Slow start costs Cleburne in loss at Lake Belton
Oct. 1—BELTON — The Cleburne Yellow Jackets fell behind 37-0 at halftime before a strong second-half effort in a 58-27 loss to the Lake Belton Broncos on Friday at Belton ISD's Tiger Field.
A week after getting shut out for the second time this season, the Jackets (0-6, 0-4) established a new season high in points scored in a game thanks to their 27-point performance in the second half — by far Cleburne's most productive half of the season offensively. But the Broncos' 37-point cushion at halftime was too much to overcome as Lake Belton improved to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in District 4-5A Division I play.
Lake Belton racked up 499 yards from scrimmage and 22 first downs while Cleburne managed 300 yards of total offense and 15 first downs.
Lake Belton star receiver Micah Hudson had nine catches for 189 yards and a touchdown to lead the way for the Broncos while quarterback Connor Crews completed 14-of-22 passes for 237 yards, three touchdowns (two rushing, one passing) and one interception.
Cleburne senior quarterback Landry Shields completed 10-of-23 passes for 196 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while Dorian Potter racked up 106 receiving yards and a touchdown on just three catches to lead the Jackets.
Lake Belton got on the board in the game's opening seconds when Crews scored on a 14-yard run for an early 7-0 lead after a Cleburne turnover.
The Broncos made it 14-0 on a four-yard run by Tristan Robin before Lake Belton's defense sacked Shields in the end zone for a safety and a 16-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Robin added touchdown runs of three and two yards in the second quarter sandwiched around a 51-yard touchdown reception from Hudson to give the Broncos a 37-0 halftime lead.
The Jackets got on the scoreboard early in the third quarter on a 42-yard interception return for a touchdown by James Reynolds, Jr. — his second interception of the season and the second pick-6 of Reynolds' career.
However, Lake Belton matched its 21-point second quarter with 21 more points in the third quarter. After Reynolds' pick-6, the Broncos scored on a 12-yard run by D'Arius Wilkerson for a 44-7 lead.
Cleburne's Anthony Terronez kicked a 24-yard field goal before Crews scored on a one-yard run to bring the score to 51-10.
The Jacket offense had its biggest play of the game when Shields connected with Potter for a 43-yard touchdown pass to make it 51-17.
Lake Belton scored on a 40-yard run by Floyd Bristol late in the third quarter for the Broncos' final points of the night.
In the fourth quarter, Shields threw a six-yard touchdown toss to Logan Schroyer before Terronez connected on a 32-yard field goal to produce the final margin.
Jayshaun Scales was a workhorse for Cleburne, toting the rock 25 times for 73 yards while Potter added 32 rushing yards on eight carries in addition to his 100-yard receiving performance. Malachi Cunningham had five catches for 74 yards for the Jackets.
The combined record of Cleburne's first six opponents (Houston Heights, Midlothian Heritage, Killeen, Granbury, Midlothian and Lake Belton) at this point of the season is 25-8. The combined record of Cleburne's first four district opponents is 18-4.
Cleburne will host Killeen Ellison (2-3, 1-2) in week 7 action.
