IRA — The No. 8 Ira Bulldogs scored two touchdowns in the final three minutes to defeat No. 22 Robert Lee 34-26 in the home football opener on Friday.
The Bulldogs led 14-6 at halftime and the game was tied 20-20 going into the fourth quarter. Robert Lee took a 26-20 lead with 3:57 left the game before Ira’s comeback, which included a last-second touchdown.
Ira had 119 yards rushing in the game and 147 passing.
Ramiro Rios carried the ball 13 times for 55 yards and completed 3-of-3 passes for 47 yards and one touchdown. Hunter Cotton completed 4-of-10 passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Cotton also had 28 yards rushing on eight carries.
Emanual Cabrera gained 24 yards on eight carries and scored one touchdown. Kaven Dillard had eight yards rushing and one score. Matthew Hoyle had one carry for three yards.
Boocker Brasuel caught three passes for 68 yards and scored two touchdowns. Cabrera had two catches for 32 yards. Anthony Sosa caught a 40-yard touchdown pass and Cotton had one catch for eight yards.
Robert Lee outgained the Bulldogs, 326-266 in the game, but was hurt by two turnovers. The Longhorns finished with 204 yards on the ground and 122 through the air.
Ira scored two touchdowns in the first quarter to take a 14-0 lead. Rios hit Brasuel on a 9-yard pass for the first touchdown. Cabrera had a 5-yard scoring run and Rios made the two-point kick.
Robert Lee pulled to within six points at halftime. Jake Jackson’s 56-yard pass to Austin Fowler with eight seconds left in the first half cut the Ira lead to 14-6.
In the third quarter, Fowler scored on a 60-yard run and Daniel Mendoza’s kick tied the game at 14-14.
Ira regained the lead on Dillard’s 3-yard run, but the Longhorns tied the game at 20-20 when Fowler scored on a 35-yard run.
Fowler’s 4-yard run with 3:57 left in the game gave Robert Lee a 26-20 lead.
Ira tied the game at 26-26 on Cotton’s 40-yard pass to Sosa with 2:58 left. With eight second left, Cotton hit Brausel on a 28-yard touchdown pass to claim the win.
Cabrera led the Bulldog defense with six tackles. Rios had five tackles, followed by Sosa with four. Brasuel had three tackles, Cotton was credited with two tackles and Eddie Ervin had one tackle.
Ira (4-0) will play at Jayton Friday.
Hermleigh 38, Motley County 28
MATADOR — The Hermleigh Cardinals won their third straight game by defeating Motley County 38-28 on Friday.
No statistics were available at press time.
Hermleigh (3-1) will host Latter Rain Christian Academy for homecoming on Friday.