Texas Leadership-Abilene drops 11-man opener to Water Valley
WATER VALLEY − Texas Leadership Charter Academy began its 11-man football era Friday night against an opponent also makes its way up from six-man.
Water Valley, which won 12 games last year, proved up to its challenge, taking an 80-19 win over the Abilene team.
The Eagles played three seasons of six-man ball, the past two as a UIL team. TLCA was 3-7 in 2021.
"Six-man or 11-man, that's a good team," TLCA coach Jeremy Kirk said.
The Wildcats proved more physical and stymied the Eagles' run game, forcing the team to pass more than Kirk wanted.
But special teams proved an obstacle for TLCA, which gave up three punt returns for touchdowns, including two in the first quarter.
"We preach to our kids that it takes every aspect of the game," Kirk said. "Offense, defense and special teams. We need to do a better job of preparing them."
Quarterback Jonathan Rico passed for two touchdowns and ran for his team's other score. Rico was 9 of 34 for 175 yards with one interception. He also lost a fumble.
Jay Kirk had five catches for 132 yards and both TDs.
Manuel Rios had three catches for 43 yards.
Rico ran 9 times for 48 yards
"We played decent in the first half and better in the second half," Kirk said.
TLCA looks for its first 11-man win against Munday, a team that did not win a game last year but took an 18-14 victory over Mercy Culture Prep in former Wylie assistant Webb Murphy's debut as the team's head coach. The Moguls' point total equaled its 2021 high.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Texas Leadership-Abilene drops 11-man opener to Water Valley
