New Braunfels 36, Wagner 19
Quick take: The Unicorns collected a colossal bounce-back win Thursday night against Wagner at Rutledge Stadium as District 27-6A received its latest shakeup.
Behind a stellar performance from quarterback Peyton Driggers and a physical defensive effort, New Braunfels notched a decisive 36-19 win. It was the Thunderbirds’ first loss in district play since Nov. 3, 2017, against Steele.
Coincidentally, it was Steele that broke the Unicorns’ hearts last week in a 22-21 decision, but New Braunfels (3-2, 1-2) responded with its back against the wall and snapped a two-game skid for its first win in 27-6A compeition.
Wagner (2-1, 2-1) fell behind 14-7 at the half and a lost of pair fumbles in the third quarter as it attempted to mount a comeback. The Thunderbirds nearly pulled within a single score late, but a failed two-point try left the score at 28-19 in favor of the visiting Unicorns.
Highlights: The Unicorns’ Landon Marsh and Ryan Wilson spelled injured tailback Ryker Purdy and tallied touchdowns in the first half to help stake their team to a seven-point edge at intermission.
Wilson stripped the ball away from Wagner’s Quentin Owens to begin the second half, and Driggers connected on a 53-yard scoring pass to Jacob Redding moments later. Redding caught the pass near the Thunderbirds’ 16-yard line, giving defensive back Joshua Collazo a free ride into the end zone.
Wagner answered with a 16-yard touchdown pass from Isaiah Williams to Darrion Thomas on a fourth-down try, but New Braunfels came right back, and Driggers fired a strike to Joseph Cholico for a 16-yard score.
New Braunfels closed out the win with 14-play march that was capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by Driggers. Defensive tackle Nathen Collazo later covered up the Thunderbirds’ second fumble of the game to help ice the victory.
What it means: New Braunfels avoids falling to 0-3 in district and has a chance to fight back into postseason contention. The Thunderbirds dropped their first game since moving back to Class 6A, but Wagner’s mistakes appear fixable.
Game balls: Driggers was nothing short of brilliant and threw for 259 yards and two scores on 14-of-24 passing. He also rushed for a touchdown and another 30 yards. Wagner’s L.J. Butler broke loose for a 41-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter and finished with 164 yards on 18 carries.
Up next: The Unicorns will have another Thursday night tilt next week at Smithson Valley in a game that was rescheduled from Oct. 16 because of a series of quarantines. The Thunderbirds also are back to business Thursday for a road game against Steele.