Week 1 Rewind
One week is in the books, and man, wasn’t it fun to have football back across the Big Country and the Lone Star State?
I’ve revamped the Weekly Rewind a little bit this year; let me know what you think.
The Best Wins, Toughest Losses and District Power Polls are all my own opinions.
Don’t see stats from a great performance? Make sure to email them to cody@bigcountryblitz.com!
DISTRICT 2-5A DIVISION I
Abilene High 49, Permian 14
Tascosa 28, Palo Duro 7
Lubbock Cooper 42, Dumas 0
Monterey 44, Odessa 42
Midland Legacy 35, Amarillo 7
Hereford 34, Caprock 20
Frenship 45, Coronado 26
BEST WIN
Abilene High dominated Odessa Permian 49-14, outgaining the Panthers 444-152 in an all-around effort to get to 1-0 on the season.
The Eagles used two quarterbacks, and both Brayden Henry and Dylan Slack played very well to lead the offense. Ryland Bradford made what could be the catch of the season for the Big Country on the first drive of the game.
The Warbird defense stopped Permian cold all night, only allowing a pair of second-half touchdowns when the game was out of reach.
HONORABLE MENTION
Congratulations to Lubbock Monterey for beating Odessa for its first victory since November 2021. The Plainsmen snapped a 10-game losing streak.
TOUGHEST LOSS
Amarillo wasn’t expected to beat Midland Legacy, but they struggled on offense, being held to just 190 yards and one touchdown.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
Abilene QB Dylan Slack: 14-18, 215 yds, 4 TD passes, 1 TD run
Abilene QB Brayden Henry: 6-9, 39 yds passing; 118 yds, 1 TD rushing (including a 70 yard TD run)
Abilene WR Ryland Bradford: 4 rec, 89 yds, 1 TD
Frenship QB Hudson Hutcheson: 19-27, 313 yds, 4 TD passing; 53 yds, 1 TD rushing
Frenship WR Leyton Stone: 9 rec, 153 yds, 3 TD
Monterey RB Ja’Marcus Smith: 168 yds, 1 TD rushing
Tascosa QB Coltyn Fulton: 119 yds rushing, 6-11, 120 yds passing
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Abilene High
2. Tascosa
3. Lubbock Cooper
4. Monterey
5. Coronado
6. Caprock
7. Amarillo
DISTRICT 2-5A DIVISION II
Brownwood 35, Wylie 21
Keller 37, Cooper 14
Wichita Falls Rider 41, Wichita Falls 13
Plainview 45, Levelland 18
Lubbock High 37, El Paso Socorro 27
Tascosa 28, Palo Duro 7
BEST WIN
You have to give the nod to Wichita Falls Rider in this one, as they knocked off Wichita Falls in the final meeting of the two programs before Wichita Falls ISD combines the two and Hirschi into two schools next year. An estimated 15,000 fans saw the final showdown in this rivalry.
TOUGHEST LOSS
Wylie entered the year with high expectations but also plenty of question marks.
The Bulldogs allowed 332 yards, 247 rushing, and turned it over twice in a two-touchdown loss to the 4A Division I Lions.
Wylie ran for just 78 yards on 32 carries but closed a 28-7 gap to 28-21 in the fourth quarter before allowing another touchdown.
Photo: Derrick Stuckly/Brownwoodnews.com
Cooper lost on the road, but to a 6A team, and showed some fight in the process. The Cougars evened the game at 7-7 on a Daniel Bray touchdown in the first quarter, but the Indians led it 24-7 by the half. Keller extended the advantage to 38-7 in the fourth before Cooper scored again on a six-yard Troneal Robinson run. Keller outgained Cooper 312-248 and won the turnover battle 3-1. Bray led the Coogs with 58 yards and a touchdown rushing. Austin Cummins went 6-14 for 78 yards with two interceptions in his quarterbacking debut. Cooper hopes to get things settled before the home opener against Abilene High at Shotwell Stadium on Friday.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
Wylie WR Braden Regala: 11 rec, 111 yds, 1 td; 1 rush, 15 yds
Rider RB Kenji Johnson: 97 yds, 2 TD rushing
Palo Duro Darrien Lewis: 141 yds, 1 TD rushing; 2-6, 4 yds, 2 TD, 4 INT passing
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Wichita Falls Rider
2. Wylie
3. Cooper
4. Plainview
5. Palo Duro
6. Lubbock High
DISTRICT 2-4A DIVISION I
Brownwood 35, Wylie 21
Andrews 32, Canyon Randall 21
Estacado 65, Greenwood 51
Lake View 49, Lamesa 8
Pampa 35, Big Spring 25
BEST WIN
Brownwood snapped a three-game losing streak against Wylie, taking down the bigger Bulldogs on the road Friday night.
