The Wimberley Texans would not let their fans leave Homecoming without a victory to celebrate, but it took every tool in the chest, to manufacture a victory over the undefeated Jarrell Cougars.
In overtime with the game on the line, the Code Red Defense stood strong and turned back a twopoint conversion attempt to win the game 35-34.
Jarrell, who came into the game at 7-0 compared to the Texans’ record of 3-3, started out the game with an impressive drive. This included a 57-yard run by Kenneth Johnson to help get the Cougars inside the red zone before multiple penalties backed them up. After a failed attempt on fourth down with 21 yards to go, the Wimberley offense took over.
However, it was a quick three-and-out before Wimberley punted the ball back to Jarrell. A few quick runs later, and the Cougars’ freshman running back Brayden Henderson took the ball 44 yards on an end-around run from the right slot back heading up the left sideline. With the extra point, the Cougars took the 7-0 lead.
The Texans narrowly avoided disaster on the kick return when the ball took an awkward bounce out of bounds narrowly before a Jarrell recovery. A few consistent runs by Maverick Jacobs were added onto by yet another penalty by the Cougars, this time a 15-yard personal foul before the end of the first quarter.
The first play of the second quarter was a 26-yard strike from quarterback Jackson Parker to sophomore wide receiver Bennett German down to the Texan 10-yard line. On a third and goal from the one-yard line, Jacobs took the run in off the left side of the line for the first Wimberley touchdown of the game. The extra point was blocked and Jarrell retained the lead at 7-6.
With 10 minutes left in second quarter, each team had a touchdown; however, that would change quickly. A 31-yard touchdown run by Henderson would make the score 13-6 after the Texans got a block on the extra point as well with 6:33 left in the half.
An interception would give the ball back to the Cougars and three players later Jaysen Hobbs would take it 30 yards for another touchdown. This time, a two-point conversion would make it 216 in favor of the away team with only three minutes left in the half.
As any true Texan fan would expect, Wimberley responded with a flurry of action. Jacobs took the first play 29 yards after bouncing the inside run outside. A nine-yard run was followed by a 33yard run, and Jacobs had his second touchdown of the ball game to get Wimberley back on track. This time, Bo Holeman booted the ball through to make the score 21-13 with 2:10 left in the half.
If fans thought that was an electric scoring spree, it was just getting started. After a touchback, Henderson took another endaround on the first play of the drive 75 yards for a Cougar touchdown. It was his third touchdown of the half. With an extra point, the score was 28-13 and the Texans once again trailed by two scores.
A big return by C.J. Helm set Wimberley up near midfield with 1:51 left in the half.
After a few steady gains, Jackson would keep the ball himself instead of throwing deep and run for 30 yards and a touchdown. A two-point conversion from Parker to Micah Espinoza would make the score 28-21. Wimberley was able to hold on defense to get to halftime after four touchdowns had been scored in a span of about two game minutes.
Coming out of halftime, the defenses adjusted on both ends. There was no score in the third quarter after long possessions for each team. Early in the fourth quarter, Jarrell ran into penalty troubles again and ended up in fourth and long. Without a sturdy field goal kicker, they went for it on fourth down and 24 yards. A dropped pass in the end zone turned the ball over to the Texans.
Parker came out firing down one score in the fourth quarter hitting Keith Cook for 19 yards. Aided by a pass-interference call, the Texans struck again with Parker hitting Espinoza for 30 yards to reach the three-yard line. Jacobs, who had just been crowned Homecoming King at halftime, scored his third touchdown of the game. Holeman made the extra point to tie the ball game at 28-28 with 8 minutes left in the game.
Jarrell took the ball down the field, this time narrowly reaching a fourth down conversion at the 25-yard line as the clock rolled down to two minutes. Once inside the red zone, the Code Red Defense stood strong again forcing a wouldbe- game-winning 33yard field goal, with seconds left on the clock. It missed left.
In overtime, each team has possession with a chance to score from the 25-yard line. Wimberley had the first possession. Parker found Colt Wright on a slant route for a 13-yard touchdown to take the lead with a made extra point to lead 35-28.
Jarrell responded quickly driving down to the 1-yard line for first down and goal. Twice the Texan defense held the goal line before Joseph Travis plowed in for a touchdown to make the score 35-34 with Wimberley leading. After multiple struggles kicking during the game, Jarrell went for a two-point conversion. After a defensive offsides penalty, the ball was at the 1.5 yard line. The Cougars handed the ball to their biggest ball carrier, 6-foot, 210pounds running back Hobbs. Running up the middle, Hobbs was turned to the outside and met by a slew of Texans, led by Jacobs, Aiden Patek and Carlon Helms. The Code Red Defense held to win the game.
Parker was 12-20 passing for 138 yards with one touchdown, one interception and one two-point conversion. He also had 34 yards rushing and a touchdown on the ground. Jacobs finished with 143 yards and three touchdowns. Espinoza led the receivers with five receptions for 58 yards and a two-point conversion. Wright had the sole receiving touchdown of the game.
On defense, Cody Phillips picked up a fumble in the only turnover of the game.
Wimberley improved to 4-3 on the season and 2-1 in district play. Up next for the Texans will be the Gonzales Apaches, who are 5-2 on the season. The game will be played in Gonzales at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 24.
