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LEANDER — The Elgin High School varsity football team concluded its 2023 regular season Thursday, Nov. 2 as the Wildcats traveled to A.C. Bible Memorial Stadium to take on Leander Rouse High School. The host Raiders got the best of the Wildcats as Elgin fell 42-21 at the hands of Rouse, eliminating the Wildcats from a playoff spot out of 5A-2 District 11.
The Wildcats simply could not shake off a very rough start to the game as Elgin stared at an early 27-8 deficit in the first quarter. Although Elgin trailed just 27-14 at halftime, Rouse was able to keep the Wildcats at bay in the second half to prevent a comeback.
In the loss, Elgin senior standout quarterback Nathen Lewis played his final game for the Wildcats as he threw for 170 yards on 20-of-34 passing attempts for two touchdowns through the air to go along with 17 carries for 91 yards and one score on the ground. Wildcats junior wide receiver Zaire Nuells hauled in seven receptions for 65 yards and one touchdown, junior wide receiver Jalen Owens had three catches for 30 yards and one score and sophomore Gary Jefferson Jr. had seven receptions for 48 yards.
On the ground, Elgin senior running back Darren Harper had nine carries for 51 yards while fellow senior running back Curtis McFarlin had 18 yards on just three carries.
Elgin’s defense had a lot of trouble stopping the big plays on offense from Rouse, especially in the passing game as Raiders sophomore quarterback London Morgan threw for 397 yards through the air for three touchdowns on 19-of-27 completions.
The Wildcats finished with a 4-6 overall record with all victories this season coming in landslide fashion. Elgin defeated Austin Akins High School 47-0, Cedar Creek High School 6414, Pflugerville Connally High School 50-28 and Pflugerville High School 44-17.