Ike Hall turned in a great performance as the lone returning starter on the Lion offense, and the Brownwood defense seems to be even stronger than last season.
Photo: Derrick Stuckly/Brownwoodnews.com
TOUGHEST LOSS
Big Spring was the only team in the district to lose, but they don’t have a lot to hang their heads about in a ten-point loss at 4A Division I Pampa.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
Brownwood QB Ike Hall: 168 yds, 2 TD rushing; 8-15, 85 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT passing
Estacado RB Bobby Ross: 262 yds, 5 TD rushing
Big Spring WR Zeyire Franklin: 7 rec, 109 yds
Andrews RB JaeSean DeBouse: 236 yds, 2 TD rushing
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Brownwood
2. Estacado
3. Andrews
4. Big Spring
5. Lake View
DISTRICT 3-4A DIVISION II
Snyder 42, Slaton 0
Sweetwater 42, Idalou 20
Hirschi 34, Clint 0
Graham 56, Bowie 14
Estacado 65, Greenwood 51
BEST WIN
Snyder dominated Slaton to kickoff the season, but the Sweetwater Mustangs victory over Idalou was probably one of the more surprising wins for a Big Country team in Week 1.
The Mustangs jumped out to a big lead on the Wildcats and cruised to a 22-point win, already matching their win total from a tough 2022 season.
Freshman quarterback Caiden Ortiz shined in his debut, throwing four touchdown passes in the win.
HONORABLE MENTION: SNYDER
The Tigers gained nearly 400 yards of total offense and cruised past Slaton to get 2023 off to a good start.
Photo: Michal Harbour
Also, congrats to Mustang kicker CJ Cox for becoming the first girl to score in a football game for Sweetwater.
Photo: Michal Harbour
TOUGHEST LOSS
Greenwood was the only district team to lose, dropping a season-opening decision to 4A Division I Estacado.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
Snyder QB Easton Stewart: 17-20, 238 yds, 5 TD passing
Sweetwater QB Caiden Ortiz: 11-16, 249 yds, 4 TD passing
Sweetwater WR Jadyn Forbes: 3 rec, 80 yds, 2 td; Kickoff return for TD
Greenwood QB Lincoln Madrid: 268 yds, 4 TD passing
Greenwood RB Dylan Dominguez: 113 yds, 2 TD rushing, 2 rec, 64 yds, 2 TD
Graham QB Ty Thompson: 402 yds, 5 TD passing; 109 yds, 1 TD rushing
Graham WR Peyton Kinman: 5 rec, 165 yds, 3 TD
Hirschi QB Jimmie McFalls: 148 yds, 3 TD passes
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Hirschi
2. Graham
3. Snyder
4. Sweetwater
5. Greenwood
DISTRICT 3-3A DIVISION I
Jim Ned 34, Hawley 12
Clyde 40, Cisco 28
Vernon 40, City View 20
Jacksboro 57, Breckenridge 35
Graham 56, Bowie 14
Holliday 18, Iowa Park 7
BEST WIN
Jim Ned took down defending 2A Division I state champion Hawley and snapped the Bearcats 16-game winning streak. The Indians also got a little bit of revenge from a season-opening loss at Hawley in 2022.
Jim Ned racked up 300 yards rushing, picking up where they left off after running the ball so well a year ago.
Photo: Scott Burkhalter Photography
HONORABLE MENTION: Clyde
The Bulldogs would have taken the top spot if Jim Ned hadn’t had such an impressive win. Blake Carr and Clyde beat the Loboes for the first time since 2010.
