Longhorn Iann Rodriguez scores at the end of the 3rd Quarter against the TLCA Abilene Eagles on September 16, 2022. (Ryan Crowe/FCR)
LOCKNEY – The significance of having his first win as a head coach come with his son at Quarterback and in front of the home crowd was not lost on Lockney’s Jonathan Thiebaud Friday night. “It’s a very, very special moment for me,” he said after the Longhorns victory.
That ‘special moment’ included racking up video game-level numbers, as the Longhorns put up eleven touchdowns and 584 total yards of offense in the 76-13 win over the Texas Leadership Charter Academy of Abilene Eagles.
Thiebaud was beyond proud of his team following the win, and addressed the frustration they had felt up to this point in the season. “It’s been a grind to start the year. These boys have risen to the challenge.”
That rise included 466 yards of rushing offense, with Xavier Jimenez getting 159 of those yards and Jonathan Lara racking up 91 on his own. O’Brian Diaz also stood out for 56 yards receiving and a 30-yard punt return. QB Thiebaud also put up solid numbers with 118 yards of passing offense for three touchdowns.
When asked what stood out most, other than the scoreboard, the defensive-minded Coach Thiebaud was quick with his answer. “The defense was flying. That’s what we’ve been on track trying, we’ve just got to keep at it.”
The Eagles had a greater Time of Possession, but in the end the Longhorn defense held TLCA to only 159 yards of offense with Jeremiah Rosales and Andrew Bustillos forcing two interceptions and a fumble.
Next week the now 1-3 Longhorns welcome the West Texas Comanches to Mitchell-Zimmerman Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
