By BRIAN ARGABRIGHT
THE 830 TIMES
Del Rio surrendered fewer points in its second game than its first game, but also failed to score as many points as they did in its first game.
As a result, the Rams dropped to 0-2 on the season after losing to the San Antonio Warren Warriors, 35-15, Friday night at Gustafson Stadium.
After Del Rio’s first drive ended on a fake punt/run by Corbin Farrar that netted four of the 12 yards needed for a first down, the Rams defense did its part to get the ball back as Sammy Flores made a key stop for no gain and Fabian Venegas broke up a pass to help force a Warren punt.
The Rams got on track on their next possession as quarterback Zack Taylor picked up nine yards with his first run and then found wide receiver Alan Dobbins for two quick receptions that netted 14 yards and moved Del Rio to midfield.
Two plays later, Zane Hughes broke loose through the Warren defense and appeared on his way to the end zone before he was stripped of the ball. Warren recovered at its own 15-yard line.
The Warriors used a 46-yard pass to quickly move into Del Rio’s territory. Warren kept the ball on the ground for most of its drive until the Warriors reached the Rams 13. From there, Warren’s Antonio Meza tossed a 13-yard touchdown pass and the Warriors were staked to a 7-0 lead.
Del Rio’s next drive ended with an incomplete pass from the Warren 30-yard line, but the Rams defense came up big two plays later after Venegas forced a fumble and Juan “Chili” Peralta was able to recover the ball at Del Rio’s 49-yard line.
After a 43-yard pass to Dobbins, Taylor kept the ball himself and raced to the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown run. The extra point failed after the holder couldn’t put the snap down, and Del Rio was left down by one, 7-6.
It didn’t take long for Warren to answer. After a short kickoff left the Warriors at their own 49-yard line, it took Warren six plays to reach the end zone, capping the drive with a 20-yard touchdown pass to increase its lead to 14-6.
The Rams’ next drive netted Del Rio just three yards and forced a punt that was eventually downed at Warren’s 10-yard line. The Warriors stuck to their air game to get them out of trouble as a 24-yard pass moved them to near the 40-yard line.
Two more passes got Warren to the Rams’ 25. After a short run, the Warriors returned to the end zone, this time on a 21-yard pass that made the score 21-6 in favor of Warren.
Del Rio’s final drive of the first half featured a 16-yard pass from Taylor to Jovahn West, but would be remembered for what happened after the drive ended. The Rams again attempted a fake punt with Farrar running the ball for an apparent first down. Del Rio was called for an illegal procedure penalty, but two Warren players were flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for their role in small scuffle after the play was over.
Those penalties meant the Rams would kick off from Warren’s own 30-yard line to start the second half. Del Rio tried an onside kick, but Warren was able to recover the ball.
The Warriors were able to move the ball into the Rams’ side of the field, but pressure from Del Rio’s defense forced a pair of incomplete passes and forced a turnover on downs.
The combination of Taylor to Dobbins hit again, this time for a 34-yard strike that put the Rams at the Warren 7-yard line. Del Rio was able to get to the Warriors’ 3-yard line before Rodrigo Tamez was sent out to try a 20-yard field goal. His kick was good, and the Rams trailed 21-9 with 5:25 left in the third quarter.
Del Rio’s defense again came through against Warren on the Warriors’ next drive when on fourth and 1, defensive back Bradan Ludemann helped break up a pass and give the Rams the ball back at their own 48-yard line.
Hughes helped the Rams get inside the Warren 20-yard line when he busted out for a 30-yard run to the Warriors’ 19-yard line. After a short run by Ethan Matherne, Taylor carried the ball the next two times, ending the drive with a seven-yard touchdown run. The two-point try was intercepted, leaving the score at 21-15 in favor of Warren just seconds into the fourth quarter.
With the Rams riding high on momentum, Warren did its best to retake control of the game. On the third play of their next drive, the Warriors hit for a 60-yard touchdown pass that helped build the lead to 28-15. After forcing another Del Rio punt, Warren returned to the end zone on its next drive thanks to a tiptoe 11-yard touchdown pass that made the score 35-15 with 8:22 left to play.
Dobbins tried to get the Rams back in the game with a spectacular kickoff return to the Warren 40-yard line. However, Del Rio’s drive was derailed after a sack of Taylor and an interception at the one-yard line.
Warren was able to kill the remainder of the game clock with a methodical drive that ended near midfield with a victory formation.
The Rams will look to add a tally to the win column when they play their home opener Friday, Sept. 9 at 7 p.m. against Leander.
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Contact the author at drnhsports@gmail.com
