Quarterback Kathen Fun-burg’s four scoring passes, one touchdown and 12 tackles helped the Eagles defeat Rosebud-Lott 35-28 to clinch a spot in the 2018 2A UIL state playoffs.
“We had some big plays early in the game,” said Chad Lagrone, Milano High School head football coach. “That gave us a lot of momentum.”
Both teams were neck-and-neck in the first half. Rosebud-Lott took the lead halfway through the first on an 11-yard run by Haven Mortimer. Ty Stock made the point-after-touchdown (PAT) to put the Cougars ahead 7-0.
Twenty seconds later, Fun-burg found Jones open for a 52-yard pass. Funburg and Jones reunited again for another touchdown near the end of the quarter, this time for a 60-yard pass. Kevin Garcia made both PAT’s to make it 14-7.
Early in the second quarter, the Cougars tied the game on an eight-yard run by Ethan Easley, but the Eagles retained the lead when Funburg found Christian Thurman open for a 53-yard pass. Rosebud continued the game of cat-and-mouse when Mortimer scored on a 16-yard run with four minutes left in the half.
With a minute to play in the second quarter, Funburg found Devonte connected a third time for a 15-yard pass. Garcia’s PAT put the Eagles ahead 28-21 going into halftime.
The Eagle defense stopped Rosebud-Lott from scoring in the third quarter and secured the lead with a two-yard touchdown run by Funburg. Garcia made the PAT to put Milano ahead 35-21.
“It was a very physical game,” Lagrone said. “Our coaches did a great job of keeping our players on track.”
The Eagle defense shut down the Cougars offense for the remainder of the game. Rosebud-Lott’s one touchdown in the final quarter came when Jared Hudson recovered a fumble in the Cougar end zone with three minutes left in the game. Ty Stock made the PAT to bring his team within a score of the visiting team, but Milano held on to get their fourth district win, and a playoff spot.
“It was a team effort to put us into the position we are in now,” said Lagrone.
Of the 195 yards Funburg amassed passing 180 were a part of a touchdown play. Defense was also key to an Eagle victory. Three players had more than 10 tackles including Danny Cloud 13, Funburg 12 and Jeremy Reyes 11.
Holland – The Eagles play in their final district game against Holland 7:30 p.m., Friday at home. The Hornets have clinched first place and ran the table in district 13-2A DI play. The Bell County boys won their past five district games by an average of 29.4 points and beat Thrall 63-14 last week in Holland.
“We’ve lost some key guys to injury,” Lagrone said. “But we are trying to get ready for a really good team.”
Scoring summary
First quarter
Rosebud-Lott—Haven Mortimer 11 run (Ty Stock kick) 6:20
Milano—Devonte Jones 52 pass from Kathen Funburg (Kevin Garcia kick) 5:56
Milano—Devonte Jones 60 pass from Kathen Funburg (Garcia kick) 1:51
Second quarter
Rosebud-Lott-Easley 8 run (Stock PAT) 8:14.
Milano- Thurman 53 pass from Fun-burg (Garcia PAT) 7:58.
Rosebud-Lott- Mortimer 16 run (Stock PAT) 4:22.
Milano- Jones 15 pass from Funburg (Garcia PAT) 0:41.
Third quarter
Milano- Funburg 2 run (Garcia PAT) 2:18.
Fourth quarter
Rosebud-Lott- Hudson fumble recovery in end zone (Stock PAT) 3:15.
MHS individual leaders
Rushing: Funburg 14-27, 1 TD; Jones 4-4; Kameron Funburg 1-3; Thurman 9-0.
Passing: Funburg 6-10-0 195 yards, 4 TD.
Receiving: Jones 4-38, 3 TD; Thurman 2-67, 1 TD.
Tackles: Cloud 13, Kam. Funburg 10, Reyes 11, Thurman 8, Noah Benavides 8, Kat. Funburg 8, Marquise Jones 4, Alec Hernandez 4, Garcia 4, Ben King 2, Elijah Smith 1, Jones 1, Ryland Kirk 1, Darius West 1, Brett Czajkowski 1. Last week: Holland 63, Thrall 14; Hearne 59, Marlin 7.
This week: Marlin at Thorndale; Rosebud-Lott at Hearne.
- Log in or Subscribe to post comments.