Bay City Tribune

Palacios' football season ended on a high note Friday night after trouncing Gonzales 49-18 Friday night at Shark Stadium.

The Sharks finished with a 4-6 season record, going 4-1 while wearing their black home uniforms, and 2-3 in District 28-3A play.

It was the first time that Palacios has ever beaten Gonzales in the short history of the series and the first time in eight years that the Sharks have won a season ending home game

"They did a lot of things that they need to be proud of," said Palacios head coach Mike Treybig. "They slowly ended up being a pretty darn good football team. It's the second best since I've been here."

"I can't tell you how proud I am of the kids and the way they've played this year."

"It allows the seniors to go out on top," said Treybig. "They will always remember the last game that they played. It will be a pleasant memory."

"We end on a winning note for the start of the 2010 season so that will hopefully bring something positive into our off season program."

Cuero beat Edna 48-32 to win yet another district title with a 5-0 record and the Cowboys finished second at 4-1. Yoakum bested Goliad 53-13 take the third and final playoff spot.

It was Palacios first time in 11 years to win their season finale at home.

Palacios almost doubled its point total this season, entering the game with 89.

The Sharks totaled up 468 yards in the game and they all came on the ground. The Apaches, who went winless in district, finished with 252 yards.

"I knew that we had a chance of scoring some points," said Treybig. "I would have have chose a low scoring game.

"But it was a surprise to score that many. Our offensive line controlled the line of scrimmage and I was really proud of the job they did."

Palacios senior running back Nathan Loff scored four touchdowns and rushed for 290 yards to give him a nine-game season total of 1,114 yards. He missed one game with an injury.

"A thousand yard rusher is a real big milestone," said Treybig of Loff. "I'm really proud of him and what he was able to do. That's a tremendous accomplishment for him personally as well as the offensive line for blocking for him."

Senior Chris Grice scored three touchdowns and rushed for 156, pushing him over the 500 mark for the season.

Loff put the Sharks up 6-0 with a 1-yard run with 3:39 remaining in the first quarter. Eddie Alanis kick made it 7-0.

Less then two minutes later, Alanis booted a 36-yard field goal for a 10-0 Shark lead.

Loff scored from the 2-yard line with 6:21 left in the second quarter to bring the score to 16-0. The extra point kick failed.

Gonzales answered back with a Kieren Johnson 40-yard touchdown pass to Cory Espinosa with 2:39 remaining in the first half to make it a 16-6 Shark advantage.

The teams combined for six touchdowns in the third quarter.

Loff scored on a 55-yard run with 11:05 remaining and Alanis' kick made it 23-6.

Grice raced 49 yards for his first score with 8:30 showing on the clock. The missed kick left Palacios with a 29-6 lead.

Johnson responded with a 38-yard run for the Apaches with 6:50 remaining and the kick failed. It left the score at 29-12.

Grice scored on a 30-yard run with 3:34 remaining and found the end zone with 1:48 left on a 1-yard plunge. Alanis kicked both extra points and the Sharks led 43-12.

Kendrick Gray scored Gonzales' final touchdown of the game on a 77-yard pass from Cody Burton with 1:27 left. The kick was no good leaving the score at 43-18.

Loff completed the scoring with a 24-yard run with 9:41 left in the game.