Photo: Gary Stennett
TOUGHEST LOSS
Breckenridge gave up 57 points against 3A Division II Jacksboro, but the Tiger offense is loaded this season.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
Breckenridge QB Cam Escalon: 21-34, 279 yds, 4 TD passing
Breckenridge RB Sawyer Wimberley: 235 yds, 1 TD rushing
Clyde QB Blake Carr: 319 yds, 3 TD passing; 97 yds, 1 TD rushing
Clyde WR Dai’jon Booker: 7 rec, 218 yds, 3 TD
Jim Ned RB Brayden Shipman: 169 yds, 2 TD rushing
Jim Ned DL Xaden Wishert: 4 tkl, 3 sacks
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Jim Ned
2. Clyde
3. Vernon
4. Iowa Park
5. Breckenridge
6. Bowie
DISTRICT 2-3A DIVISION II
Early 52, Bangs 10
Wall 35, Eastland 10
Sonora 46, Ballinger 12
Comanche 37, Brady 8
Stanton 42, Grape Creek 6
Ozona 65, TLCA San Angelo 14
BEST WIN
Early trailed rival Bangs early but woke up in a big way, outscoring the Dragons 24-0 in the second quarter on their way to a 42-point win. Bangs drops the opener of the Jason Cole era.
Photo: Mike Jones/Brownwoodnews.com
TOUGHEST LOSS
TLCA San Angelo, a playoff team last season, fell by 51 to Class 2A Ozona who is coming off a 3-7 season.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
Early QB Rohyn Price: 9-19, 175 yds, 4 TD passing; 2 TD rushing
Early RB Griffin Cheslock: 132 yds, 1 TD rushing
Wall QB Gunner Dillard: 119 yds, 2 TD passing; 95 yds, 2 TD rushing
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Wall
2. Early
3. Brady
4. Ballinger
5. TLCA San Angelo
6. Grape Creek
DISTRICT 5-3A DIVISION II
Merkel 26, Clifton 14
Comanche 37, Brady 8
Jacksboro 57, Breckenridge 35
Millsap 20, Hamilton 7
Wall 35, Eastland 10
Fort Worth Christian 36, Dublin 13
BEST WIN
Jacksboro put a ton of points on the board against Breckenridge, but I’ll give Merkel the edge as the Badgers got off to a 1-0 start with their neutral site win over Clifton.
Merkel led 13-0 by the break and did just enough to get past the Cubs and avenge the season-opening loss in Cisco in 2022.
Photo: Badger Sports Booster Facebook
TOUGHEST LOSS
None of the losses in the district were really that bad or a big surprise. Eastland kept it relatively close at state-ranked Wall, and Dublin dropped a decision to Fort Worth Christian, a good private school program that went 8-4 and three rounds deep in the playoffs a year ago.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
Comanche RB Sawyer Wilkerson: 189 yds, 2 TD rushing
Merkel QB Maddox O’Malley: 209 yds, 1 TD passing; 88 yds, 2 TD rushing
Eastland WR Jay Oznick: 4 rec, 48 yds, 1 TD
Eastland LB Eddie Medina: 14 tkl
Jacksboro QB Lando Belcher: 15-26, 326 yds, 5 TD, 1 INT
Jacksboro RB Luke Sams: 140 yds, 1 TD rushing; 1 rec, 71 yds, 1 TD
Jacksboro WR Kaleem Howard: 6 rec, 154 yds, 3 TD
Millsap RB Reid Green: 146 yds, 1 TD rushing
Millsap WR Guerin Morgan: 4 rec, 115 yds
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Comanche
2. Jacksboro
3. Merkel
4. Millsap
5. Eastland
6. Dublin
DISTRICT 4-2A DIVISION I
Stamford 48, Hamlin 6
Seymour 40, Anson 14
Clyde 40, Cisco 28
Alvord 13, Olney 12
Jim Ned 34, Hawley 12
Roscoe 42, Colorado City 0
Cross Plains 51, Winters 28
BEST WIN
Surprisingly, Stamford was the only team to win in the district this week and takes this honor by default.
The Bulldogs scored early and often to take care of Jones County rival Hamlin 48-6 in the return of Wayne Hutchinson to the sidelines in Stamford.
Stamford limited Hamlin to just 106 yards of total offense.
Photo: Gary Ford
TOUGHEST LOSS
Colorado City had, and still has, high hopes for 2023, but they got off to a rough start with a 42-0 home loss to Roscoe.
