Ricebirds blank Wharton, pour on scores
By KRIS BAGLEY sports@leader-news.com

L-N Photo by Chris Barbee Going In For The Score Ricebird running back Maverick Smith (2) reaches for the goal line to complete a 9-yard touchdown run with 4:52 left in the first half. The TD put El Campo up over Wharton 21-0. EC would score once more before the half, and would shut out the Tigers in the annual River Battle, 42-0. Trailing the play is 'Bird lineman Junior Tompkins (74).

Head Coach Bob Gillis described El Campo's 42-0 win over Wharton Friday as bitter sweet.

Sweet because of the victory and bitter because of a loss.

In the second play of the third quarter, El Campo lost its starting quarterback Dakota Pietsch indefinitely with what is believed to be a fractured left clavicle.

"Dakota had worked so dad gum hard to finally start at quarterback and was doing a wonderful job of leading the team," Gillis said. "He went down with a hurt collarbone."

El Campo kicked off to Wharton to start the game, but in three short plays, the Ricebirds snatched the ball and prepared to score.

Kris Escobar recovered a fumble on a Tiger third down. He dove on the ball and set up El Campo's scoring streak on the Wharton 35-yard line.

The Ricebirds drove quickly for their first of many scores.

Anthony Terrell anchored the drive with a pair of runs, including the final blast into the end zone.

A 3-yard carry by Terrell finished El Campo's first scoring drive. Tyler Woods came through with the extra point and the 'Birds had a 7-0 lead.

Wharton was held to a punt in their next possession. El Campo was eventually forced to punt as well, but the boot by Woods ended up as the equivalent to a long passing play.

The football grazed a Tiger while Wharton was back to receive and the Ricebirds fell on it to take the ball at Wharton's 19 yard line.

Four plays later and Terrell had his second score of the night.

The fullback ran the ball in for a 10- yard touchdown and gave the 'Birds a 14-0 lead with 3:22 remaining in the first quarter.

El Campo's next score came in the second quarter.

The Ricebirds started their drive on their own 3 with 7:28 left in the half and drove the distance to extend the lead.

The big play of the series was a long pass play.

Dakota Pietsch connected with Larry Williams for a 32- yard pass to set up El Campo at the 9-yard line.

The next play was a rushing touchdown by Maverick Smith to gave El Campo a 21-0 lead with 4:52 remaining in the first half. Woods kicked his third PAT.

The Ricebirds soon got the ball back and with 3:43 left, started their last scoring drive of the first half.

Smith and Terrell shared carries to bring El Campo inside the Tigers' 20 yard line. A couple of plays later and Pietsch connected with Williams again - this time for six.

The duo came through with a 17-yard passing play for another touchdown. Woods nailed the extra point and El Campo led 28-0 at the end of the first half.

The second half started off with a special-teams explosion.

Landon Appling returned the opening kickoff 77 yards to set the Ricebirds up on Wharton's 13.

Two plays later, Pietsch left the game on a stretcher after being injured on a quarterback keeper around the left side after picking up four yards.

After a long delay, Woods came in at quarterback and handed off to Terrell for a 4- yard touchdown run. Gabe Lara kicked the extra point to give El Campo a 35-0 lead with 10:49 left in the third quarter.

The Ricebird defense did a great job of keeping Wharton out of the end zone for the remainder of the game.

El Campo scored once more, late in the fourth quarter.

With 1:50 left in the game, Caleb Fisher broke free of the Tiger defense and burst into the end zone for the final touchdown of the night. Lara's extra point gave the game the final score of 42-0.