Both were prominent during Gatesville’s homecoming victory before a standing-room-only crowd as the Class 3A Hornets (3-1) dominated 4A Lampasas (0-4) in every phase of the game.
On offense, Gatesville wracked up 24 first downs, 300 rushing yards and 462 total yards. The Hornets registered 89 yards rushing and 203 total yards while building a 20-0 halftime advantage.
Then, with linemen Jacob Hunter, Aaron Tippit, Caleb McKamie, Josh James and Dustin Warren clearing the way, Gatesville churned out 211 yards rushing in the second half as it worked to run out the clock. Sophomore Kevin Clarke was the workhorse, carrying 22 times for 92 yards and two touchdowns.
Meanwhile, senior quarterback Shane Clark completed 13 of 16 passes for 157 yards, including a 7-yard touchdown to Josh Janisch on the first play of the fourth quarter. In the first half Clark was perfect, completing all nine of his passes - to eight receivers - for 114 yards.
On the other side of the ball, the Hornets’ defense stung Lampasas repeatedly, limiting the Badgers to four first downs, 99 yards rushing and 17 yards passing while forcing two fumbles that led to Gatesville touchdowns.
The defense was particularly stingy in the first half, holding Lampasas to one first down - on a penalty against the Hornets for unsportsmanlike conduct - 45 yards rushing and 3 yards passing. The Badgers didn’t earn their second first down until there were only 28 seconds remaining in the game.
C.L. Riddle, Ben Mazey, David Meyer, Ross Wallace and Maverick Williams led the way for the Hornets on defense.
Even Gatesville’s special teams turned in a stellar game. One the first play of the second quarter, Zane Evans appeared to get a hand on a Badgers punt. Riddle darted in among a crowd of players at the Lampasas 35, scooped up the bouncing ball and scampered into the end zone for the game’s first score.
Riddle had several good punt returns to set up the Hornets in excellent field position. He also had a good night punting the ball, keeping the Badgers caged in their territory with three kicks averaging 48 yards.
Gatesville’s second touchdown was set up when Christian Santulan snatched the ball out of Edward Grant’s hands at the Lampasas 40 and returned it to the 26 with 10 minutes left in the half.
Six plays later, Cody Sheets bulled into the end zone from 3 yards out.
The PAT kick attempt was no good, leaving the Hornets with a 13-0 lead with 7:19 left until halftime.
On its next possession Gatesville drove 65 yards in seven plays to score on Clarke’s 1-yard run with 3:07 remaining.
Clark’s scoring pass to Janisch with 11:54 left in the game capped off a five-play, 41-yard drive.
Late in the game, Antonio Mendez recovered a Badger fumble at the Lampasas 35, and eight plays later Clarke scored from 2 yards out for the game’s final touchdown with 43 seconds remaining.
On its next possession, Lampasas had its only significant drive of the game, moving from its 37 to the Gatesville 20 - its first foray onto the Hornets’ end of the field all night. On the final play, Wallace batted down an Astin Murray pass in the end zone that was intended for Cole Ball.
Next Friday, Gatesville will visit the Waco Connally Cadets for its final non-district game. Lampasas will open District 25–4A play at home against the Hendrickson Hawks.
rray@temple-telegram.com
