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BASTROP — The Bastrop High School varsity football team continued its impressive 2023 season on Oct. 6 as the Bears dominated rival Cedar Creek High School 34-7 at Bastrop ISD Memorial Stadium.
Following the Bears’ defense stopping the Eagles on fourth-and-one to force a turnover on downs, Bastrop’s very first offensive play was dynamic as junior running back Ladainian Merino took a handoff 44 yards for a touchdown as the Bears took an early 7-0 lead and did not look back from there. On the night, Merino ran all over the Eagles’ defense as he had 17 carries for a whopping 155 yards and one touchdown.
Later in the first quarter, the Bears got on the board again when Bastrop freshman quarterback Weston Nielsen connected on a pass deep with junior wide receiver Keyshon Moore, who made a leaping catch and outraced the Cedar Creek defense for an electrifying 74-yard touchdown reception for another score.
Nielsen also had a second touchdown pass to Moore during the first half and also threw touchdowns to junior wide receiver Jaelyn Gratten and junior tight end James Marshall. Nielsen finished a very efficient 11-of-16 passing for 214 yards and four touchdowns through the air, while Moore hauled in seven receptions for 167 yards and two scores vs. Cedar Creek.
Bastrop (5-2 overall record and 2-1 mark in 5A-2 District 13 play) continues its push to return to the playoffs at 7 p.m. on Friday night as the Bears host San Antonio Veterans Memorial High School for a pivotal game for both squads. The Patriots (4-2 record and 1-1 in district) are coming off a close 28-21 loss at home to Liberty Hill High School.
It was another rough night for Cedar Creek as the Eagles fell to 0-7 on the season. The offense could not get much going on the night as sophomore quarterback Blaze Orr finished with 98 yards passing on 12-of-24 completion attempts. In the second half with the game already out of reach, junior running back Devon James got Cedar Creek on the scoreboard with a short touchdown run to eliminate the shutout and get the Eagles within 34-7.
The Eagles have another tough game ahead of them at 7 p.m. on Friday night as Cedar Creek will travel to take on San Antonio Pieper High School.
