It was all Blanco all the time.

The Panther varsity football team avenged its 2019 season-ending loss to the Johnson City Eagles in style as they rolled over their in-county rival with a 63-7 road win Friday.

In 2019, the Panthers and the Eagles were in the same district. The Eagles came out strong in the final district game defeating Blanco 31-14. In a subsequent coin-toss decision for a playoff position, Blanco’s season ended. The Eagles advanced to the playoffs.

The situation has changed this year with both teams moving to different districts, Blanco to District 13-3A Division I and Johnson City to District 14-2A Division I. But some things never change – the rivalry between the two Blanco County teams. During this crazy year, 2020, the edge went to the Panthers – and in a big way.

Blanco’s Nathan Tomlinson kicked off to Johnson City as the Eagles started their first offensive series inside their own 5-yard line. The Panther defense started a trend on this first series, holding the Eagles and forcing them to punt as Brandon Gombert wrapped up the punter on a bobbled snap.

The Blanco offense took over at the Eagle 21 and needed just four plays to score, getting in on a 3-yard touchdown run by Devin Newsome for an early 6-0 lead.

Tomlinson’s kick off went to the Johnson City 10 and was returned to the 23, with Carson Smith making the stop. With tackles on rushing plays by Gavin Young, Preston Guinn, Jackson Cress, Gombert and Newsome, the Eagles punted to the Blanco 26 yard line.

Wasting no time to score again, quarterback Baylor Smith got the call and sprinted 74 yards to the end zone to add to the lead. Smith found Young on the two-point conversion play to put the Panthers up 14-0 with seven minutes left in the opening quarter.

The Blanco defense kept up its relentless play with tackles from Mitchell Hebert, Deonte Hector, Mason Groff, Carson Smith and Young to stop the home team in its tracks.

The Blanco offense took over at its own 48 and went to work on the way to paydirt once again. Baylor Smith and Jackson Cress moved the ball to the 14, where Newsome capped the drive with his second touchdown of the night for a 21-0 lead with 3:52 left in the first quarter.

Johnson City’s next drive was short-lived thanks to stellar defensive play once again. Newsome grabbed an Eagle pass attempt for the interception to get the ball back to the Panther offense. Three plays later, Baylor Smith connected with Cody Cross for six points and the Panthers led 27-0 after the first quarter of play.

The Panthers’ stingy defense went back to work and forced the Eagles to turn the ball over on downs at their own 32. Blanco’s Jackson Cress rushed 24 yards for the next Panther touchdown as they took a 34-0 lead early in the second quarter.

The Panthers put two additional second stanza scores on the Eagles to continue their rout. Baylor Smith found Young for six on a 45-yard pass play. Hebert hauled in an interception at the Johnson City 30-yard line on the next Eagle possession to give the Panthers good field position. Blanco capitalized on the turnover with another Baylor Smith touchdown pass to Cody Cross. The Panthers led 48-0 at halftime.

Blanco covered a Johnson City onside kick at the 50-yard line in the third quarter. Five plays later, Jackson Cress rushed for a nine yard touchdown run to add to the Panthers’ lead.

The Eagles scored their lone touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

With Young at quarterback position, the Panthers drove their next possession downfield with carries by Cade Cress, Carson Smith, Ashton Ortiz, Tomlinson and Young. Ortiz scored the touchdown and the two point conversion. Blanco won 63-7.

The Panthers played a well-balanced game, with seven offensive players finding the end zone. The offensive line opened holes for the ball carriers and protected the quarterbacks. The defense was also incredible, allowing only 20 net yards of rushing.

Newsome, a sophomore running back and linebacker, played an outstanding game with two touchdown runs, an interception and three tackles.

“I feel that Friday night’s game was a well-deserved win for us as a team,” Newsome said. “We had been waiting for that day to come ever since last year’s upset, since last year we have been recovering and getting stronger as a team.

“We have many leaders who help us to further progress and who hold us accountable! With a 4-1 record as of right now, I anticipate on going deep into playoffs and seeding high in district. As for myself, I want to continue to push myself through thick and thin and help take this team to the next level.”

Jackson Cress led the team rushing 105 on 13 carries. Cress and Newsome each scored two rushing touchdowns. Baylor Smith completed four-of-five passes for 85 yards with two touchdowns, and one rushing touchdown. Cross scored on two touchdown receptions.

Defensively, Hebert and Newsome each tallied an interception. Guinn recovered an Eagle fumble. Gombert and Hector each made seven tackles. Connor Cofield, Carson Smith, Young, Hebert and Cross each had four tackles.

The Panthers host the Canyon Lake Hawks Friday at 7:30 p.m. for their homecoming game.