Tigers fall to Eastland, 41-27

When facing a third-string quarterback, a team is very uncertain of what to expect from him.

Such was the case of Jacksboro Friday night, as Eastland’s third-string quarterback Chris Hicks was forced into action after injuries and concussions to the Mavericks’ top two signal callers in the last two weeks. Hicks responded in kind, going 9-12 for 193 yards, primarily using a lot of screens in helping Eastland post a 41-27 win over the host Tigers.

Jacksboro slips to 2-3 while Eastland goes to 4-1.

The Tigers came from behind three times to tie the game before the visitors pulled away with three second-half touchdowns. Jacksboro ended the scoring with a 57-yard Ethan Sanchez to Ke’Ondrae Sadler pass play with under three minutes to go. 

The Tigers forced the only punt of the game on the ensuing drive but turned the ball over on downs as Eastland ran out the clock to preserve the win.

A Maverick interception on the first drive set up the opening score of the game barely five minutes in. Jacksboro ate up 6:36 of clock time before capping a 65-yard, 11-play drive with Sanchez and Seth Isbell combining on a 23-yard scoring toss on fourth down.

Hicks’ first pass of the night went for paydirt as the junior found Alex Gonzales on a screen play which ended 81 yards later in a score for a 13-6 Maverick lead.

After a Tiger fumble recovery, the squad needed just four plays to tie the game at 13 on Alex McAnear’s one-yard run. Jacksboro forced a turnover on downs and had a chance to go ahead but time ran out in the half.

Eastland took a 20-13 lead as Anthony Badilla returned the second half kick 95 yards to the promised land. Once again, Jacksboro responded with a 58-yard scoring drive, capped by Brayden Pewitt’s 25-yard scoring jaunt with eight minutes to go in the third. 

Jacksboro is off next week but returns to action Oct. 12 to open District 6-3A Division II action in Comanche. All district kickoffs will be at 7 p.m.