Granted, the Plowboys are a very good team, but the Wolves hoped to get off to a much better start after going 1-9 last season.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
Hawley WR Chandlin Myers: 8 rec, 103 yds, 1 TD
Hawley WR/DE Diontay Ramon: 9 tkl, 1 int; 4 rec, 37 yds, 1 TD
Anson QB Tyler Wilburn: 96 yds rushing; 33 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT passing
Cisco QB Kannon Orsagh: 9-16, 98 yds, 1 TD passing; 122 yds, 1 TD rushing
Stamford RB Kason Vega: 120 yds, 3 TD rushing
Photo: Scott Burkhalter Photography
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Hawley
2. Stamford
3. Cisco
4. Olney
5. Winters
6. Anson
7. Colorado City
DISTRICT 5-2A DIVISION I
De Leon 40, Junction 19
San Saba 40, Florence 3
Tolar 49, Peaster 9
Mason 29, Coleman 20
Early 52, Bangs 10
Crawford 28, Goldthwaite 14
Millsap 20, Hamilton 7
BEST WIN
De Leon went on the road against a Junction team with nine starters returning on both sides of the ball and earned a win by three touchdowns. Keep an eye on the Bearcats in the playoff chase this season.
TOUGHEST LOSS
Coleman just did get past Mason on the road to open 2022, but the Punchers returned the favor and picked up a 29-20 win at Hufford Field Friday night.
The Bluecats and Punchers were tied 8-8 at the half, but Mason took the lead in the third quarter and held on for a big road win.
If there was a best loss category, how about Goldthwaite? The Eagles lost, but only falling to 8th-ranked Crawford, a state semifinalist a year ago, 28-14, has to be encouraging.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
Tolar RB Peyton Brown: 111 yds, 1 TD
Tolar QB Isaac Blessing: 8-15, 70 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT; 111 yds, 1 TD rushing
San Saba RB Ethan Gonzales: 133 yds, 2 TD rushing; 3 rec, 80 yds, 1 TD
De Leon QB Heston Jobe: 146 yds, 2 TD passing; 83 yds, 2 TD rushing
De Leon RB Jake Cooper: 190 yds, 2 TD rushing
Coleman QB Jadin Jackson: 88 yds, 3 TD rushing; 83 yds passing
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Tolar
2. Coleman
3. San Saba
4. De Leon
5. Goldthwaite
6. Hamilton
7. Bangs
DISTRICT 6-2A DIVISION II
Albany 22, Lubbock Trinity Christian 21
Miles 72, Kermit 12
Roscoe 42, Colorado City 0
Cross Plains 51, Winters 28
Stamford 48, Hamlin 6
Water Valley 60, TLCA Abilene 9
BEST WIN
Albany’s victory at Trinity Christian was impressive, but Roscoe put it all together to top Colorado City on the road 42-0.
The Plowboys limited the Wolves to just 107 yards and got an impressive effort from backup QB Jace Arnwine in the victory.
Photo: Julia Vega
HONORABLE MENTION: Miles
The Bulldogs took care of 2022 3A Division I playoff team Kermit in a big way to open the season.
TOUGHEST LOSS
Hamlin and TLCA Abilene were the only two teams from the district to lose. The Pipers got the Jason Botos era off to a disappointing start against a very tough Stamford team, while the Eagles dropped the season opener to Water Valley by 51 for the second year in a row.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
Albany RB Adam Hill: 135 yds, 2 TD rushing; 6 tkl, 1 tfl
Albany WR Cason Fairchild: 6 rec, 153 yds
Miles QB Hayven Book: 19-27, 254 yds, 5 TD, 1 INT; 39 yds, 1 TD rushing
Miles RB Tevin Meade: 122 yds, 3 TD rushing; 2 rec, 55 yds, 1 TD; 15 tkl
Miles WR Dillon Medina: 9 rec, 112 yds, 1 TD
Miles WR Cooper Ellison: 7 rec, 85 yds, 3 TD
Cross Plains RB Dusty Wyatt: 182 yds, 2 TD rushing
Roscoe RB Ivan McCann: 139 yds, 2 TD rushing
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Albany
2. Miles
3. Roscoe
4. Cross Plains
5. Hamlin
6. TLCA Abilene
DISTRICT 7-2A DIVISION II
Seymour 40, Anson 14
Windthorst 37, Henrietta 34
Archer City 44, Quanah 8
New Home 27, Haskell 6
Mercy Culture Prep 74, Munday 0
Santo 27, Electra 14
Muenster Sacred Heart 15, Petrolia 13
BEST WIN
Call it a draw for Seymour and Windthorst.
The Trojans played up and topped 3A Division II Henrietta, a playoff team in 2022, by three, and the Panthers won on the road at 2A Division I Anson.
