Before taking the field for their meeting on Thursday at Lowrey Field at PlainsCapital Park, Randall and Estacado were known for putting points on the board. The Raiders had averaged 39.25 points per game, as the Matadors averaged 33.5 points per outing.
What transpired was a battle of defenses.
Following three scoreless periods, Estacado scored two unanswered touchdowns to take Randall out of the realm of the unbeaten with a 14-7 outcome. The Raiders broke the scoring drought with 10:04 to go, before the Matadors answered with touchdown runs down the closing stretch.
Senior utility man Cedric Ross was still able to capture lightning for Estacado, rushing for 105 yards on 16 carries while reeling in three receptions for 35 yards. Overall, the Mats churned out 241 yards on the ground.
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Estacado improved to 3-2 overall, and has won three of their last four games.
The Matadors will look to stretch their current win streak to three, playing host to Andrews (1-3) at 7 p.m. next Thursday at Lowrey Field at PlainsCapital Park. The Mustangs face Monahans on Friday at Estes Memorial Stadium in Monahans.
Even though the Raiders were limited to just 241 total yards of offense, senior quarterback Kaison Benton went 15-of-25 for 135 yards and one touchdown while rushing for 23 yards on five carries. Sophomore wideout Kobe Baccas snagged five to those passes for 80 yards.
Randall dipped down to a 4-1 record.
The Raiders will take next week off, preparing for their District 2-4A opener against Dumas, set for 7 p.m. on Oct. 9 at Happy State Bank Stadium in Canyon. The Demons (3-1) go up against Bushland on Friday at Falcon Stadium in Bushland.
A defensive battle prevailed all throughout the first half, with Estacado holding a time possession advantage over the Raiders. The Mats held onto the football for 17 minutes, 38 seconds compared to the Raiders’ mere six minutes, 22 seconds.
Over the course of the first half, the Mats did lose a fumble and the Raiders were short of the sticks on a fourth down.
The third quarter witnessed the trend continue, forcing both teams with 12 minutes left to strike pay dirt.
Randall was first to break the deadlock, finishing off a short, 41-yard drive with a 16-yard touchdown connection between Benton and senior receiver Conner Miller. With 10:04 remaining and a successful PAT from junior Jacob Avalos, as the Raiders held a 7-0 lead.
It didn’t take the Matadors long to even things out, polishing up a quick three-play drive with a 40 yard touchdown run from senior James Bozeman. En route to the endzone, Bozeman spun out of two tackles to put six on the board.
Bozeman ended the night with 63 yards on 14 carries.
Within a 46-second timespan and a PAT from Estevan Rodriguez, the game was tied once more at seven points apiece. After forcing the Raiders into another three-and-out, Estacado cashed in on the opportunity.
It was Ross who put the Matadors over the top, scampering into paydirt from 23 yards out with 2:56 to go. Rodriguez’s second PAT was successful, providing Estacado with a 14-7 lead.
Randall had two more chances to force overtime, but were turned away both times by the Matador defensive unit.
The Raiders had won the turnover battle, reeling in one fumble recovery and an interception, but amassed 126 yards on 10 penalties. Estacado came out with nine penalties for 80 yards.
Estacado freshman quarterback Jay’Ric Ward was 8-of-12 for 60 yards, and senior Donivan Torrez contributed with 59 yards on 10 rushing attempts.
Miller finished with five catches for 33 yards, while junior Drayden Ray picked up 32 yards on 10 carries with four catches for 17 yards.