The Texans pulled off one of the biggest comebacks in program history as Wimberley defeated archrival Canyon Lake 36-35 after trailing 35-7 going into the fourth quarter in the annual Battle of the Backbone.
Wimberley defeats Canyon Lake for the seventh consecutive time to improve to 1-0 and improve their overall record against the Hawks at 15-3.
The Texans struck first against the Hawks as senior running back Maverick Jacobs scored from 18-yards out to put Wimberley up 7-0 over Canyon Lake with junior kicker Bo Holeman adding on the extra point kick.
Canyon Lake answered back, scoring a 42-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7.
In the second quarter, the Hawks scored again as Canyon Lake passed for a 23-yard touchdown to take their first lead of the game at 14-7.
Near halftime, the Texans attempted to make a late drive to tie the game up only for Canyon Lake to intercept the pass and return the ball back to the Wimberley five-yard line. The Hawks later punched it in from the two-yard line to put Canyon Lake up 21-7.
In the third quarter, the Hawks struck again, scoring on their first offensive drive of the second half on a ten-yard touchdown run, extending their lead to 28-7.
Later in the third, Canyon Lake seemingly delivered the dagger to the Texans, scoring on a 55-yard touchdown pass to go up 35-7 on Wimberley going into the fourth quarter.
With their backs against the wall and Canyon Lake seemingly on the verge of defeating Wimberley for the first time since 2018, all hope was seemingly lost for Texans.
Except nobody told the Texans.
The Texans got to work in the fourth quarter, putting together a scoring drive that ended with Jacobs scoring from five yards out, making the score 35-14.
On the ensuing kickoff, Holeman successfully made the onside kick as the Texans recovered the ball near midfield.
After a halfback screen pass to Jacobs moved the Texans into Canyon Lake territory, Wimberley scored again as senior quarterback Jackson Parker hit junior wide receiver Colt Wright for a 30-yard touchdown pass, cutting the lead down to 35-21.
Holeman then kicked his second successful onside kick of the game as the Texans once again recovered the kickoff at the Canyon lake 45-yard line.
Converting on fourth down on another screen pass for junior Reid Wood, Wimberley struck once more when Parker found Jacobs on another screen pass who then scored from the 16-yard line on fourth down. With six minutes left in the game, Wimberley trailed 35-28.
On the ensuing possession, the Code Red defense forced a sack on first down to put Canyon Lake behind the chains as the Hawks punted the ball.
With the momentum firmly on their sides, the Texans began their game winning drive at their own 24-yard line.
Parker put the Texans in Canyon Lake territory after completing a deep pass to junior wide receiver Keith Cook, putting Wimberley on the Hawks’ 37-yard line. Wright then made a diving catch to put the Texans in the redzone at the Canyon Lake 16-yard line.
Threatening to score, Jacobs received the handoff and broke free for the endzone. Jacobs dove for the goal line before fumbling the ball which Canyon Lake recovered and returned back to Canyon Lake 25-yard line, seemingly stopping the Texans’ comeback in their tracks.
But after a discussion between the officials, it was determined that Jacobs crossed the goal line with control of the ball, awarding the touchdown for the Texans.
Instead of going for the extra point kick, Wimberley opted for the two-point conversion.
On the ensuing play, Parker rolled out before finding Wood wide open who crossed the goal, giving Wimberley a 36-35 lead.
The Texans were flagged on the unsportslike conduct penalty following the play, forcing Wimberley to kick from the Canyon Lake 25-yard.
But an excellent kick by Holeman followed by good coverage from the Texan kickoff team, pinned the Hawks to the Texans 35-yard line.
With Canyon Lake needing a field goal to win, it was up to the ‘Code Red’ defense to help seal the incredible comeback victory.
The Hawks crossed midfield before converting on a long third down to set up shop at the Texans’ 29-yard line with less than a minute remaining in the game. However, the Texans forced fourth down with less than 20 seconds remaining in the game.
Instead of kicking the game winning goal, the Hawks opted to go for it on fourth down only for the ‘Code Red’ defense to force an incomplete pass, sealing the comeback win.
Wimberley will be back on the road this Friday in a showdown with another rival in the Fredericksburg Battlin’ Billies.
The Billies are coming off a 52-14 loss to Lampasas to start the season.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Fredericksburg.
