By Michael Adams
madams@austinsportsjournal.com
Max Gerlich waited for this moment all summer.
And he took full advantage of it.
Anderson’s senior quarterback produced 446 total yards of offense Thursday night in front of a packed house at House Park Stadium to push the Trojans to a 57-40 win over rival McCallum in the annual Taco Shack Bowl.
Gerlich, a UTSA pledge, threw for seven touchdown passes – three to TCU commit Ed Small – and ran for another in his first game since suffering a serious knee injury.
Of his 446 yards, 308 were through the air to his favorite targets Small and Zayden Sharp.
Not to be outdone, McCallum’s Luke Dunham got into a duel with his Anderson counterpart. The senior quarterback scored four touchdowns while throwing for 326 yards and rushing for another 150. Running back Mark Sanchez Jr. had a spectacular night as well, rushing for 104 yards and scoring two touchdowns.
Anderson (1-0) has won four of the last five Taco Shack Bowls, with McCallum (0-1) last getting the win in 2021. The Trojans travel to Elgin next Friday, while the Knights will take on Travis at Burger Stadium.
Photo gallery
Anderson quarterback Max Gerlich (3) steps back to pass during the annual Taco Shack Bowl at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal) 
McCallum’s Devon Robinson (10) runs through a couple of Trojan defneders during the annual Taco Shack Bowl at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal) 
McCallum’s Mark Sanchez Jr. (2) stiff arms Grayson Lake (2) of Anderson on his way into the enzone for a touchdown during the annual Taco Shack Bowl at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal) 
McCallum’s Mark Sanchez Jr. (2) stiff arms Jake Laibo (16) of Anderson on his way into the enzone for a touchdown during the annual Taco Shack Bowl at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal) 
Anderson quarterback Max Gerlich (3) scores a touchdown in the annual Taco Shack Bowl at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal) 
Anderson’s Ed Small (18) scores a touchdown during the annual Taco Shack Bowl at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal) 
Anderson’s Tristan Waidelich (1) hauls in a pass during in annual Taco Shack Bowl at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal) 
McCallum’s Braxton Bishop (55) blocks Alan Su (27) of Anderson during the annual Taco Shack Bowl at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal) 
McCallum’s Luke Dunham (7) avoids the tackle from Alan Su (27) of Anderson during the annual Taco Shack Bowl at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal) 
McCallum captain Luke Dunham (7) leads the Kights onto the field before the annual Taco Shack Bowl at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal) 
Anderson’s Dominic Mays (23) runs witrh the ball during the annual Taco Shack Bowl at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal) 
McCallum quarterback Luke Dunham (7) stretches before the annual Taco Shack Bowl at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal) 
The Anderson Trojans huddle during pregame before the annual Taco Shack Bowl at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal) 
The McCallum Knights huddle during pregame before the annual Taco Shack Bowl at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal) 
The McCallum Knights run onto the field before the annual Taco Shack Bowl at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal) 
McCallum’s Luke Dunham (7) hands the ball to Devon Robinson (10) during the annual Taco Shack Bowl at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal) 
McCallum coach Tom Gammerdinger watches his players warm up before the annual Taco Shack Bowl at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal) 
Anderson head coach Donald Hatcher watches his players warm up before the annual Taco Shack Bowl at House Park Stadium in Austin, Texas on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. (Michael Adams/Austin Sports Journal)