TOUGHEST LOSS
Munday’s first game under head coach Brandon Langston was one to forget as the Moguls dropped the season opener to Mercy Culture Prep in Graham by a big margin. It was a game Munday won last year.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
Windthorst QB Brock Belcher: 19-23, 344 yds, 3 TD; 36 yds, 1 TD rushing
Windthorst WR Kolby Teakell: 7 rec, 247 yds, 3 TD
Windthorst LB Drew Anderle: 10 tkl, 2 sacks
Seymour QB Brayden Loyd: 17-23, 324 yds, 5 TD
Seymour WR Brason Zeissel: 4 rec, 141 yds, 3 TD
Haskell WR Nemo Silvas: 7 rec, 84 yds
Munday RB AJ Diaz: 83 yds rushing
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Windthorst
2. Seymour
3. Archer City
4. Haskell
5. Petrolia
6. Electra
7. Munday
DISTRICT 4-1A DIVISION I
Knox City 34, Westbrook 24
Valley 74, Motley County 48
Northside 51, Patton Springs 6
O’Donnell 72, Spur 34
BEST WIN
Knox City got the season started in style with a 34-24 upset victory over #1 Westbrook at the Jayton Gridiron Classic Thursday night. The Greyhounds turned in an outstanding defensive effort to limit the powerful Wildcats to just 24 points and will likely make a big jump in the standings. Westbrook had a 12-6 lead but saw Knox City score the next 20 points to go up 26-12. The final margin was as close as the Wildcats got, as four failed extra-point attempts loomed large. Cameron Hernandez led the Hounds with 94 yards and a touchdown rushing. Knox City will host Motley County next week, while Westbrook has another tough game Thursday night at home against Jonesboro.
TOUGHEST LOSS
Spur was the only district squad to taste defeat, falling 72-34 against O’Donnell.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
Knox City Cameron Hernandez: 94 yds, 1 TD rushing
Knox City Tristin Baxter: 39 yds, 1 TD rushing; 1-1, 22 yds, 1 TD passing; 1 rec, 14 yds, 1 TD
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Knox City
2. Valley
3. Northside
4. Spur
DISTRICT 8-1A DIVISION I
Highland 72, Loraine 48
Hermleigh 52, Sands 30
Claude 56, Roby 6
Knox City 34, Westbrook 24
Robert Lee 46, Rotan 0
Ira did not play
BEST WIN
Highland earned the win of the week with its 24-point road victory at state-ranked Loraine. The Bulldogs are in 1A D2 but are no pushovers with the likes of AJ Williams on the field. Highland avenged a season-opening loss to Loraine in 2022.
The game was tied at 20 in the second quarter, but Highland outscored the Bulldogs 34-8 to take a commanding 54-28 lead by halftime on the way to the win.
Photo: Highland Hornet Athletics
TOUGHEST LOSS
Westbrook could be in the discussion, but falling in week one to Knox City is nothing to be too upset about.
We’ll call it a tie between Roby and Rotan, as both squads suffered mercy rule defeats to kick off the season.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
Westbrook Keegan Gilbreath: 113 yds, 2 TD rushing; 59 yds, 1 TD passing
Highland Cooper Bowen: 174 yds, 6 TD rushing
Hermleigh Tyson Digby: 138 yds, 2 TD rushing; 18-27, 291 yds, 4 TD passing
Hermleigh Alex Wanderlich: 5 rec, 144 yds, 2 TD
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Westbrook
2. Highland
3. Hermleigh
4. Ira
5. Roby
6. Rotan
DISTRICT 9-1A DIVISION I
Baird 46, Meadow 22
Gordon 48, Throckmorton 0
Azle Christian 41, Bryson 40
Lometa 34, Gorman 12
Bluff Dale 46, Lingleville 20
Gold-Burg 64, Perrin-Whitt 16
BEST WIN
Give it up to Gordon for 45-ing 1A Division II powerhouse Throckmorton. The Longhorns start what could be a very special season in a big way.
Photo: Jo Brown Photography
Baird lost to Meadow 46-0 to open 2022, so their 46-22 victory to kickoff 2023 is impressive as well.
