CANUTILLO SURVIVES HANKS IN LIGHTNING-DELAYED THRILLER, 38-35

By PREP1 Sports | September 25, 2026 It took a lightning delay, 73 points and a late-night finish, but the Canutillo Eagles walked out of Hanks with one of their biggest wins of the young season. Canutillo edged the Hanks Knights 38-35 Friday night in a wild, lightning-delayed shootout, extending its winning streak to three games and improving to 4-1 on the season. Hanks dropped to 3-2 after suffering its first home loss of the year. For Canutillo, it was another example of a team finding a way to finish. HUERTA DOES IT ALL At the center of the Eagles' offensive attack was quarterback Cesar Huerta. The senior was outstanding both through the air and on the ground, rushing for 101 yards and three touchdowns while completing 5 of 7 passes for 89 yards and another touchdown. Huerta's 101 rushing yards marked a season high, and his four total touchdowns gave Canutillo the production it needed to survive a furious Hanks offense. Running back Sylas Reyes provided another major contribution, carrying the ball 24 times for 114 yards and a touchdown. Together, Huerta and Reyes helped Canutillo rack up 252 rushing yards, with the Eagles finishing with 341 total yards. HANKS FIRES BACK The Knights refused to let the game slip away. Quarterback Jordan Morales kept Hanks within striking distance throughout the night, completing 22 of 33 passes for 302 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Austin Deucher was equally impressive on the ground. The Hanks running back exploded for 202 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries, including a 71-yard run. A. Robles added 10 receptions for 106 yards and two touchdowns, giving the Knights another major weapon in the passing game. But every Hanks push was answered by Canutillo. And when the Eagles needed one more stop, they found it. THREE STRAIGHT FOR CANUTILLO The victory marks Canutillo's third consecutive win, following victories over Parkland and Hanks' district rival opponents in recent weeks. The Eagles have now scored 49, 63 and 38 points during their three-game winning streak. It also gives Canutillo a 4-1 record heading into the final stretch before district play. Hanks, meanwhile, falls to 3-2 but showed once again that its offense can put pressure on any opponent. WHAT'S NEXT Both teams will have extra time to prepare before beginning district play. Canutillo opens District 1-5A Division II action against Del Valle on October 9 at 7 p.m. Hanks opens its district schedule against Americas on October 8 at 7:30 p.m. For one night, though, it was all about surviving the storm. The lightning delayed the game. Canutillo didn't let it derail them. FINAL CANUTILLO 38, HANKS 35 PHOTO: DLCSnaps | PREP1 Network