Football fans gathered at Boggus Stadium in Harlingen to witness a clash between the Cuero Gobblers and Harlingen Cardinals on Friday, Oct. 3.
The game delivered exciting moments and showcased the determination of both teams, but in the end, it was the Gobblers who triumphed with a 35-27 victory, moving them to an impressive 6-0 record as they head into district play.
The game kicked off with a bang as Carmelo Perez made an explosive run, taking the ball straight up the middle for a phenomenal 64-yard touchdown. This impressive play set the tone for the Gobblers, who quickly built a commanding lead of 7-0. As the first quarter progressed, Cuero continued to assert their dominance with a powerful one-yard run by D’zayvin Bonner, pushing the score to 14-0.
The Gobblers kept the momentum going in the second quarter, bringing the crowd to its feet with an incredible one-handed catch by Chris Mathis in the back of the end zone. This outstanding play came from just four yards out and extended Cuero’s lead to 21-0. The Cardinals, however, showed their determination and managed to respond with a oneyard touchdown run, but a blocked extra point left them trailing at 21-6.
The Gobblers were relentless, and Jaxxon Marie connected with Jordan Jones for a ten-yard run, elevating the score to 28-6 before halftime. The first half ended with the Gobblers feeling confident and in control as they headed into the locker room.
The Cardinals emerged from halftime with renewed vigor, and they wasted no time in making their presence known. Quarterback Hassan Woolery dashed for a 19-yard run, bringing the score to 28-12 after a failed two-point conversion attempt. However, the Gobblers were not ready to let their lead slip away. Marie quickly responded by connecting with Walker Dietze for a 17-yard touchdown pass, extending the Gobblers’ advantage back to 35-12.
As the fourth quarter commenced, the tension in the stadium heightened. The Cardinals mounted a fierce comeback, starting with a oneyard touchdown run accompanied by a successful two-point conversion that narrowed the gap to 35-20. The Gobblers faced a setback when they fumbled on the one-yard line while attempting to score again, giving the Cardinals a glimmer of hope. Woolery exploited this opportunity, racing down the left sideline for an impressive 82-yard touchdown, making the score a much tighter 35-27.
In a nail-biting moment, the Gobblers’ hands team successfully recovered the ensuing onside kick, allowing them to regain possession. With their defense holding strong, Cuero managed to run out the clock, securing their victory at 35-27. Marie finished the night with impressive stats, completing 17 of 33 passes for 225 yards. Perez was a standout on the ground, rushing for 149 yards on 12 carries, while Jones added 65 yards on 15 attempts. “Our running backs continue to improve from week to week. I am proud of the effort they are putting in at practice, and the results are showing up on Friday nights,” Coach Doug Patek noted. Dietze emerged as the star receiver, tallying eight catches for 161 yards, demonstrating his pivotal role in the Gobblers’ offense.
With this victory, the Cuero Gobblers are ready to enter district play with confidence as they prepare for their next matchup against Rockport on Friday, October 10, at Pirate Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7:00 PM. Fans can expect another great night of high school football as the Gobblers look to maintain their perfect record.l
