Written by Leland Acker – Kids traveling on long road trips with their parents often want to know how much further their destination is, hence the ever-present question, “Are we there, yet?”
Fans following the Early Longhorns’ rebuilding effort got a disappointing answer to that question Friday night as the Clyde Bulldogs rolled to a 56-13 victory over the Horns. In the effort to rebuild the Longhorn football program to its former glory, “We’re not quite there yet.”
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“Our efforts were high,” Head Coach and Athletic Director Blake Sandford said, “But we have to get better at playing football.”
Despite Friday’s loss, Coach Sandford still believes the program is progressing, and the Horns’ best days are ahead of them.
“I believe in our kids, and we’re closing the gap,” he said.
Translation: We’ll get there.
While the Horns gave up one interception, failed on two 4th down conversion plays, they performed well in the trenches. The Horns only allowed one sustained drive resulting in a touchdown. The rest were long-range strikes as a result of exploited gaps in the defense.
Meanwhile, the Horns forced four turnovers, a fumble, and three interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown by Miguel Elizondo.
Offensively, the Horns notched a 15-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Trompler to Rowdy Elkins, along with several sustained drives, one of which ended in a 4th and goal on the Clyde 2-yard line before halftime.
Trompler passed for 160 yards and a touchdown. Hayden Barker led the ground game. Elizondo, Ethen Portillo, Ethan Rhodes, Brandon Lombrano and Teddy Ozuna were defensive standouts.
The loss drops Early to a 3-4 record, 1-1 in district. The Horns are now tied for third with the Jim Ned Indians, who will come to Early’s Longhorn Stadium Friday night. The winner of that game will stay in the top-half of the district, the loser will drop back to fourth place. Game time will be at 7:30 p.m. Friday in Early, and will be broadcast on KXYL 102.3 FM, 1240 AM, and online at BrownwoodRadio.com.