New Braunfels Canyon secured the coveted No. 2 seed from District 12-5A-I after a hard-fought 14-7 victory against Wagner on Friday night at Cougar Stadium in New Braunfels, clinching an opening-round home playoff game.
Despite Canyon (7-3, 5-2), Wagner (7-3, 5-2), and Boerne Champion (8-2, 5-2) all ending with identical district records, the Cougars clinched the No. 2 seed due to a tiebreaker. Wagner, despite tying in district records, settled for the No. 3 seed due to its head-to-head win over Boerne Champion, yet would have secured the No. 2 seed had they triumphed against Canyon.
The game’s momentum shifted notably in Canyon’s favor after a pivotal play in the second quarter. A failed fake punt attempt by Wagner provided Canyon with excellent field position, enabling Jackson Regan to catch a 6-yard touchdown pass from Reece Deitrick, equalizing the score at 7-7 just before halftime.
In a mostly quiet third period, Canyon seized the lead, 14-7, late in the quarter as Regan concluded a 12-play, 47-yard drive with a 9-yard touchdown run. Although Wagner seemingly leveled the score with a 96-yard kickoff return touchdown, a penalty nullified the play, stifling their comeback hopes.
The defensive prowess of Canyon limited Wagner to a mere seven first downs and 159 yards of offense, contrasting with Canyon’s 237 total yards and 15 first downs.
Canyon’s victory marked the end of a remarkable regular season, closing with five consecutive wins after an initial 2-3 start. Conversely, the loss halted Wagner’s five-game winning streak, dating back to their district opener defeat against Smithson Valley.
This win extends Canyon’s track record, boasting seven or more victories in three of the last four seasons, entering the playoffs for the third time in four years. Wagner, on the other hand, maintains a consistent streak, making their fifth consecutive playoff appearance.
Coach Nate Leonard highlighted Canyon’s determination, emphasizing the essence of ‘grit’ and the team’s toughness in clinching the win. The victory also underlined Canyon’s dominance over Wagner, winning their fourth straight meeting since 2015.
Regan stood out, contributing significantly with both Canyon touchdowns and 118 total yards. Reece Deitrick’s versatile performance, completing 10 passes for 83 yards and adding 37 yards rushing, showcased the Cougars’ balanced offense. For Wagner, William Reynolds and Brayden Prasse made notable contributions with 60 and 47 yards rushing, respectively.
Both teams now gear up for the Class 5A-I playoffs, commencing with the bidistrict round. Canyon will host Cedar Park, the No. 3 team from District 11-5A-I, while Wagner will travel to face A&M Consolidated, the No. 2 seed from another district.
