Week 1 Rewind
It sure was great to have high school football back, especially in the Big Country. Many road trips were made, rivalries renewed and big wins notched in week one. District play is still a few weeks away, giving teams that came up short this weekend plenty of time to get things right before the games that really count begin.
ROUGH START FOR THE KEY CITY
Abilene teams know they are some of the many that have things to work on after a pretty rough start to the 2021 season. Abilene High, Cooper and Wylie all lost by a combined 121-24, while Abilene Christian School and TLCA Abilene suffered defeat as well. It is the first time the “Big 3” from Abilene have all lost their season opener since 2018, when the Eagles lost at Tascosa 13-7, the Cougars fell to Keller 41-15, and the Bulldogs lost at home to Georgetown 31-7.
BIG COUNTRY A TO Z
Abilene High turned the ball over four times, including a fumble on their first play from scrimmage, one that was returned for a touchdown and an interception in the end zone, in their 41-20 season opening loss at Tascosa. The Eagles had lost close games to Tascosa over the past few years, but the Rebels took a big lead early and never looked back in this one. Abilene High has now lost six straight season openers.
Abilene Christian put a lot of points on the board in Daren Miller’s head coaching debut, but came up short on the road in a 92-48 loss to Loraine. The Bulldogs are excited about what could be a very good season, and scoring more points in week one than any other team in the state will do nothing to temper those expectations.
Albany and Colorado City had their season opener cancelled due to a COVID spike in Colorado City. The Lions visit Dublin next week while the Wolves will play at Crane.
Anson started the year with a 24-6 home win over Winters. The Tigers have now beaten the Blizzards three times in the past 365 days.
Aspermont had a rough opener against state-ranked Follett, falling 46-0 at the Jayton Gridiron Classic. The Hornets will return to Jayton to battle the Jaybirds on Friday night.
Baird avenged a 2020 loss to Crowell and proved they may be a force to be reckoned with this year. The Bears topped Crowell 34-7 and will have an interesting matchup at Hermleigh in week two.
Ballinger knew they’d have their hands full against defending state champ Jim Ned, and the Indians earned a little bit of revenge against the Bearcats, the only team to beat them in 2020. Jim Ned led 28-0 by halftime and were a fourth quarter Bearcat touchdown away from a shut out in a 42-7 win. Xavier Wishert ran for 221 yards in his 2021 debut.
Bangs saw rival Early score early and often in a 48-12 decision Friday night. Jaxyn Price, son of Longhorn head man Daniel Price, was very good, completing 16 of 19 passes for 220 yards and five touchdowns. Early outgained the Dragons 479-261.
Blackwell dropped a close decision to Eden for a second straight season to kick off 2021. The Hornets fell 62-60 a year ago and 40-34 on Friday night. Despite losing a ton of talent to graduation, Blackwell looks to be in good shape going forward in 1A-Division II after battling potential 1A-Division I playoff squad Eden so well in week one.
Blanket cruised to a 51-6 victory over Bryson in their first game under head coach Casey Mund. Brayden Day scored four touchdowns to lead the Tiger attack.
Breckenridge picked up what could be considered the best win of the week as they upset Jacksboro 49-28. The Buckaroos only scored 75 points all season in 2020 and look to be well on their way to teaming a good offense with what was a stout defense a year ago.
Brookesmith dropped their first game of the Todd Lawdermilk era, falling to Veribest 41-12.
Brownwood battled Lampasas down to the wire and earned a thrilling 58-55 win on a 21-yard Junior Martinez field goal as time expired. The Lions gained 579 yards, but gave up 613 to the Badgers. Konlyn Anderson racked up 286 yards and three touchdowns rushing to lead the Brownwood offensive attack.
Cisco ruined Danny Dudgeon’s head coaching debut in a 49-7 victory at Clyde. The Loboes ran for over 450 yards, 251 of those from quarterback Hunter Long.
Coleman earned a second straight season opening shut out win over Miles, taking down the Bulldogs 24-0. More impressively, the Bluecats put their 24 points on the board in just over 13 minutes of action, as the game was delayed and then eventually called at the 10:54 mark of the second quarter due to lightning.
Cooper suffered a 39-0 loss to Keller to kick off 2021. The Cougars hope to turn things around as they get set to battle crosstown rival Abilene High on Friday night.
