(San Antonio) — The Navarro Panthers used big plays on offense and a smothering defense to dominate Young Men’s Leadership Academy, 48-0 in the UIL Class 4A Division-II Bi-District round at Alamo Stadium on Friday night.
Antwoin Mebane started the offensive onslaught for the Panthers with a 68-yard touchdown scamper past the Lion defense on the second play of the game to put Navarro up, 7-0. Following a defensive stop, the Panthers made it 14-0 when Kaden Guerra took the ball across the goal line for a two-yard score just past the midway point of the first quarter.
Landun Taylor scored on a four-yard run two minutes into the second quarter to give Navarro a 21-0 lead. And on the next YMLA possession, Gabe Rangel intercepted a Lion pass and took the ball to the house for an 85-yard pick-six and a 28-0 Panther lead.
Navarro made it a five-touchdown half when Diego Chapa scored on a 54-yard run to paydirt to put the Panthers in front, 35-0 just before the half. Mebane had over 100 yards on the ground by halftime and would add another touchdown in the second half to finish the night with 140 yards on just nine carries.
Austin Davidson’s 27-yard touchdown run on a fourth and nine play completed the scoring for the Panthers on the night in the second half. Davidson replaced Colton Shuelke at quarterback in the third quarter. Shuelke finished the game 5 of 7 for 119 yards through the air.
The Panther defense controlled the line of scrimmage throughout the game, getting 10 pressures on Lion quarterbacks. Taylor lead Navarro with four QB pressures on the night to go along with six tackles. Linebacker Jacob Arias had five tackles and broke up three passes in the secondary. The Panthers also got interceptions from Davidson and Colorado Kenway.
Navarro moves on to round two of the playoffs where they will face Port Isabell. The Tarpons got a 42-38 win over Robstown on Friday night to move on to the next round. Navarro and Port Isabel will meet next Friday at Vaquero Stadium in San Diego, TX. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.