The Cuero Gobblers pushed #4 Sinton to the brink of defeat, but fell short in their upset bid against the unbeaten Pirates. The final score was 23-18.
“I think we played good enough to win the game if one or two things go our way. That pass interference was big in the third quarter. That essentially gives them a first down deep in our territory and extends their drive to an eventual score. Turnover on downs there and we’re in business with our offense on the field. I feel like we will see them again in the Regional Finals with a different outcome,” said O-Line Coach Arroyo.
It was a battle of field possession early. Davyon Varela sprang a 40 yard run before being pushed out of bounds deep in Sinton territory. The drive would stall, forcing the Gobblers to punt.
Sinton would take over inside their own 15 yard line. On their first play, Pirate running back Mykha Green fumbled the toss and Landon Pelot was there for the recovery.
A few plays later it was Varela in for the short touchdown run. The two-point attempt was no good. The score was 6-0 Gobblers.
The Gobblers would recover a surprise onside kick and regain possession around midfield. The drive would stall, giving the ball back to Sinton.
The Pirates would drive the ball downfield with runs by quarterback Tristan Handson and Green, along with a pass from Handson to receiver Jacoby James. They would settle for a field goal, making the score 6-3.
Sinton’s offense had trouble holding on to the ball. Handson found Sean Hughes for a long gain but he was stripped by Aiden Strecker. Jace Gamez was there to recover it.
The Gobbler’s offense would stall once again. With less than six minutes before halftime, they were forced to punt.
Sinton would turn the ball over a few plays later. A Sinton receiver caught a pass over the middle but fumbled. Camelo Perez was there to fall on it, giving the Gobblers the ball in Sinton territory.
The Gobblers executed a flawless double- reverse pass from Guajardo to Conner Kubesch for a 35 yard touchdown.
The score was 12-3 at the half.
Sinton opened up the third quarter by chewing up the clock with the run. Quarterback Tristan Handson would move the ball upfield, scoring the first of his three touchdowns. The score was 12-10 with 6:37 left in the third quarter.
On the Gobblers next possession, a Guajardo pass was intercepted by Jonah James. It was the Gobblers first turnover of the night.
The Gobblers had no answer for Handson. His runs set up the Pirates, inside the 5, as time expired in the third. Sinton would take the lead early,in the fourth quarter, on another TD run by the Sinton QB. The score was 17-12.
The Gobblers next possession would stall, forcing another punt. Sinton would take over with 10 minutes to play.
Handson simply would not be stopped. He put Sinton ahead 23-12. Handson finished with 30 carries for 208 yards and three touchdowns.
The Gobblers struck back on their next possession. Guajardo found Walker Dietze for a 34 yard touchdown. The final score was 23-18.
The Gobblers had a Bye Week last week, as they prepared to host the Ingleside Mustangs, Friday.
Coach Arroyo said, “This Bye Week comes in clutch for us, gives us a week to rest and heal up some of the lingering bumps and bruises the boys are dealing with.”
The Gobblers are 5-3 and can clinch a playoff berth with a win.
