Grand Saline runs wild in 35-27 win over Palmer

Published 11:07 pm Friday, September 6, 2024

GRAND SALINE — Grand Saline rushed for nearly 500 yards as Jett Taylor and Colt Boyd combined for 451 yards rushing to pace the Indians past Palmer for a 35-27 victory at Carter Elliott Field.

Grand Saline (2-0) took the opening kickoff Friday night and immediately got on the scoreboard for an early, 7-0 lead as quarterback Jett Taylor led the Indians on a long scoring drive by reeling off five runs for 35 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown run.

Palmer (1-1) responded with a nice drive of their own as quarterback Eric Cisneros completed four passes for 50 yards before throwing a 25-yard scoring strike across the middle to AJ Cisneros as the Bulldogs trimmed the deficit, 7-6.

Grand Saline relied heavily on its ground game as Taylor and Colt Boyd combined for 150 yards rushing in the first half alone. The Indians had success running the ball and controlling the clock which helped keep Palmer’s high prolific air attack somewhat at bay in the first half.

Grand Saline put together another scoring drive late in the first half as Taylor and Boyd went back to work picking up big chunks on the ground. Taylor weaved his way in and around several defenders for a 28-yard run into Bulldog territory then Boyd pounded his way for a couple of first down runs.

Taylor continued to work his way around the ends with a couple of runs for 20 yards then Boyd slammed through the line for a 9-yard score to give the Indians a 14-6 lead with 2:44 left in the second quarter. Boyd finished the game with 223 yards rushing on 22 carries.

Palmer tied the game, 14-14, early in the third quarter when Eric Cisneros tossed a 24-yard touchdown pass to Cannon Cisneros, but the lead changed hands on Grand Saline’s next possession.

Once again, Grand Saline continued to grind it out on the ground as Taylor and Boyd took turns battering through the line. Boyd reeled off four runs for 31 yards which led to a sensational 38-yard touchdown run by Taylor, who shot up the middle before juking a pair of defenders on his way to the end zone to give the Indians a 20-14 lead.

Grand Saline turned up the heat on defense as it dropped Eric Cisneros for a couple of sacks to force the Bulldogs into a punt. The Indians picked up where they left off on offense and again it was Boyd inflicting most of the damage with four punishing runs for 57 yards, including an 11-yard score to give Grand Saline a 28-14 lead late in the third quarter.

Palmer quickly got back in the game early in the fourth quarter when Eric Cisneros exploded for a 51-yard touchdown run to cut the deficit, 28-21 with 11:03 left in the game.

Palmer came up with a huge defensive stop as the skies opened in a torrential downpour and the Bulldogs immediately turned it into a score when Eric Cisneros hauled in a 31-yard touchdown pass from AJ Cisneros. Palmer decided to roll the dice and go for the lead on a 2-point try but Cisneros’ pass was batted away

Grand Saline held a slim, 28-27 lead but Taylor quickly gave the Indians some breathing room when he turned the corner for a 59-yard touchdown run down the left side to make the score, 35-27 with 4:13 left in the game. Taylor finished the night with 228 rushing yards on 16 carries.

Palmer had one last chance to try and tie the game late in the fourth quarter, but the Indians came up with a big play when they jarred the ball away from Eric Cisneros and recovered it to cement a 35-27 win in the rain.

Grand Saline looks to remain unbeaten next week while they travel to Emory to take on Rains.

Grand Saline vs. Palmer

GS- Jett Taylor 5 run (Ernesto Tovar kick) 10:52 1Q

p- AJ Cisneros 25 pass from Eric Cisneros (kick failed) 3:10 1Q

GS- Colt Boyd 9 run (Tovar kick) 2:44 2Q

P- Safety, snap sailed out of end zone 1:20 2Q

P- Cannon Cisneros 24 pass from Eric Cisneros (kick failed) 9:16 3Q

GS- Taylor 38 run (kick failed) 5:36 3Q

GS- Boyd 11 run (Blaine Thompson pass from Taylor) 0:58 3Q

P- Eric Cisneros 51 run (PAT) 11:03 4Q

P- AJ Cisneros 31 pass from Eric Cisneros (2-pt pass failed) 5:08 4Q

GS- Taylor 59 run (Tovar kick) 4:24 4Q

Passing

Grand Saline- Jett Taylor (5-10-0-33). Palmer- Eric Cisneros (12-26-1-224)

Rushing

Grand Saline- Jett Taylor 16-228, Colt Boyd 22-223, Kolton Prox 1-14, Blaine Thompson 2-14, Pedro Elizalde 1-2. Palmer- Eric Cisneros 19-105, AJ Cisneros 1-2, Ryker Gorrell 1-(-2).

Receiving

Grand Saline Colt Boyd 2-14, Francisco Elizalde 1-9, Kolton Prox 1-5, Blaine Thompson 1-5. Palmer- AJ Cisneros 5-116, Cannon Cisneros 4-62, Jace Jones 3-46.