The Amherst Bulldogs lost an uncharacteristically low scoring 24-20 home game against the Whitharral Panthers last Friday, dropping to 3-1 in district and taking second place UIL Class 1A-2 Region I District 2.
Amherst drew first blood midway through the first quarter on a 10 yard pass from Isaac Herrera to Yahir Garcia.
Shamadrick Weaver finally put Whitharral on the board after a five yard touchdown with only 45 seconds left in the first half.
Jack Griffin’s kick was good for an 8-6 Whitharral lead, but the Bulldogs answered with a 50 yard touchdown by Joel Garcia on the kick return for a 12-8 Amherst lead.
Whitharral took over on the Amherst 36 yard line with 37 seconds left in the quarter. An 11 yard pass from Jeryn Ellerd to Victor Saenz took them down to the 25 where, two plays later, on fourth down and four yards, Weaver again found an opening for a score.
Griffin’s kick was good for a 1612 Whitharral lead.
The Panthers would remain in the lead for the rest of the game.
Weaver had the final Panther score, on a 50 yard run on the first play of a fourth quarter drive for a 24-12 Whitharral lead with 7:24 left in the game.
Amherst put up another touchdown pass from Joel Garcia to Gabriel Garcia with two-point kick up at the 2:04 mark, but it was too little too late. Joel Garcia went 6-for-11 for 82 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Herrera went 5-for-7 for 35 yards and a touchdown. Kevin Garcia went 0-for-1.
Kevin Garcia also had 14 carries for 40 yards. Gabriel Garcia had a 10 yard run. Joel Garcia had a two yard run. Hector Perez had three carries for minus three yards. Joel Garcia had three carries for -16 yards.
Gabriel Garcia had four catches for 63 yards and a touchdown. Herrera had two catches for 24 yards.
Yahir Garcia had two catches for 17 yards and a touchdown. Perez had a single 11 yard catch. Kevin Garcia had two catches for two yards.
Gabriel Garcia had seven tackles. Joel Garcia had five. Perez and Herrera had four each. Yahir Garcia had two. Gabriel Garcia had two punt returns for 77 yards and Joel Garcia had two kick returns for 87 yards and a touchdown.
The Bulldogs will face Groom in the Bi-District playoffs next Friday in Lockney. Game time is 6 p.m.