Apaches shut down Lady Apaches Tigers in district opener

The Gonzales Apaches took care of business at homecoming in the district opener against the Smithville Tigers Friday, Oct. 4, in a 48-12 shellacking at Apache Field.

The Apaches’ defense once again limited the opposing offense to just two scores in the game; Gonzales held all Tiger runners to under 100 yards.

“It was a great team performance, you know, from the defensive line, linebackers, secondary running a lot of option plays there. So it took a lot of disciplined defense and team responsibility defense, and our guys did a great job,” Apaches head football Joey Rivera said.

The Apaches forced two turnovers by sophomore linebacker Luis Zuniga Jr. and an interception by senior linebacker River Van Kirk.

Senior defensive end Jermane Upshaw led the team with seven total tackles and a sack in the win over the Tigers.

“Our line was ready to end it off real quick. I'm not gonna lie. We're just ready. We're ready and hungry,” Upshaw said.

The Apaches offense on the ground recorded 261 yards on 38 carries; Gonzales junior running back David Clack III rushed for 115 yards on 11 carries and scored three touchdowns.

“The coaches put the ball in my hands a lot this game. I had to talk to them and stuff over the practice. and then we've been practicing it this whole week, trying to get these plays down,” Clack said.

Gonzales sophomore quarterback Tyler Hoffman rushed for 68 yards on eight carries for one touchdown and passed for 64 yards and connected with receiver Damion Hunt for a touchdown.

Hunt recorded four catches for 38 yards and a score; and his longest catch was for 17 yards.

Hoffman said it felt good to get the win against Smithville on homecoming night.

The Apaches will make a long road trip to Lago Vista Friday, Oct. 11 for the second district game of the season.

The Vikings are 4-2 on the season and 1-1 in district play.

“Just as we've been preparing all year long, making sure that we get better as a team, making sure the Apaches get better, because right now we feel like we're the ones that are in our way, and we've got to get out of our own way, at time to take care of each other,” Rivera said.

The Lago Vista game kicks off at 7:30 p.m.

--STATS--

OFFENSE:

Passing:

T. Hoffman: 5/9 completions for 64 yards and one touchdown

Receiving:

D. Hunt: Four receptions for 38 yards and one touchdown

D. Clack III: one reception for 26 yards

Rushing:

D. Clack III: 11 carries for 115 yards and three touchdowns

T. Hoffman: eight carries for 68 yards and one touchdown

Ayden Ramirez: 10 carries for 44 yards and one touchdown

Keath White: two carries for for 23 yards and one touchdown

DEFENSE:
Tackles:

J. Upshaw: seven total tackles

Daevien Pitts, R. Van Kirk, Brealien Jones: six total tackles

Christian Jurek: five total tackles

K. White and Joshua Anthony: four total tackles

D. Clack III, Landon Rhodes, and John Izaguirre: three tackles

Marcus Izaguirre, Sebastian Gallegos, Bryce Eleby, Omar Borjon, and Hector Reyna: two total tackles

L. Luis Zuniga and Christopher Cortez: one total tackle

Sacks:

J. Upshaw: one sack

Interceptions:

R. Van Kirk: one interception