In their final pre-district tune up of the season Friday, the Wimberley Texans were dealt a reality check.
Six total touchdowns by quarterback Wilson Long carried the private school powerhouse Regents Knights to a 38-14 win over Wimberley, handing the Texans its first loss of the season.
As district play looms, Texan head coach Doug Warren said the team plans to learn from their miscues and rest up before the real season begins.
Wimberley (3-1) struggled to limit Long from making critical impact plays on the field. Three of Long’s six total scores consisted of plays that went for more than 30 yards. Long amassed 354 of the Knights’ 454 total yards on offense and tallied a 65-yard touchdown pass and a 63-yard touchdown run in the game.
Regents leapt out to an early 10-0 first quarter lead highlighted by a 65-yard strike from Long to wide receiver Josh Franklin on the second play of the Knight’s opening drive.
Wimberley cut the Knight lead to 10-2 later in frame via a safety, aided by a key coffin corner punt by senior Manny Esquina.
Warren said Esquina’s punting ability is “such an invaluable asset, especially when you can flip the field.”
The Texan defense carried that momentum into the second frame when they forced Regents’ offense to turn the ball over on downs. Wimberley’s offense found its groove and went on a methodical 13-play, 81-yard drive complete with a pair of dramatic fourth-down conversions.
A one-yard plunge by Texan quarterback Cooper McCollum further cut the Knights’ lead to 10-8 with just under four minutes left in the first half.
But the Texans drew no closer as Regents exploded for 21 unanswered points to take a 31-8 lead early in the second half. That included a 14 point outburst scored over a 55 second span in the third frame.
On the opposite side, Wimberley’s offense struggled against a physical and speedy Regents defense that kept the Texans from sustaining drives. Warren said the Texans looked a little “off” Friday and didn’t take care of the little things, such as scoring critical blocks, needed for success.
Wimberley was limited to a 56-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter from McCollum to wide receiver Jaxson Watts. McCollum went 12 of 30 for 165 yards with a touchdown and interception passing, while also rushing for 38 yards and a score. Texan running back Jake Milam led the team with 59 yards rushing.
Warren said Milam is a “good power runner” and that he had the hot hand, “so we rolled with him.” In addition, the Texans also had to move McCollum out of the pocket more frequently to avoid pressure, Warren said.
Despite the loss, Warren said the Texans aim to take advantage of the off week before traveling to play Eastside Memorial at Nelson Field Oct. 10 for its district opener.
“It’s district play now. The kids realize every game matters,” Warren said. “We’ll be ready to go in two weeks. We’ll bounce back.”
