Tuesday, April 30, 2024
Gatesville ran into a hungry Lorena Leopard team Friday and it wasn’t pretty.
The Hornets gave up big plays, including 27 points in the first quarter, en route to a 54-0 defeat on homecoming night for Lorena at Leopard Field.
The Hornets (1-2) managed 134 yards for the night and two missed field goals.
The Leopards (1-2) scored three touchdowns in a three-minute span to take control in the first quarter.
"They were able to hit us on some big plays to No. 7 (Jadon Porter),’’ Gatesville coach Luke Howard said.
Lorena finished with 554 yards and 26 first downs. The Hornets had nine first downs and 132 total yards. The Leopards spread the wealth eight rushers and six receivers.
‘Lorena a very good football team that has the tools to make a deep run this year,’’ Howard said.
The Hornets had 29 rushes for 40 yards.
Quarterback Wesley Brown had 19 carries for 66 yards on the ground.
Parker Allman had nine attempts for minus-19 yards and Cayden Mata had one carry for minus-eight yards.
Banner Allman finished nine of 23 passing for 86 yards while Brown completed one of two passes for six yards.
The defensive leader for the Hornets was Hayden Mooney with 20 total tackles (13 solo).
Lorena led 34-0 at halftime and added long runs of 60 and 82 yards for scores in the third quarter.
“We have to refocus and get back to the fundamentals of what makes us successful,’’ Howard said. “Playing with great effort, enthusiasm, blocking and tackling.’’
The Hornets travel to Hillsboro this Friday looking to snap a two-game skid.
Lorena had narrow losses to Franklin and China Spring before erupting against the Hornets
