The Milano Eagles lost an emotional battle to the district 13-2A DI champion Holland 52-6 on Friday at Pruitt Field.
Two players from both teams were ejected in the fourth quarter after a post-play scuffle, according to a Milano statistician.
“We are moving on to prepare for Mason,” said Chad Lagrone, Milano High School head football coach.
The Hornets built a twenty-point lead in the opening quarter. First, with a 34-yard touchdown run by quarterback Zane Spinn four minutes into the game. Less than two minutes later, Spinn threw a 12-yard pass to wide receiver Ashton Morris. Kicker Brandon Ramos made the point-after-touchdown (PAT) both times and failed to make a third, after running back Clay Cooper scored a 26-yard run.
The Eagles trailed 20-0 going into the second quarter.
In the second quarter, Holland tacked on 12 more points. Spinn threw his second touchdown pass of the game to Brady Shelton for 22 yards. The Bell County boys failed to complete a two-point conversion. Five minutes later, Shelton was back in the end zone after a two-yard run. For their next conversion, Holland attempted to pass the ball, but failed. At half time, the score was 32-0.
At the beginning of the second half, the Hornets scored twice. Cooper broke away for a 77-yard run to cross the goal line in the opening minute, and Elijah Botts recovered a fumble for a 14-yard touchdown, thirty seconds later. Ramos missed the first PAT, and made the second to put Holland up 45-0.
A minute later, the Milano Eagles scored on a 47-yard pass from Kathen Funburg to Christian Thurman. The two-point conversion failed, making the score 45-6 with more than nine minutes to go in the third quarter.
Holland scored once more in the quarter, when Cooper ran for his second touchdown of the game, this time for two yards. Ramos made the PAT, putting Holland ahead 52-6 going into the fourth quarter.
By this time, players and fans on both sides were unruly, so officials had the teams kneel the ball rather than call the game in the final eight minutes, according to the statistician.
They had both teams remain on the sidelines until the bleachers were cleared.
Bi-district – For the bi-district round of the UIL 2A DI state playoffs, the Milano Eagles face the Mason Punchers.
In Texas Football Magazine, Mason is ranked number one in class 2A DI and is 10-0 this season. Former Thorndale head football coach, Kade Burns has racked up 94 wins in seven seasons leading the Punchers. All but one of Mason’s wins were by four or more touchdowns this season.
Burns and his squad made the regional finals in 2017 and lost five players on both sides of the ball. Their core players have returned and are “...poised to make a run”, according to Texas Football.
The Punchers are dependent on their backfield with Jake Cockerham and Klay Karner. Cockerham was the district 14-2A DI MVP and a Texas Sports Writers Association (TSWA) all-state selection in 2017. He rushed for 1,100 yards and 35 touchdowns, and Karner had a total of 1,400 yards in the same season. Mason’s quarterback Otto Wofford was the offensive MVP in district 14-2A DI, and is behind the center in 2018.
“They are the number one ranked team in state,” Lagrone said. “We will be ready to compete.”
Scoring summary
First quarter
Holland—Zane Spinn 34 run (Brandon Ramos kick) 7:52
Holland—Ashton Morris 12 pass from Spinn (Ramos kick) 5:53
Holland—Clay Cooper 26 run (kick failed) 2:35
Second quarter
Holland—Brady Shelton 22 pass from Spinn (run failed) 10:07
Holland—Shelton 2 run (pass failed) 4:56.
Third quarter
Holland—Cooper 77 run (kick failed) 11:16
Holland—Elijah Botts 14 fumble recovery (Ramos kick) 10:47
Milano—Christian Thurman 47 pass from Kathen Funburg (run failed) 9:32 Holland—Cooper 2 run (Ramos kick) 2:37
RHS individual leaders
Rushing: Kathen Funburg 18-37; Christian Thurman 4-20; Kameron Funburg 1-(-7); Team 7-(-18).
Passing: Kathen Funburg 7-16-0 152 yards 1TD; Christian Thurman 1-1-0 5 yards.
Receiving: Christian Thurman 5-95-1TD; Arthur Soto 2-48; Noah Benavides 1-9; Kameron Funburg 1-5.
Last week: Thorndale 35, Marlin 3, Hearne 46, Rosebud-Lott 0.
This week: Thorndale vs. Center Poitn; Hearne vs. Brackett; Junction vs. Holland.
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