Cross Plains rode out a lightning delay and cruised to a 33-14 win at Menard. The Buffaloes jumped out to a 25-0 lead by halftime and the result was never in doubt. Cason Allen threw for 166 yards and two touchdowns in his Cross Plains quarterbacking debut.
Eastland battled hard in a 28-21 loss to Wall. The Hawks snapped a 21-all tie with a fourth quarter touchdown that proved to be the game winner.
Hamlin ushered in the Chris Evans era with a 38-6 road loss at Jones County rival Stamford. The Bulldogs scored 38 unanswered points after falling behind in the first half to give Britt Hart his first head coaching win at Stamford.
Haskell earned a 22-6 victory over Quanah in Mitch McLemore’s Indian head coaching debut. Haskell avenged a season opening loss to Quanah in 2020.
Hawley knocked off Roscoe 34-14 in a coaching battle between former Hardin-Simmons football stars. Mitch Ables’ Bearcats forced five turnovers against Jake Freeman’s Plowboys to get the win.
Hermleigh cruised past Lubbock All Saints 51-6 to win their 2021 opener. Sam Winters started his second stint as the Cardinals head coach in the win column.
Highland hopes to get past Sterling City and Westbrook and get back in the playoffs this season, and the Hornets started on the right foot with a 34-25 win over Grady.
Ira is never afraid to face tough competition, and the tough competition got the best of them in week one. The Bulldogs dropped a 33-32 decision to Valley in a battle of teams that will likely end up in the playoffs.
May earned maybe the most impressive six-man victory in the state when the Tigers took down #3 Borden County 51-6 at the Jayton Gridiron Classic. The Tigers tough non-district schedule continues next week as they head to top ranked and defending state champ Sterling City, the team that beat them twice (once in the state championship game) in 2020.
Merkel got a win for new head coach Will Kates as the Badgers took down Reagan County 24-15. Merkel has opened the season with wins over the Owls now two for two straight seasons.
Moran saw its losing streak hit 11 games with a 58-6 season opening loss to 2020 playoff team Benjamin.
Paint Creek returned to football and returned to the win column with a 52-0 shut out of Harrold. It appears to be their first victory since a 55-6 win at Chillicothe on October 6, 2017.
Ranger came up shy in their first six-man football game, but battled well in a 52-32 loss at Oglesby.
Rising Star earned a victory in Derek Stevens’ first game as a Wildcat, slipping past Gustine 57-50.
Roby also was a winner in a head coaching debut, as Matt Tarbutton’s Lions won at Sands 70-21.
Rotan kept pace with their Fisher County rivals and also started 1-0. The Yellowhammers rolled past Bronte 40-6.
Rule had little trouble with Wilson in a 53-8 season opening decision. The Bobcats only beat Wilson by a point in the 2020 season opener.
Santa Anna made it two straight season opening wins over Trent, 56-0 this year. The Mountaineers topped the Gorillas 46-0 a year ago on the road.
Snyder won at Slaton 29-8 in a game that wasn’t as close the score indicates. The Tigers turned it over six times, but still cruised to their first season opening victory under head coach Wes Wood.
Sweetwater drew a tough task and came up short in their first game under head coach Russell Lucas. The Mustangs fell 51-13 as the Yellowjackets scored the final 37 points of the game. Leo Holsey threw for 205 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the loss.
TLCA Abilene fell 56-6 at Woodson in their first game led by head coach Jeremy Kirk. The Eagles only scored six points all season in their varsity football debut year of 2020, so getting on the board in game one shows signs of improvement in year two.
Westbrook lost 46-30 at Motley County in a battle of state ranked squads. The Matadors, number one in Division II, defended their home field to knock off the fourth ranked Wildcats from Division I.
Wylie ran into a buzz saw at Burleson in week one, falling to the Elks 42-3. Burleson QB Dylan Raiola threw for 283 yards and a touchdown to pace the potent Elk offense.
Zephyr showed a ton of fight in a 21-18 loss to Sidney. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 12-0 lead but could not hold on in the season opener.
