Southwest blanks Eagle Pass in 4^th quarter for win

Southwest (2-3) scored 13 unnaswered points in the fourth quarter on two Jonathan Cruz touchdown runs to end a two-game losing streak with a 54-44 win Thursday at Eagle Pass (3-2).

Cruz ran for 289 yards and six touchdowns on 36 carries. The senior scored on an 11-yard run with 8:48 remaining and a 35-yarder to cap the scoring just 1:24 before the end.

Prior to Cruz’s fifth touchdown, the game had been tied six times.

Cruz matched the Eagles’ first two touchdowns with a pair of three-year runs, tying the score as the first quarter came to a close. Fellow senior back Reilly Riggs (103 yards, 18 carries) scored on a two-yarder for a 21-14 advantage with 9:19 until the half.

Eagle Pass’ Ty Chisum, who ran for four touchdowns and had a reception on a trick play for another, regained the lead with two touchdowns in the quarter. Cruz made it 28-28 at halftime with a 58-yard scoring dash.

Cruz also gave the Dragons the upper hand with the first touchdown of the second half, but Chisum (184 rushing yards) matched it with a 14-yard run and added a two-point conversion.

Trailing 36-35, Southwest scored on a 63-yard pass play from senior quarterback Bowen Crisp (2 of 4, 82 yards) to Levi Pompa with 1:38 remaining in the third quarter. Eleven seconds later, Eagle Pass led 44-41 after a 67-yard run from Mark Benejas.

The Eagles weren’t able to score again, despite outgaining the Dragons 530-488 in total yardage. Chisum passed for 207 yards, but Southwest had two interceptions.