Bronco’s JV Tames Harper

By Nancy Glasscock

      The passing and receiving skills of Ethan Morriss, Colyer Dermody, and Caleb Gonzales proved tough for the Harper JV to handle.  Not only did the Longhorns have to defend against this trio, they also had to deal with the rushing of Zac Rodriguez and Shane Patlan, plus defensive plays by Jorge Gaytan, Paul Faz, and Refugio Sanchez.  All of these players plus many others helped pace the Bronco JV squad to a 38-27 win last Thursday night in Harper.

      During the first half, each team took turns scoring.  The Longhorns scored first on a long run.  Sonora’s Zac Rodriguez then caught a short pass from Morriss and ran 60 plus yards down the left sideline until he was tackled short of the goal line.  Rodriguez then took the ball in for the Bronco’s first score. Sonora took the lead after Morriss’ successful two point conversion bootleg.

      After Harper answered with another touchdown, Morriss hit Dermody for a 15 yard reception.  This set up a touchdown pass to Gonzales. Patlan’s two point conversion run was good.  The Bronco’s next scoring drive was capped off with a touchdown pass to Dermody.  However this time the Bronco’s two point conversion play failed.

      Harper scored again with two minutes left in the second quarter.  This time the PAT kick was no good.  With time running out in the half, Morriss hit Gonzales again in the endzone for the go ahead points and passed to Dermody to complete the two point play.  At the half, Sonora led 30-27.

      There was no scoring in the third quarter.  Both defenses made half time adjustments and stiffened. Consecutive penalties caused drives to stop for both teams.  Harper never scored again in the game.  During the fourth quarter, Jorge Gaytan recovered two fumbles and returned each of them for more than 50 yards.  After the last fumble return, Morriss sealed the victory when he carried the ball across the goal line. Gonzales, at quarterback, passed to Dermody in the endzone for Sonora’s final points and the well-earned victory.

     This fine JV team plays again Thursday night at 6:30pm in Bronco Stadium.  They’ll face the Brackettville Tigers JV team.  Come out and support Sonora’s JV Broncos.