Prairie Lea pummels Pawnee in shortened contest, 75-0

LPR staff

PRAIRIE LEA – Playing its seniors for only a quarter and emptying the entire bench in the one half of football played at Indian Field Friday night was hardly enough to keep the score from being lopsided as Prairie Lea rolled over first-year program Pawnee in just two quarters of play, 75-0.

“I don’t know what you can get out of a game like this, but the way I look at it is at least we’re 3-1 and not 1-3,” Prairie Lea Head Coach Steve Brown said.

The Indians’ 3-1 start is its best since 2016 when the Indians were 7-1 before dropping its final two games and missing out on the postseason, which remains Texas’ longest playoff drought (1949 was the last visit to the playoffs for Prairie Lea).

Friday night was simply a matter of time, which the Indians used the most of in routing Pawnee.

Prairie Lea scored four touchdowns in the first quarter and seven in the second period. Included among the bevy of scores was a fumble return for a touchdown and four interception returns, including three by sophomore Brayden Fiscus. In fact, the final trio of touchdowns in the second period were “pick sixes.”

Jimmy Soberanes ran the ball just twice, scoring both times in the first quarter. He scored first on a 14-yard run and again on a 30-yard run.

Joe Zapata returned a fumble 20 yards to pay dirt and Brayden Fiscus return an interception 36 yards for a TD to complete the first-quarter scoring. Lane Fiscus added two extra-points runs and Soberanes’ one to give Prairie Lea a 27-0 lead at the half.

In the second quarter, Gilberto Garcia scored on a 36-yard run, adding the extra-point run as well. Garcia scored from 20 yards out on the next drive and Jesus Perez added the extra-point run for a 41-0 advantage.

Jordan Zapata got in on the scoring with a 26-yard run, followed by Justice Zapata’s extra-point run for a 48-0 lead.

Kendall Nelson scored the final offensive touchdown for Prairie Lea on a 28-yard run, followed by Jordan Zapata’s extra-point run and a 55-0 lead.

The final three touchdowns by Prairie Lea were each interception returns, first on a 52-yard return by Jaiden Zapata, second on a 20-yard return by Brayden Fiscus, and another 40-yard return by Brayden Fiscus. Justice Zapata and Nelson added extra-point runs for the final margin.

Gilberto Garcia led Prairie Lea in rushing with 56 yards on two carries, also scoring on both runs.

Prairie Lea did not attempt a pass.

Prairie Lea will host Round Rock Christian Academy Friday at Indian Field. The Crusaders are 2-2 on the season after beating Kerrville’s Our Lady of the Hills last week, 64-18.