in on the next play. The Broncos did not lay down and quit after the surprise touchdown, but they continued to play hard and fight to take the lead by one point at the break.

Cedrick McCampbell scored on a 50-yard strike from senior quarterback Chance McAnear, and Jo Jo Cartwright added the bonus to grab the momentum at half time.

Vega took advantage of a sluggish third quarter and more turnovers to put 15 points on the board, which went unanswered by the Broncos.

“We gave them opportunities and they took advantage of them,” Jack said. Despite the loss, the Broncos put up impressive numbers racking up 334 total yards with 242 of those yards coming from the arm of McAnear, who, according to Jack, threw the ball well on the night. Jack also noted that the defense did a better job in the game.

“Several guys played well on defense,” Jack said. “Zach Watson, Zack Cornell, David Johnston, Tres Hommel, Bryce Hatley, Zack LaRoe, McCampbell, and Dustin Crump did a good job for us.”

Jack praised the offensive line for their blocking.

“Cornell, Watson, Hommel, Johnston, Montana Hysinger, and Cartwright did a good job. “LaRoe and Charles Mason made some big catches and Mason ran the ball well. The key to their win was our turnovers. We made their job easier. We need to eliminate the turnovers.”

The Broncos will host the Wheeler Mustangs Friday night beginning at 7:30 p.m. Jack knows they will be tough.

“Wheeler will be tough and scrappy,” Jack said. “They always play hard-nosed football and they will be a handful. But we will regroup and be ready for them.”