Laramie Brawner took a kickoff 69 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.
That proved to be the difference as Saint Jo defeated Denton Calvary 50-44 in a non-district game at Harley Sewell Field.
Brawner was the leading ground-gainer for Saint Jo, picking up 121 yards on 21 carries and he was part of a Panther squad that rolled up more than 170 return yards.
The game was played using a running clock in the second half because of concerns over possible severe weather.
“We used up about eight minutes in the fourth quarter,” Saint Jo head coach Chad Tallon said. “That was the most return yards we’ve had in the last few years. They kicked it deep to us, and we have been working on blocking schemes for kickoffs. We were able to spring open a couple of times.”
Denton Calvary had the ball the final two minutes of the game, but the Panther defense held.
Garrett Parker also had a kickoff return for a touchdown, covering 65 yards.
On defense, Tallon’s plan was to force Keishun Cuchens into becoming a throwing quarterback – instead of a runner. Read more on how Nocona did in the mid-week Bowie News.

Saint Jo’s new helmet. (News photo by Eric Viccaro)