Even during the first game of the season, sometimes you have to become the next man up early.
With senior Matthew Wheeler out due to an injured quad, Austin Bowie employed a two-quarterback system with sophomore Trinidad Sanders and junior Cade Foradory. Both enjoyed great success as Austin Bowie cruised to a 44-6 win in the inaugural game at The Pfield, Pflugerville’s shiny, new $21 million stadium.
“They stepped it up,” said junior wide receiver Elijah Higgins. “It’s great that they filled in and they did well. It boosted their confidence, got them on the field, got them experience that they maybe had not gotten, but they did well, and we’re all glad that we did what we did today.”
Sanders completed all four is his passes for 150 yards and three touchdowns while scooting for 93 yards and two scores on seven carries. Foradory completed 7-of-11 passes for 99 yards while adding 22 yards and a touchdown on four rushing attempts.
They were aided by a pair of receivers who will be giving opposing secondaries nightmares throughout the season. Senior Aizayah Santiago had three catches for 114 yards and two scores. Higgins made three grabs for 93 yards and a touchdown.
“(Our receivers) are really good athletes and our quarterbacks did a good job,” said Bowie head coach Jeff Ables. “(The quarterbacks) are young and we were concerned about how they’d come in and play but they did a good job. They’re gamers.”
Bowie’s defense put together another examplary season-opening performance against Pflugerville. The two teams have opened with each other every year since moving to separate districts in 2010. The Panthers were shutout last year, and scored just seven, 13 and 14 points in the three matchups before that.
On this day, Austin Bowie was in Pflugerville’s head from the get-go. The Panthers gained only 106 total yards in the first three quarters and its lone touchdown didn’t come until there was 8:29 left in the game.
“I’m really proud of our defense. They really got after it, especially against good athletes like they have,” Ables said. “That’s kind of our game of football, strong defense, and that’s kind of what helped us get off to a good start.”
Bowie used a series of big plays to build a monstrous first quarter lead.
Senior Terance Durst picked off a pass and returned it to the two-yard line on Pflugerville’s first offensive play. Sanders punched it on the next down for the Bulldog’s first score of the year.
Durst intercepted another pass on the next drive when a tipped ball fell into his lap. Bowie again capitalized on the following play with Santiago getting behind the defense for a 52-yard scoring reception.
A muffed punt set Bowie up Pflugerville’s 22-yard line for another quick touchdown drive, and with 1:22 left in the opening period, Higgins beat his man deep to haul in a 55-yarder that put Bowie up 28-0.
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The 2 interceptions were by Bowie junior DB Terance Durst, not Brennan Rogers. Thanks for the write-up!
Apologies for the error. That has been corrected in the article. Thanks for reading!