Eagle Pass Eagles Muzzle Laredo LBJ Wolves 45-14 in 2020 Football Season Opener in Key District 29-6A Game
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2020
The mighty Eagle Pass High School Eagles muzzled the Laredo LBJ High School Wolves 45-14 in both teams’ 2020 football season opener in a key District 29-6A game on Thursday, October 22, 2020 at the Laredo United Independent School District Student Activity Complex in Laredo, Texas.
The Eagles high-octane offense under the leadership of senior quarterback Jacob Ruiz freely moved the football up and down the field during the whole game to rack up 45 points while the self-proclaimed “Land Shark” Eagles defense under the helm of senior linebacker Charlie Schuessler dominated the Wolves potent offense limiting them to only 14 points.
The Eagles exploded for 35 points in the first half behind the running of sophomore TJ Mares and pass catching of wide receivers Carlos Santos, Dakota Kypuros, CGC Ritchie, OJ Ruiz, and Isaac Stanwick.
The Eagles offensive line composed of center Juan De Leon, guards Emmanuel Balderas and Mike Perez, and tackles Arnie Perez and Alfredo Guevara opened holes for TJ Mares to run through the Wolves defense and protected quarterback Jacob Ruiz to find his wide receivers open in the Wolves secondary.
The Eagles “Land Shark” defense stifled the Wolves ground and air attack, limiting the Wolves to one touchdown in each half of the game. The Eagles defense composed of defensive linemen Tommy Cantu, Javier Santos, and Derek Ruiz, defensive ends Eric Lara and Nathan Aguilera, linebackers Charlie Schuessler, Uriel Martinez, Victor Chavez, and Eduardo Sepulveda, and defensive backs Mando De Los Santos, CJ Hiller, Beto Santos, and Ray Rodriguez manhandled the Wolves offense.
In the first quarter, the Eagles first touchdown of the season came on a 25 yard pass touchdown from quarterback Jacob Ruiz to wide receiver Carlos Santos with 8:51 minutes remaining and the point after attempt was good by Lazaro Villarreal. Later in the first quarter, the Eagles scored on another Jacob Ruiz to Carlos Santos 15 yard aerial touchdown with 3:01 minutes remaining and Lazaro Villarreal split the uprights for the extra point, 14-0 in favor of the Eagles.
In the second quarter, the Eagles went to the air again to score on a 18 yard pass from Jacob Ruiz to wide receiver CGC Ritchie with 10:52 minutes remaining and Lazaro Villarreal tacked on the extra point, 21-0. Shortly thereafter, the Eagles added their fourth touchdown on a three yard dive from running back TJ Mares and Lazaro Villarreal made the point after attempt, 28-0. The Wolves scored their first touchdown of the game on a 20 yard pass. But, the Eagles went back to the air attack to score again on a 21 yard pass from Jacob Ruiz to wideout Dakota Kypuros and Lazaro Villarreal point after attempt was good, 35-7. As time expired in the first half, Eagles kicker Lazaro Villarreal booted a 31 yard field goal to make it 38-7 at halftime.
In the third quarter, the Eagles added their final touchdown of the game on a 14 yard sprint into the end zone by quarterback Jacob Ruiz and Lazaro Villarreal went perfect on his point after attempts (6-6) for the evening, 45-7. The Wolves managed a second touchdown on a two yard pass with only 10 seconds remaining in the game, making the final score 45-14 in favor of the Eagles.
Eagles Head Football Coach Tom Gonzalez credited a total team effort for the win over the Wolves. Both the offensive and defensive units played strong throughout the game.
The Eagles improve to 1-0 in the season and District 29-6A standings with the key win over the LBJ Wolves.
The Eagles next play perennial District 29-6A powerhouse Laredo United Longhorns next week on Friday, October 30, 2020 at 7 P.M. at the Eagle Pass Independent School District Student Activity Center in Eagle Pass, Texas.
