COMANCHE – The Early Longhorns were dealt a second straight defeat as the Comanche Indians once again proved they are no fluke with a 49-40 homecoming victory Friday night.
Coming off a 51-14 home loss to Tolar last week, Early (1-2) jumped out to a 14-0 lead after one quarter, only for Comanche (3-0) to respond with five second-quarter touchdowns to open a 35-14 halftime advantage. The Indians then carried a 49-34 edge into the fourth period, where the Longhorns’ rally came up short.
The Longhorns generated 392 yards of total offense, with 355 coming through the air, but coughed the ball up twice.
The Indians logged 475 total yards, sparked by a 334-yard rushing effort, along with just one turnover.
Sawyer Wilkerson again ignited Comanche’s rushing attack with 239 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries. Easton Gonzalez chipped in 65 yards on two rushes with a trip to the end zone and quarterback Layden Welch added 29 yards on the ground with a score.
Welch connected on just 3 of 11 passes but two were for touchdowns as he finished with 141 yards through the air for the Indians. Miguel Martinez finished with two grabs for 78 yards and scored once, and Wilkerson hauled in a 63-yard scoring reception.
For Early, Jaxyn Price connected on 24 of 38 passes for 347 yards with two touchdowns, while Rohyn Price went 1 for 3 for 8 yards with a pick.
Jeremy Brown hauled in a game-high 10 receptions for 214 yards with a touchdown trailed by John-Stewart Gordon with four catches for 73 yards and a score, Griffin Cheslock with three for 17 yards, Colton Allen and Reece Middleton both with two grabs for 15 yards, Kaleb Ozuna with a 13-yard reception, and Cedrick Morelan with an 8-yard catch.
The Longhorns again struggled with the ground attack, rushing for just 37 yards on 28 carries. Cheslock tallied 29 yards and a touchdown, Ozuna chipped in 11, and Morelan scored on a 4-yard carry. Jaxyn Price lost 7 yards on five rushes.
Next week, Early hosts Troy (1-2), which dropped a 28-21 decision to Rogers Friday night, while Comanche heads to Tolar (2-0), which flattened Flower Mound Coram Deo Academy, 56-7.