Photo: Baird Bear Athletic Booster Club
TOUGHEST LOSS
Gorman hadn’t lost to Lometa since 1985 before falling on the road to the Hornets in the season opener.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
N/A - send in your stats to cody@bigcountryblitz.com
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Gordon
2. Baird
3. Bryson
4. Gorman
5. Lingleville
6. Perrin-Whitt
DISTRICT 14-1A DIVISION I
May 59, Iredell 28
Jonesboro 64, Coolidge 18
Lometa 34, Gorman 12
Veribest 50, Santa Anna 0
Stephenville Faith 71, Evant 26
BEST WIN
Jonesboro took down a higher-rated team, but May picked up a game with Iredell on Friday and beat them soundly with only hours to prepare.
The Tigers gained over 500 yards of total offense to get 2023 started with a victory.
Photo: May Tiger Teams
TOUGHEST LOSS
Santa Anna blew out Veribest to kick off 2022, but the Falcons returned the favor in a big way with a shutout to get 2023 started.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
May Braden Steele: 178 yds, 4 TD rushing; 175 yds, 3 TD passing; 8 tkl
May Ben Harrell: 2 rec, 66 yds; 12 tkl, 2 tfl
May Lane Goodson: 94 yds rushing; 3 rec, 81 yds, 1 TD; 10 tkl
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Jonesboro
2. May
3. Lometa
4. Evant
5. Santa Anna
DISTRICT 5-1A DIVISION II
Aspermont 30, Blackwell 14
Jayton 68, Garden City 20
Valley 74, Motley County 48
Paducah 74, Guthrie 12
Northside 51, Patton Springs 6
Photo: Mark Martinez/Double Mountain Chronicle
BEST WIN
Aspermont’s second straight season-opening win over Blackwell is impressive, but Jayton’s thumping of 1A D1 power Garden City takes the cake.
The Jaybirds defended their home field in style to get to 1-0 on the season and should make a jump in the state rankings. They led 54-20 at the half and cruised to an early victory in the third quarter.
TOUGHEST LOSS
Guthrie, who gave up a lot of points in their loss to rival Paducah.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
Motley County Kadyn Roys: 180 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT passing; 90 yds, 2 TD rushing; 6 tkl
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Jayton
2. Aspermont
3. Motley County
4. Patton Springs
5. Guthrie
DISTRICT 6-1A DIVISION II
Benjamin 80, Follett 33
Crowell 100, Strawn 55
Paducah 74, Guthrie 12
Chillicothe 48, Darrouzett 0
Harrold 46, Paint Creek 6
BEST WIN
Week one was a very good one for the entire district, as all five teams earned victories by at least 40 points.
I’ll call this one a three-way tie: defending state champ Benjamin rolled past 1A D1 Follett, Crowell scored 100 against perennial state power Strawn, and Harrold earned its biggest victory since 2014! The Hornets snapped a 39-game losing streak in the final contest of 2022 and now have their first winning streak since 2014. It was their first home win in eight years, but they did not play from 2017 to 2019.
TOUGHEST LOSS
N/A
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
N/A: Send your stats to cody@bigcountryblitz.com
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Benjamin
2. Crowell
3. Paducah
4. Harrold
5. Chillicothe
DISTRICT 7-1A DIVISION II
Trent 51, Lueders-Avoca 6
Newcastle 72, Rule 18
Gordon 48, Throckmorton 0
Harrold 46, Paint Creek 6
Panther Creek 44, Woodson 38
BEST WIN
On the flip side of the coin from District 6, nobody in District 7 was victorious in week one.
TOUGHEST LOSS
Throckmorton had a tough loss in that they were shut out, but they were also shut out by a Gordon team that could win it all in 1A D1.
Rule’s loss may have been the toughest, as they lost in the playoffs in 2022 to Newcastle 97-49, then turned around and dropped the season opener to them by an even bigger margin.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
N/A: Send your stats to cody@bigcountryblitz.com
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Throckmorton
2. Woodson
3. Rule
4. Lueders-Avoca
5. Paint Creek
DISTRICT 13-1A DIVISION II
Aspermont 30, Blackwell 14
Highland 72, Loraine 48
Trent 51, Lueders-Avoca 6
Zephyr 42, Bronte 18
BEST WIN
Trent is the only team that won in week one, and the Gorillas looked impressive in their just-into-the-third-quarter mercy rule victory at Lueders-Avoca. It was win number one in game number one for new head coach Troy Sparks.
