(Geronimo) — A valiant comeback in the second half came up just short for the Navarro Panthers in a 34-28 defeat at the hands of the Salado Eagles on Friday night in Geronimo.
Special teams play, a long touchdown run and a pick-six by the Eagles in the first half staked them to a huge 28-7 halftime lead. Salado used a lateral play on the opening kickoff to set the offense up at midfield to start the game. The Eagles would use the field position to go up by a touchdown just two minutes into the game. Quarterback Max Gist ran 63 yards for Salado’s second score, and the Eagles got a pick-six from Hays Ramsey with 11 left seconds in the half for their final score of the half and a three-touchdown lead at the break.
The Panthers responded after receiving the second half kickoff. Running back Dylan Trotti capped a 75-yard drive with a 24-yard touchdown run to cut the Salado lead down to 28-14. After Salado scored a TD on their next drive, the Panthers leaned on Trotti for their next score. The senior brought the ensuing kickoff back to midfield and then scored his third touchdown later on a three-yard run to bring Navarro to within 34-21.
After an Eagle fumble deep in their territory later in the fourth quarter, the Panthers were turned away on a turnover on downs, but the defense recovered another Salado fumble and the offense capitalized when quarterback Austin Davidson hit receiver Emerson Elder in stride for an 18-yard TD connection to pull the Panthers within six points. The Navarro defense would force Salado to punt on their next possession, but the Panther offense would turn the ball over on downs late in the fourth and the Eagles ran out the clock to end the game.
Navarro fell to 0-2 in District 13-4A with the loss, while Salado improved to 2-0. Navarro is 0-2 in district for the second straight year. The Panthers rallied to win three of their last four games in 2024 to make the playoffs. Navarro will play at 2-0 Jarrell next week.
In the other game in the area tonight, the Marion Bulldogs routed Luling, 49-0, in their District 13-3A opener at homecoming at Marion High School.