Goats blanked in first loss of season
Through the first two weeks of the 2020 football season the Groesbeck Goats were on a roll.
Week 3 – Friday, Sept. 11 – the wheels fell off in a 45-0 loss to the Little River Academy Bumblebees.
The Goats had their chances in the first half, but two lengthy drives were halted by turnovers and another drive fell victim to two consecutive penalties and a tackle-for-loss that had them punt on fourth-and-28 from their own 40.
Academy scored on its first drive of the game, starting at midfield and running it in from 35 yards out. The Bumblebees led 7-0 about 4 minutes into the game.
Academy scored on an 86-yard, broken-tackle run to make it 14-0 in the first quarter.
The Bumblebees then mounted a six-play drive and made it 21-0 early in the second quarter. A field goal ended the first-half scoring at 24-0.
The Bumblebees received the second-half kickoff and hogged the ball the whole quarter, scoring just inside the fourth to go up 38-0.
The miscues continued for the Goats. A great kickoff return was moved back to the Academy 21 yard line after a penalty. A tackle-for-loss moved the Goats back to the 25. Then a pass got them to the 20. Then a big run almost got them a first down, but was stopped at the 12 yard line after an 8-yard run.
The Groesbeck defense stiffened up and forced an Academy punt.
Starting on their own 38 yard line, the Goats again began to move the ball. Three nice runs put them on the Bumblebees’ 48 yard line and then a pass got them to the 33.
However, the drive ended in a sack-fumble returned for another Academy score that made it 45-0.
The Goats had one final shot at putting points on the board. Eight consecutive positive plays moved Groesbeck to the Academy 9 yard lie. The drive stalled there, and the Goats turned the ball over on downs.
Academy kneeled on the ball to run out the clock.
Groesbeck is now 2-1 and plays Palmer on the road at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18.
Little River Academy is 3-0 and will be tested by Lago Vista next week.
Editor’s note: Due to technical difficulties, individual plays and stats were not available. More complete information will be available in the Thursday, Sept. 17, issue of The Groesbeck Journal.