The Cuero Gobblers delivered an electrifying performance against the Belton Tigers, claiming a nail-biting victory with a final score of 5043 at Gobbler Stadium on Sept. 26.
This clash between the two high school football teams had fans on the edge of their seats, with the game showing star performers on offense and defense.
The game kicked off with Cuero finding themselves in a precarious position early on. After a missed kickoff return placed them at their own one-yard line, the Gobblers quickly faced a three-and-out situation. Punter Jake Janssen’s punt from the end zone landed on Cuero’s 46-yard line. Before long, the Tigers capitalized on this opportunity, scoring their first touchdown of the night with a 16-yard run down the far sideline, taking a quick 7-0 lead.
Struggling initially to gain momentum, the Gobblers’ offense fell flat again shortly after, leading to another Janssen punt. However, Cuero’s defense began to make its mark, forcing a turnover on downs against the Tigers and preventing further scoring as the first quarter ended with the Tigers still holding their lead.
As the second quarter unfolded, the Gobblers found their rhythm. With 10:47 remaining, quarterback Jaxxon Marie connected with Walker Dietze for a touchdown, bringing the score to 7-7. The Tigers responded, showcasing the strength of their running game as their star player, Gino Zecca, wearing #25, scored again, giving Belton a 14-7 lead. But with just 25 seconds left in the half, Marie struck once more, finding Camelo Perez with a precision pass to tie the game 1414 as both teams headed into the locker room. D’zayvin Bonner said “the atmosphere in the locker room at halftime was hyped. Everybody was heads up. Everbody was ready to play.”
The second half commenced with the Tigers receiving the kickoff and quickly moving into scoring range. A field goal pushed them ahead 17-14, but Cuero was relentless. Utilizing strong performances from its offensive line, Perez executed crucial runs that set up Marie for another touchdown connection with Bonner, giving the Gobblers a 21-17 lead.
Belton’s powerful response came swiftly, with Zecca evading defenders and scoring again, surging ahead 24-21. But Cuero was not ready to fold. The Gobblers answered back, and with several key plays, including a 41-yard touchdown run from Jordan Jones, they pulled ahead again, making it 35-24.
Cuero’s cunning play-calling was remarkable, exemplified by a surprising onside kick that caught the Tigers offguard, allowing Kaimarye Lopez to recover the ball. The Gobblers capitalized on this momentum, with Marie finding Dietze once more in the end zone for another score, extending the lead to 42-24 as the game barreled toward the final quarter.
However, the Tigers were not willing to concede just yet. They mounted a determined comeback, with a series of effective plays leading to another score, tightening the gap to 42-37 as the third quarter ended. With the atmosphere electric and fans roaring, the stage was set for a thrilling finish.
As the clock ticked down to 8:50 in the fourth quarter, the Tigers executed a brilliant onside kick recovery, shocking the Gobblers and igniting a surge of hope among their fans. Seizing the momentum, the Tigers quickly went for the score with a long pass that sliced through the Gobblers’ defense. The ball soared between two defenders and landed perfectly in the arms of a waiting receiver, who sprinted into the end zone, taking over the Gobblers’ lead 42-43. Just like that, the Tigers seemed poised to snatch the game away from the Gobblers to avoid a repeat from last year.
However, the Gobblers were not prepared to let the victory slip from their grasp so easily. Quarterback Marie, showing remarkable poise under pressure, took control and orchestrated a masterful drive down the field. Time was running low, with just 1:53 left on the clock, but Marie’s determination shone through. He picked apart the Tigers’ defense, making strategic passes and smart runs before finding himself in position for the game-winning touchdown. With six yards to go, Marie kept the ball himself, muscling through the defensive to score, pushing the Gobblers ahead with a commanding 50-43 lead.
The energy in the stadium was electric as the Gobblers celebrated their hard-fought touchdown. Yet, the Tigers were not finished. With time still left on the clock, they launched one final desperate drive, showcasing their fighting spirit. Fans from both sides were holding their breath as the Tigers moved the ball downfield with precision. Just when it looked like the Tigers might stage a miraculous comeback, disaster struck. With only 20 seconds remaining in the game, the Tigers’ effort came to a heart-stopping end when Aiden Strecker of the Gobblers made a spectacular interception, silencing the Tigers’ hopes and effectively sealing the game for the Gobblers. The final score stood at 50-43, a testament to the grit and determination of the Gobblers, who fought fiercely to retain their lead even in the face of adversity. Bonner noted “We stuck together and played as a team, nobody got down. We just put it all together.”
Looking ahead, the Gobblers will face a non-district match-up against Harlingen on Friday, October 3, at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen.
Jaxxon Marie throw a deep pass in the Homecoming Game vs. Belton on Friday, Sept. 26. Photo courtesy of Myranda Trentman-Shaffer
