Wimberley came away with a critical district road win, beating the Gonzales Apaches 38-30 in another thrilling game for the Texans in their seventh one-possession game of the season.
The Texans improve to 5-3 for the season and 3-1 in district play while Gonzales falls to 5-3 for the season and 2-2 in district play.
Starting at the fouryard line on their opening drive, the Texans drove 96yards down the field before running back Maverick Jacobs punched it in from the one-yard line, putting Wimberley up 7-0 over Gonzales after the extra point kick from Bo Holeman.
The Texans later struck again in the second quarter. Wimberley drove down the field once more before quarterback Jackson Parker hit wide receiver Bennett German for the 15yard touchdown pass to go up 14-0 over Gonzales.
Just before halftime, the Apaches looked to make it a one-score game. Driving to inside the five-yard line, Gonzales was able to score from the one-yard line on third and goal as the vaunted Code Red Defense made the stop on the rushing play.
The Apaches opted to go for it on fourth and goal, scoring on a four-yard pass for the six points. Gonzales then faked the extra point kick and tried to score two only for linebacker Reid Wood to make the interception.
But the Apaches left too much time for the Texans. Driving down the field, Wimberley pushed into Gonzales territory before Holeman booted a 30yard field as time expired to give the Texans a 17-6 lead at halftime.
On the opening possession of the second half, Gonzales scored again. With the help of a big kickoff return that put the Apaches near midfield, Gonzales scored from the four-yard line, cutting the Texans lead to 17-13.
Despite Gonzales making it a one-possession game, the Texans answered back. Using a long drive to put the ball at the Gonzales oneyard line, Wimberley scored again on a Wesley Milam touchdown run, making it a 24-13 game.
The Apaches again made another long drive, going into Texan territory but the ‘Code Red’ defense held Gonzales to just a field goal as Wimberley’s lead was down to 24-16.
Yet again the Texans offense had a response. Wimberley drove down to the Gonzales 27-yard line before Milan rushed for the score helped by a massive pancake block by Jacobs to put the Texans up 31-16.
In the fourth quarter, Gonzales looked to score once more with the ball inside the Texan 30-yard line. The Apaches later scored from the fouryard line as the lead was down 31-23.
But Milam once again hit paydirt for the Texans. On the ensuing kickoff, Milam caught the ball at the Texan six-yard line before returning the kick 94 yards for the score, extending the lead to 38-23.
The offensive shootout continued as Gonzales answered with a 45-yard touchdown pass, making it a one-possesion game once more at 38-30.
With less than twominutes remaining in the game, the Texans drove inside the red zone as Wimberey looked to put the game away. Wimberley went for the field goal attempt and missed, giving Gonzales the ball back at their own 20-yard line with less than a minute remaining in the game.
But the Code Red Defense came up with the final stop. With Gonzales in desperation mode, the Texans forced a critical turnover as Dylan Carr came up with the interception, allowing Wimberley to kneel out the clock to seal their second straight win.
Jacobs led the rushing attack for the Texans with 81 yards on 16 carries and one touchdown followed by Milam with seven carries for 63 yards and two touchdowns.
Parker passed for 200 yards and one touchdown with Micah Espinoza catching three passes for 69 yards.
With the win, and Jarrell handing arch rival Salado their first district loss of the season, the Texans are back in the district title hunt with two games remaining in the season.
Wimberley returns home Friday to host Smithville. The Tigers are coming off a 48-27 loss to Navarro last Friday.
Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Texan Stadium.
