Cowboys score 50 points for #50, take Regionals

by Melissa and Richie Fojtik
    The Edna Cowboys traveled to New Braunfels Canyon Stadium on Nov. 29 to take on the Ingram Tom Moore Warriors in the Regional round of the playoffs and won, 50-28.
    The Cowboys entered the game with heavy hearts in what would prove to be one of the most emotional games they would play in their high school football careers. They dedicated the game to their fallen teammate, #50 Noah Ortiz.
    Senior Dylan Kallus said at the beginning of the game it was emotional, but once they got more into the game they really started going. “It felt like Noah was there with us, especially when we looked at the scoreboard and saw the 50,” he said. “Coach said it was up to us whether or not we wanted to kick the extra point, and we missed it to keep the score at 50 for Noah.”
    Coach Josh Lovelady said the players could not have responded better after the tragedy that occurred. “They played their hearts out,” he said.
    Ingram won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kick-off. Cowboys’ defense stood strong and forced a three and out on the Warriors’ first possession of the game. Edna's offense came up huge when #7 Marquis Broussard recovered a caused fumble in the end zone for the first points of the game. The extra point was no good making the score Edna 6, Ingram 0, with 6:11 left in the opening quarter of play.
    The Cowboys forced a fumble on the Warriors next possession and capitalized on it when #7 Broussard ran in for his second touchdown of the night. After a failed extra point try the score was 12-0 in favor of Edna with 5:05 left in the first. Ingram found the end zone once in the first quarter. After a good extra point the score was Cowboys 12, Warriors 7. Edna's #7 Broussard scored once more in the first half. Broussard also converted a two-point conversion and the halftime score was Edna 20, Ingram 7.
    Cowboys received the second half kick-off and yielded a field goal with 7:31 left in the third quarter increasing their lead to 23-7. The Warriors answered back fairly quick with a touchdown and a failed extra point making the score Edna 23, Ingram 13.  The Cowboys answered back when #7 Broussard ran in for his fourth touchdown with 3:07 left in the third. The extra point try was good by #60 Padilla, making the score was 30-13 in favor of Edna.
    Ingram found the end zone once more in the third quarter and converted a two-point conversion to make the score 30-19, still in favor of the Cowboys. Edna answered back when #4 DeOntae Jones ran in for a touchdown with 11:14 left in the fourth quarter. Padilla added on the extra point, making the score 37-21. Edna gets the ball back after forcing a three and out, and #7 Broussard found the end zone once more and increased the Cowboys lead to 43-21. After a extra point by #60 Padilla, the score was 44-21.
    The Warriors found the end zone once more with 5:58 left in the fourth. The extra point try was good, making the score 44-28. The next points scored for Edna were the most important points of the game. Edna's #4 Jones scored his second touchdown of the game with 4:18 left on the clock. Cowboy #11, Cade Orsak purposely fell on the ball and missed the extra point to keep the score at 50 in honor of their teammate Ortiz. Final score was Edna Cowboys 50, and Ingram Tom Moore Warriors 28.
    Kallus said the team will work on their defense a little more. “We’re going to keep working as a team and play with even more heart,” he guaranteed.
    Lovelady said if the Cowboys play mistake-free football and come out to play four quarters, they will most certainly win.
    The Cowboys came home victorious in the Regionals and continue onto the Quarterfinals. Edna will face Hallettsville Friday, Dec. 5 in Rosenberg at Traylor Stadium. Kick-off set for 7:30 PM.