Thursday, March 28, 2024

Salado run game derails Gatesville

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 Salado, known for its Slot-T offense, delivered with a relentless ground attack to take a 42-6 victory over the Gatesville Hornets Friday night.

The Hornets fall to 2-4 on the season after dropping the District 9-4A, Div. II opener on homecoming night at Gatesville.

The Slot-T is a tight formation that relies on a lot of fakes to weaving backs and some decisive blocks. It can be very tough to defend.

“Yes it is (tough to defend),’’ Gatesville coach Luke Howard said. “I agree.’’

Salado ran for 441 rushing yards and 471 total offense while the Hornets racked up 193 yards.

Three Salado players stayed busy led by Seth Reavis with 17 carries for 169 yards.

Salado improved to 4-2 (losses to state-ranked teams Stephenville and Grandview). The Eagles are in the early district lead with China Spring and Waco Connally.

Meanwhile the Hornets are deadlocked with Waco Robinson and Jarrell at 0-1 in district.

This week the Hornets square off with district favorite China Spring at Gatesville.

On Friday night, Salado hit on a 69-yard run by

 

Reavis on the first play from scrimmage to set the off the Eagles for a big night running the football.

Salado was relentless on its second drive that ended with a 28-yard run by Aidan Wilson. Daniel Chtay’s extra-point kick with 5:31 on the clock put Salado in command. Wilson added another score from two yards out to build a 21-0 lead at the 9:44 mark of the second quarter.

The Hornets had a chance to get back in the game in the second quarter.

After Hayden Mooney scored on an 8-yard run, quarterback Wesley Brown’s attempt to hit Trevor Smith for two failed with 6:41 left in the half.

On the ensuing possession, the Hornets had the Eagles backed up. Salado hit some big passes to get out of trouble and scored on a 19-yard pass from Hutton Haire to Gavyn Keyser with six seconds left in the half to push the margin to 28-6.

“The score before half time was big,’’ Howard said. “If we hold them, and score on our first possession of the second half, it is a much different ball game. The two penalties on our first possession of the second half killed our drive. We have to continue to get better. We still control our destiny.’’

Salado scoring runs of 48 by Haire and 13 by Kase Maedgen in the second half.

Brown was 13 of 20 passing for 108 yards and the senior also had seven rushes for 37 yards to lead the Hornets offense. Parker Allman had seven receptions for 70 yards.

The defense was paced by Thiele Alvarado with 11 tackles and Cooper Sutton with 7.5 tackles.