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The Elgin and Bastrop varsity football teams returned to district play last week, with the Bears continuing their dominant stretch and Wildcats still searching for their first win of the season.
WILDCATS
Elgin fell 65-0 to Liberty Hill Oct. 10, marking the third time this season the Wildcats have been held scoreless. The loss dropped Elgin to 0-6 overall and 0-3 in district play.
Turnovers again hindered the Wildcats’ offense. Senior Jeremiah Nicholson and junior Trey Flores split time at quarterback, combining for three interceptions and a fumble.
Senior Michael Mejias led the offense with 18 carries for 78 yards, while Nicholson added 48 yards on 17 carries.
Defensively, Elgin struggled to contain Liberty Hill’s slot-T attack, surrendering touchdown runs of 37 and 77 yards in the first quarter to fall behind 16-0. The Panthers added four more rushing scores before halftime as Elgin’s offense struggled to sustain drives.
The Wildcats’ exhaustion on the back foot was clear and the Panthers were able to break away for explosive runs with little resistance. Liberty Hill added three second-half touchdowns under a running clock.
The Elgin roster has now allowed an average of 55 points per game in district play. The boys will need to solve their gaps in play if they are to secure their first win at Crockett Thursday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m.
BEARS
Bastrop continued its impressive season with a 62-18 win over Pflugerville Connally on Thursday.
Junior quarterback Weston Nielsen led the way with 297 passing yards and six touchdowns. His top target was senior utility player Gary Jefferson, who recorded 95 receiving yards and a touchdown, along with 208 rushing yards for two scores.
The Bears built a quick 21-3 first-quarter lead as Nielsen connected twice with junior receiver Zac Wilkinson and Jefferson broke free for an 81-yard rushing touchdown. Bastrop’s defense held strong with two key goal-line stands, holding Connally to a field goal on one drive and forcing a turnover on downs on the next.
Jef ferson’s second touchdown of the night — a 30-yard screen pass — extended the lead to 28-3. Connally closed the gap to 28-18 before halftime, but Bastrop dominated the back end, outscoring the Cougars 34-0.
Jefferson scored twice more after halftime, while Nielsen found senior tight end Brent Carter and junior receiver Diego Rangel for additional touchdowns.
Bastrop has tallied 60 points or more in its last three games, outscoring opponents 191-36 during that stretch. The Bears have now won 10 straight district contests, including a 7-0 run that earned them last year’s district title.
Bastrop improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in district play. The Bears will host Navarro Friday, Oct. 17, at 7:30 p.m.
