Exporters sail to victory
When the Rattlers needed big catches, they turned to Kaddon Hubbard, who was un-guardable. He hauled in several big catches down the stretch, but Navasota fell short 33-27. Examiner photo by Matthew Ybarra
Navasota junior receiver Devin Nuñez hauled in his first varsity touchdown during second-quarter action against Brazosport. Hudson Minor connected with Nuñez who took it 51 yards for the score. The Exporters won 33-27. Examiner photo by Matthew Ybarra
By Matthew Ybarra
Managing editor
FREEPORT – Navasota turns into Spartan fans this Friday, as they look for help from Stafford to advance to the post season. The Rattlers couldn’t clinch a playoff spot against Brazosport as the Exporters sailed away with a 33-27 win.
If Stafford defeats Bay City, then Navasota will advance to the post season for the fifth consecutive season under Navasota Head Coach Casey Dacus.
On a wet field with strong winds, the Rattlers gave the Exporters an early lead. On the first play of the game, Navasota fumbled on the handoff exchange and Brazosport’s Darius Roberson returned it for the score. Randon Fontenette ran in the conversion for the 8-0 lead and the only score of the quarter.
Dacus talked about the tough loss. “We fumbled the ball on the very first play of the game and they run it back for six points. Then we jump offsides twice and give them a chance to go for a two-point conversion and they get it, so automatically were down eight less than a minute in the game,” he explained.
Navasota marched to the Exporter 1-yard line, but following consecutive false start penalties, had to settle for a 26-yard field goal from Juan Vargas. Both teams scored a combined 36 points in the quarter.
Savion Lewis hauled in the first of his two first half touchdown receptions, this one good for 17 yards with 6:18 remaining. Navasota answered on a 70-yard run by Deontray Scott. Vargas split the uprights.
The Exporters added to their lead on Lewis’s nine-yard reception. Again, Navasota answered. Hudson Minor connected with Devin Nuñez, who took it 51 yards for his first varsity touchdown. Vargas remained perfect to pull within 21-17.
“I thought Devin played great,” said Dacus. “We probably didn’t get the ball to him enough. We were trying in the third and fourth quarters to get it to him once they softened up coverage on him after he ran past them on the touchdown earlier. I thought he and Kaddon Hubbard inside played really well. Cameron Ross had some opportunities, but we couldn’t get it to him, and I know conditions factored into that.”
With 3-seconds remaining, Fontenette threw into a sea of defenders, but managed to connect with Toric Goins in the endzone as time expired. The extra-point failed finalizing the first half score 27-17.
Navasota recovered consecutive fumbles to begin the second half but managed to only turn one into points. The first fumble was recovered by Nicholas Castañeda at the Exporter 13-yard line. Scott ran it in on the ensuing play. Vargas converted the kick to pull within 27-24. Noah Silcox recovered the second fumble, but Navasota couldn’t capitalize.
Brazosport re-extended their lead with 2:11 remaining in the third on a one-yard run. The conversion failed.
Navasota put together a strong drive with multiple big catches from Kaddon Hubbard and Nuñez, however the drive stalled, and Juan Vargas kicked a 27-yard field goal with 2:44 remaining.
The Rattlers took over with under a minute remaining and three timeouts but eventually turned the ball over on downs. With the victory sealed, Brazosport elected to run a play in hopes of increasing the margin of victory to clinch a playoff spot. The ball was fumbled, and Navasota took over with 17 seconds remaining. Navasota threw consecutive incompletions to end the game.
The Exporters only hope for a playoff appearance is beating El Campo on the road. Navasota enters a bye week with all eyes focused on the Stafford versus Bay City game hoping their season is extended.