Tigers close regular season with win

After Rio Vista had cut what was a 24-point deficit down to eight with still more than six minutes to go Friday night, you couldn’t blame Caleb Helm for being a little upset.

Helm, who along with his senior classmates would be playing some of their last football on the Tiger Stadium turf, had had enough of the Eagle comeback. On Jacksboro’s first play from scrimmage, Helm took the ball and nearly doubled his rushing output to that point from 39 to 76 yards with a 37-yard run, busting tackles to get down the Eagle 13. He then added a pair of five-yard runs to set up a first-and-goal.

 Two plays later, sophomore Randall Hamilton found paydirt and the Tigers had escaped with a 44-29 over the visitors on Senior Night. Jacksboro finishes its regular season on a four-game win streak at 6-4 (4-1 in District 6-3A Division II) with Rio Vista ending at 2-8 and 0-5.

Jacksboro Coach Brannon Rodgers appeared ready to take the money and run and hit the playoffs.

“Not all wins have to be pretty,” Rodgers said, “We’re continuing to find depth with our offense which is a good thing. We’re continuing to execute and get better on that side of the ball.”

Rio Vista looked ready to snatch the first district win from the opening kickoff, scoring on a two-yard run on the Eagles’ opening drive. Jacksboro, which turned the ball over on its opening possession, marched 80 yards in five plays to score on Helm’s five-yard run and tie the game at seven.

Jacksboro forced two turnovers on downs and a punt on the final three Eagle drives of the half. The Tigers would break the game open in the second quarter with scoring runs by Brayden Pewitt and Gio Salazar. Pewitt then recovered an onside kick which later set up a 40-yard Salazar field goal as time expired for a 24-7 lead at the half. 

Jacksboro then opened the second half by capping a 52-yard drive with Helm going another five yards to paydirt for a 30-7 lead. Rio Vista would get within eight on a pair of passing touchdowns but no closer.

Jacksboro will face former district foe Henrietta, the third seed out of District 5-3A Division II, next Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Bowie.