Owls score 17 unanswered points in 30-6 rout of Cowboys

By Manuel Azocar III - Sports Writer/Managing Editor | November 3, 2022

COTULLA COWBOYS FOOTBALL

COTULLA TO TAKE ON LIANO IN BI-DISTRICT CONTEST THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 3 AT HONDO’S BARRY FIELD

Cotulla’s Jose Gonzalez turns the corner for several yards during the Cowboys’ 30-6 loss to Hondo.

Hondo scored 20 unanswered points, breaking open a close 13-6 contest to rout Cotulla 30-6 and sending the Cowboys to their second loss in three games last Friday at Myers Memorial Stadium.

Having secured a playoff berth a week ago, the Cowboys have been struggling offensively of late, averaging only 11 points per game over their last four outings. Through its first five games of the season, Cotulla was averaging 38 points per game.

“Yes, we have been in a funk lately,” CHS Athletic Director and Head Football Coach Marcus Booker said of his squad. “We keep hurting ourselves with penalties and bad snaps.

“We had over 100 yards in offensive penalties alone (in the Hondo loss), we just need everyone healthy and practicing.”

Booker said he’s taking a back-to-basics approach with his team, hoping to find a spark in their season finale against league champion Jourdanton this week.

“We just need to get back to the basics and tackle better and not hurt ourselves with mistakes,” he said. “We always play hard, we just don’t necessarily play smart all the time.

“I have to do a better job of preparing us for the games and keeping our heads in it.”

Despite the loss to the Owls, the Cowboys have secured a playoff date and opponent for their bi-district playoff. The team will take on the Llano Yellowjackets in the first round of play on Thursday, December 10 at Hondo’s Barry Field.

In their loss to Hondo, Cotulla trailed 13-6 early in the second quarter before the Owls pulled away with 17 unanswered points.

Hondo scored on a short DJ Ricter run in the first and a 34-yard pass from Richter to Leland Rodriguez.

Jose Gonzales then broke off a 76-yard touchdown run early in the second to make it a one-score game at 13-6.

Cotulla, however, was unable to do much after that. Uriel Nolasco booted a 37-yard field late in the second and the Owls punched in a pair of scores in the second half to take the 30-6 win.

Brayden Bendele hauled in a 53-yard pass from Richter and Richten then went in from nine yards out to cap the scoring.

Cotulla outgained the Owls in total yards but, unfortunately, also had three times as many penalty yards.

The Cowboys tallied 292 yards of offense and nine first downs with 245 yards coming on the ground. Cotulla, however, was penalized 16 times for 155 yards.

The Owls finished with 210 yards of total offense and 11 first downs. The team used a balanced attack, rushing for 102 yards and passing for 108 yards.

Turnovers were about even as the Owls fumbled twice and lost both while the Cowboys had two interceptions but also fumbled eight times in the contest, losing one.

Joseph Salazar was five of 15 for Cotulla for 47 yards with a pair of interceptions. He also rushed for 33 yards on two carries.

Gonzales led the rushing attack with 168 yards on eight carries with a touchdown. Jesse Sanchez saw limited action and finished with 41 yards on only ten carries.

Rodrigo Mendez hauled in a pair of receptions for 44 yards.

Cotulla will close out the regular season on the road this Friday as they take on the Jourdanton Indians. Jourdanton wrapped up the league title with a 44-7 rout of Lytle last week. The Indians have allowed only 28 points in four district games, with 21 of those points scored by Hondo in a 39-21 loss. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

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