.png)
The Bastrop Bears varsity football team defeated the Elgin Wildcats 47-24 in the Battle of U.S. 290 on Friday, Oct. 25, marking their fifth consecutive win and keeping them undefeated in district play.
The Wildcats struck first with a touchdown in the opening quarter, taking a 7-0 lead. However, the Bears qui c k ly re sponded when sophomore quarterback Weston Neilson connected with senior wide receiver Ramonz Adams for a 74-yard touchdown pass. Neilson finished the game with 352 passing yards and five touchdowns, continuing to showcase his skills, while Adams recorded 89 receiving yards and a score.
Elgin’s defense struggled to contain the Bears, who added two more una n swe r ed touchdowns to extend their lead to 19-7. The Wildcats managed to cut the deficit with a long drive capped by a field goal, but Neilson soon found senior Keyshon Moore for a 44-yard touchdown, pushing the score to 26-10. Moore emerged as Neilson’s top target, finishing the night with 127 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Bastrop continued to dominate, stretching the lead to 33-10 in the third quarter. Facing a three-possession deficit, the Wildcats' comeback hopes dimmed when senior quarterback Dylan Owens fumbled a snap inside the Bears' 10-yard line. Owens concluded the game with 245 passing yards, two touchdowns, an interception and a fumble.
Senior Jalen Owens and senior wide receiver Zaire Nuelles were standouts for Elgin. Owens recorded 111 receiving yards and a touchdown, while Nuelles contributed 74 yards and a score. For the Bears, senior wide receiver Jaylen Gratten and senior athlete Quin Joyner combined for three touchdowns.
The loss dropped Elgin to 3-5 overall and 3-2 in district play, while Bastrop improved to 6-2 overall and 5-0 in district. The Wildcats will host Pflugerville Connally, and the Bears will travel to face Pflugerville. Both games are set for Friday, Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
