Denton Ryan Lights Up The Scoreboard, Advances To Semis

Denton Ryan Lights Up The Scoreboard, Advances To Semis

Denton Ryan defeats Coronado to advance to the UIL state semifinals.

Dec 10, 2017 by Kolby Paxton
Denton Ryan Lights Up The Scoreboard, Advances To Semis

We told you Ryan-Coronado had all the makings of a shootout — and 118 points later, here we are.

Denton Ryan erupted, leading by as many as 41 points en route to a 69-49 victory over Coronado in the UIL Class 5A-1 regional final.

Ryan quarterback Spencer Sanders — and Oklahoma State pledge — piled up 493 yards of total offense and actually gave way to the backup with just under eight minutes to go in the fourth quarter. Sanders threw or ran for seven touchdowns.

Coronado’s Kaleb Manuel rushed for 164 yards on 18 carries, including a 69-yard run on the Mustangs’ first play from scrimmage.

Unfortunately for the team from Lubbock, that early lead lasted 1:08 before the Raiders answered with a Sanders 38-yard touchdown run to tie the score, 7-7.

Two possessions later, Sanders found Texas Tech commit Gabriel Douglas from seven yards out to give Ryan a 14-7 lead — and the Raiders never looked back.

Jamarion Robertson and Jon Hernandez traded scores for Ryan and Coronado, respectively, before Sanders scored on back-to-back touchdown runs to start the second quarter.

The Raiders took a 42-28 lead into the half — but the third quarter would be a disaster for the Mustangs.

Sanders and Robertson hooked up again for a 69-yard touchdown to open the second half scoring. Emani Bailey added a pair of touchdown runs before the end of the third quarter and Ryan led 69-28.

The Raiders will meet defending champion Highland Park in the Class 5A-1 semifinal round on Friday night at AT&T Stadium.