BIGGEST WINS
1. Breckenridge 49, Jacksboro 28 — The Buckaroos make a statement and may be a force to be reckoned with.
2. May 51, Borden County 6 — The Tigers prove they may have what it takes to return to Jerry World - and win this time.
3. Paint Creek 52, Harrold 0 — A dominating win for a program returning from a three-year hiatus.
4. Brownwood 58, Lampasas 55 — The Lions win a thriller to start 2021 on the right foot.
5. Merkel 24, Reagan County 15 — The Badgers hope this is win one of many for their new head coach
UP NEXT
Cooper at Abilene High
Albany at Dublin
Coleman at Anson
Aspermont at Jayton
Baird at Hermleigh - CANCELED
Ballinger at Breckenridge
Florence at Bangs
Blackwell at Water Valley
Blanket at Gustine
Brownwood at Midland Greenwood
Wall at Cisco
Clyde at Idalou
Colorado City at Crane
Cross Plains at Goldthwaite
Early at Tolar
Eastland at Holliday
Hawley at Hamlin
Archer City at Haskell
Highland at Roby
Lueders-Avoca at Ira
Sweetwater at Jim Ned
Loraine at Grady
May at Sterling City
Merkel at Stanton
Evant at Moran
Paint Creek at Rochelle JV
Ranger at Waco Eagle Christian
Rising Star at Paint Rock
Woodson at Rotan
Roscoe at Stamford
Vernon Northside at Rule
Rising Star at Santa Anna
Levelland at Snyder
Brookesmith at TLCA Abilene
Lohn at Trent
Borden County at Westbrook
Eldorado at Winters - CANCELED
Lubbock Monterey at Wylie
Veribest at Zephyr
DISTRICT STANDINGS
|
DISTRICT 2-6A |
Overall |
District |
|
Midland |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Midland Legacy |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Odessa Permian |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
San Angelo Central |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Wolfforth Frenship |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Abilene |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Odessa |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 3-5A DIVISION I |
||
|
Arlington Heights |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Brewer |
1-0 |
0-1 |
|
Saginaw |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Azle |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Cooper |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Crowley |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Granbury |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Northwest |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 3-5A DIVISION II |
||
|
Canyon Randall |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lubbock Cooper |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Wichita Falls Rider |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Plainview |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Wichita Falls |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Wylie |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 5-4A DIVISION I |
||
|
Brownwood |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Midlothian Heritage |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Stephenville |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Waco La Vega |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Alvarado |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Waxahachie Life |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 1-4A DIVISION II |
||
|
Monahans |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Snyder |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Midland Greenwood |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Pecos |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Sweetwater |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 3-3A DIVISION I |
||
|
Breckenridge |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Early |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Jim Ned |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Wall |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Clyde |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
TLCA San Angelo |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 2-3A DIVISION II |
||
|
Brady |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Sonora |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Ballinger |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Bangs |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Grape Creek |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Ingram Moore |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 5-3A DIVISION II |
||
|
Dublin |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Merkel |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Millsap |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Comanche |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Eastland |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Jacksboro |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 3-2A DIVISION I |
||
|
Anson |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Forsan |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Haskell |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Hawley |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Stamford |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Colorado City |
0-0 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 4A-2A DIVISION I |
||
|
Cisco |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Coleman |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
De Leon |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Goldthwaite |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
San Saba |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Winters |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 5-2A DIVISION II |
||
|
Crosbyton |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Hamlin |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Lockney |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Ralls |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Roscoe |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 8-2A DIVISION II |
||
|
Cross Plains |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Santo |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Albany |
0-0 |
0-0 |
|
Hico |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Meridian |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 7-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Hermleigh |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Roby |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Rotan |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Aspermont |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Ira |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 8-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Highland |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Sterling City |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Bronte |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Robert Lee |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Westbrook |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 13-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Baird |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
May |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Santa Anna |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Gorman |
0-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lingleville |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 15-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Evant |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Jonesboro |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lometa |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Zephyr |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 6-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Loraine |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Blackwell |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Olfen |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
TLCA Abilene |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Trent |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 8-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Benjamin |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Rule |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Chillicothe |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Harrold |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 9-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Paint Creek |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Throckmorton |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Woodson |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lueders-Avoca |
0-0 |
0-0 |
|
Moran |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 15-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Blanket |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Rising Star |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Sidney |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Panther Creek |
0-0 |
0-0 |
|
Brookesmith |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 1-TAPPS 6M DIV. III |
||
|
Wichita Falls Christian |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lubbock Kingdom Prep |
0-0 |
0-0 |
|
Abilene Christian |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Lubbock All Saints |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Lubbock Christ the King |
0-1 |
0-0 |
