Marble Falls can't overcome second quarter meltdown
Mustangs fall to 0-2 in district play going into bye week. Alamo Heights, Boerne Champion and Dripping Springs are all 2-0 at the break.
By Mark Goodson
Highlander Sports Editor
Medina Valley turned the tide in the second quarter with a blocked punt and a key interception to score 21 points in less than four minutes late in the quarter to take command of the District 26-5A football game between the Panthers and the Marble Falls Mustangs Friday in Castroville.
The Panthers (3-2, 1-1) made the plays when they needed them and Marble Falls had no answer after giving up an early 14-0 lead in the game.
Medina Valley went on to win, 35-21.
Marble Falls (2-3, 0-2) trailed by just a touchdown at halftime, but the Mustangs cane out cold. A penalty on the opening kickoff gave Medina Valley excellent field position to start the third quarter.
The Panthers started their drive at the Mustangs 49 and wasted little time re-establishing their power running attack. The Panthers scored in eight plays with senior quarterback Ethan Dowell hitting Caytan Chang on a sideline pattern for a scored from 17 yards. With the PAT kick, the Panthers were ahead, 28-14.
The Mustangs, who ran the ball effectively all night, turned the ground game and netted one first down before the drive stalled. The Mustangs punted away on fourth-and-four form the 45.
Marble Falls was able to cut the lead to 28-21 on a Cooper Wilson run of three yards on the second play of the fourth quarter. Than drive covered 54 yards in seven plays and was set up by an interception by Jesse Garrison.
Once again, the Mustangs couldn't slow down the Panthers, who finished with 43 rushes for 226 yards behind their big offensive line. The Panthers sealed the outcome with a 13-play, 49-yard drive eating up more than seven minutes of clock time.
The Mustangs also misfired on a good chance when Andrew Stripling and Keegan Deering tried to hook up on a deep pattern across the middle with just under four minutes left. Deering couldn't hang on for the catch on a fourth--and-five try from midfield.
For complete coverage, please read Tuesday's Highlander.
