In a heated clash for the Regional-Semi Finals, the Cuero Gobblers faced off against the Rockport-Fulton Pirates in an exciting matchup that had fans on the edge of their seats Friday, Nov. 28.
The atmosphere was filled with anticipation, as both teams entered the game with strong records. Cuero boasted an impressive 11-1 record, while Rockport, with an 8-4 record, aimed to pull off an upset for a second time.
Rockport won the toss and deferred their possession to the second half, granting the Gobblers an early opportunity to set the tone of the game. Cuero wasted no time, efficiently managing the clock during their first possession, chewing up five and a half minutes. The Gobbler drive culminated in a perfectly executed play, as quarterback Jaxxon Marie connected with wide receiver Walker Dietze in the corner of the end zone, putting Cuero on the scoreboard first with a 7-0 lead.
Rockport’s response began at their own 35-yard line, where they showed early signs of promise with a mix of runs and a 9-yard pass. However, facing a pivotal fourth-andfive, the Pirates were denied by the Gobblers’ staunch defense, resulting in a turnover on downs that shifted momentum back to Cuero. The Gobblers quickly capitalized on this opportunity, advancing down the field once more. However, as the first quarter drew to a close, disaster struck for Cuero when their possession ended abruptly; a fumble in the end zone leaving them empty-handed.
The second quarter began with Rockport on the 20-yard line, but a moment of misfortune struck again—this time for the Pirates—when they were intercepted by Cuero’s Kaimarye Lopez, providing the Gobblers yet another chance to extend their lead. Taking full advantage of the miscue, Cuero’s Jordan Jones powered through for a touchdown, bringing the score to 14-0 with just under 10 minutes left before halftime.
However, the spirited Pirates refused to be dismissed and responded fiercely. On their subsequent drive, Rockport’s Jaxon Keown made a spectacular sweep to find the end zone, scoring with 5:02 remain in the second quarter. An attempted extra point failed, leaving the score at 14-6 in favor of Cuero.
The Gobblers struck back almost immediately with a gamechanging play when Mayson Ybarra recovered Rockport’s onside kick successfully. Seizing the moment, Cuero executed a rapid drive capped off by Camelo Perez’s one-yard rush into the end zone, further extending their lead to 21-7 after Angel Perez’s successful extra point with only four minutes left in the half.
As the clock wound down, the Pirates quickly switched gears and mounted a commendable drive, culminating in a quarterback keeper by, Reid Snyder, that put them within striking distance. Opting for a two-point conversion following a critical Gobbler penalty, Rockport succeeded in narrowing the gap to 21-14.
With only 42 seconds left, Cuero attempted to extend their lead, but a controversial flag halted their momentum. The half concluded with the Gobblers holding a precarious 21-14 lead, and fans from both sides were left filled with anticipation for the thrilling second half ahead.
After an intense first half, which saw both teams locked in for the game, the second half started off with an explosive play that set the tone for the final moments of the game. Rockport’s Traey Alvarado broke through the Gobblers’ defense, quickly leveling the score at 21-21 just three plays into the half.
But the Gobblers were far from rattled. Led by their poised quarterback, Marie, the team quickly regrouped. With a masterful mix of strategic runs and precise passes, they orchestrated a drive that took 3 crucial minutes off the clock and put them back in front 28-21.
As the game progressed, the Gobbler defense ramped up their intensity. Jordan Jones emerged as a defensive superstar, making a stunning interception in the end zone and returning it for a notable 14 yards. Moments later, Marie again connected, this time with Dietze, who secured a touchdown in the back of the end zone, extending the Gobbler’s lead to 34-21.
However, the Pirates were not ready to surrender just yet. With a glimmer of hope, they capitalized on a costly face mask penalty against the Gobblers, giving them a second chance. From 13 yards out, Rockport’s Alvarado managed to break through again, bringing the score to 34-27 after a blocked extra point attempt by the Gobblers, which kept the intensity with only six and a half minutes remaining in the game.
In a crucial turn of events, Perez’s recovery of the onside kick reinvigorated the Gobblers. Fueled by the momentum, Marie showcased his versatility with a mix of four carries that drove the team to the 14-yard line. Jones demonstrated his offensive abilities by taking the ball across the goal line, extending the Gobblers’ lead to 14 points.
With just 2:30 left on the clock, the Pirates mounted a final effort to score, but the Gobbler defense stood firm, forcing a turnover on downs. Perez capped off the thrilling game with an impressive run from the 28-yard line, solidifying the Gobblers’ victory at 48-27.
As the clock ticked down to just 1:06 remaining, Aiden Strecker solidified the win with yet another interception, leaving the Pirates with no chance for a comeback.
With this hardfought win, the next challenge awaits the Gobblers. They will face the Sinton Pirates again on Dec. 5 at Heroes Stadium in San Antonio. The stage is set for a rematch, and one can only imagine the atmosphere as fans come together to cheer for their teams. The last meeting with Sinton, the Gobblers prevailed 57-56 on a blocked extra point as time expired.
Jaxxon Marie and Walker Dietze holding the Regional Semi-Final trophy after defeating Rockport Fulton at Buccaneer Stadium.
Photo by Mike Cantu
