Sanger has been in a rebuild for the past few years. The 4A D2 program has gone a disappointing 1-19 the past two seasons.
That rebuild may have finally come to an end as with a win last night, they now move to 2-0 on the 2020 season.
“Man it’s a great feeling coming into the season everyone doubted us but this team is so close and we push each other to be the best players we can be, great to go out and prove everyone wrong!” running back Tallyn Welborn emphatically said.
“To be able to play with these guys around me in a time like this is a blessing. I think knowing that any practice or game could be our last really helps us leave it all on the field,” quarterback Rylan Smart added.
Their latest win was a 49-35 demolishing of Lake Worth. Sanger combined for 524 total yards including over 300 on the ground. The controlled the time of possession for 60% of the game en route to 29 first downs in the impressive win.
Running back Tallyn Welborn, who last year ran for 867 yards and 10 touchdowns, had a monster showing as he not only hit the endzone three times but also racked up 259 yards on the ground.
“The O-line had an amazing game, so proud of those guys, they have no quit!” Welburn said.
If it wasn’t Welborn scoring it was his partner in crime, signal-caller Rylan Smart. Smart accounted for the other four touchdowns in the Sanger win including two on the ground, two in the air, and 235 passing yards.
“I think the O-line upfront played a huge role in our success tonight. I was also very proud of Tallyn and our receivers for giving relentless effort the entire game,” Smart said.
Sanger in a five-team district is now just one of two teams who have started 2-0 in 2020. After a disappointing last few years, this may be the year that Sanger is put on the map. With Smartt and Welborn in the backfield, anything is possible for the 2020 Sanger football team.
“We are going to keep showing up and being resilient. Giving it our all and playing for the guy next to you!” Welborn said.
“People can expect a lot more hard nose football and good football to watch,” Smart added.
While the win didn’t come easy, it’s going to be difficult for any defense to stop the two-headed monster that is Smart and Welborn.
Expect Sanger to appear in the playoffs this year at the very least. Don’t be shocked if they keep the momentum rolling all the way into December.
“It’s not so much about me but this group as a whole. This is a special group of guys and we play for each other. Everything we do is viewed as a unit and everything I accomplish is because of the grit and heart of this team,” Welborn said.
“I’m a hardworking kid who loves to play the game with my teammates,” Smart added.