TOUGHEST LOSS
Loraine has nothing to hang its head about, but the Bulldogs do have high expectations this season, which took a little bit of a hit in their season-opening loss to Highland.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
Loraine AJ Williams: 97 yds rushing; 1 rec, 15 yds, 1 TD; 7-18, 98 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT passing; 14 tkl, 1 FR
Loraine Jadrian Limones: 9-12, 92 yds, 6 TD passing; 2 rec, 8 yds; 2 tkl
Loraine Johnathan Lujan: 5 rec, 93 yds, 3 TD; 9 tkl
Trent Michael Wallis: 250 yds, 6 TD rushing; 1 kickoff return for TD
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Loraine
2. Blackwell
3. Trent
4. Bronte
DISTRICT 14-1A DIVISION II
Rising Star 52, Blanket 6
Panther Creek 44, Woodson 38
Moran 40, Lohn 0
Paint Rock 34, TLCA Midland 22
BEST WIN
Every team in the district won in week one, but I’ll give the nod to Moran here. The Bulldogs suffered through a winless 2022 and hadn’t beaten a varsity team since midway through 2021. Beating Lohn helps give the Bulldogs a bit of confidence going forward in 2022.
Rising Star picked up where they left off last year, blasting Blanket to start the season 1-0.
And Panther Creek earned a nice win as well, battling the distance and getting past Woodson at home, 44-38.
Photo: ColemanToday.com
TOUGHEST LOSS
N/A
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
Moran Ellis Hise: 214 yds, 3 TD rushing; 2 rec, 8 yds; 31 yds, 1 TD passing; 18 tkl, 1 pbu, 1 ff
Moran Caleb York: 15 tkl; 1 rec, 31 yds, 1 TD; 62 yds, 1 TD rushing
Panther Creek Brayden Barnett: 3 TD
Panther Creek Trevor Croft: 2 TD
Rising Star Dathon Morris: 95 yds, 2 TD rushing
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Rising Star
2. Panther Creek
3. Paint Rock
4. Moran
DISTRICT 15-1A DIVISION II
Zephyr 42, Bronte 18
Sidney 46, Priddy 0
Brookesmith 1, Mullin 0 (Forfeit)
Rising Star 52, Blanket 6
Gustine did not play
BEST WIN
Zephyr went on the road and took down Bronte 42-18, avenging its only regular-season loss of 2022. The Bulldogs rallied from a 12-0 deficit, forcing five turnovers on their way to the comeback win.
Photo: San Angelo LIVE!
TOUGHEST LOSS
Blanket should still be in the thick of things when district play rolls around, but a mercy rule loss to Rising Star in the season opener for the second straight season is a tough loss to swallow.
Photo: Brownwoodnews.com
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
Zephyr Tripp Ballard: 67 yds, 2 TD rushing; 1 rec, 15 yds; 80-yard INT return for TD, 12 tkl
Zephyr Trapper Schoenhals: 1 rec, 15 yds, 1 TD; 13 tkl
Blanket Kannon Kensing: 70 yds, 1 TD rushing
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Zephyr
2. Sidney
3. Blanket
4. Gustine
5. Mullin
DISTRICT 16-1A DIVISION II
Richland Springs 50, High Island 0
Brookesmith 1, Mullin 0 (Forfeit)
Rochelle 82, Medina 48
Cherokee 59, Burnet Smoking For Jesus 6
Moran 40, Lohn 0
BEST WIN
Cherokee’s easy victory over a Smoking For Jesus squad that is usually pretty good is impressive, but I’ll go with Rochelle here. The Hornets put 82 points on the board against a 1A Division I Medina team that was a playoff team in 2022.
TOUGHEST LOSS
Lohn was the only team in the district to come up on the losing side of things, falling to Moran 40-0.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
Richland Springs Billy Perry: 118 yds, 3 TD rushing
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Cherokee
2. Richland Springs
3. Rochelle
4. Brookesmith
5. Lohn
TAPPS 6-MAN DISTRICT 1 DIVISION II
Abilene Christian 62, Lubbock Titans 26
Fort Worth Covenant Classical 54, Westlake Academy 6
Midland Trinity 66, Midland Holy Cross 61
Amarillo San Jacinto 71, Amarillo Holy Cross 6
Denton Calvary 59, Rockwall Heritage 34
Irving The Highlands 75, Bethesda Christian 47
Prosper Prestonwood North 62, Keller Harvest Christian 8
BEST WIN
It’s tough to beat a win on your brand new field, which Abilene Christian got in style in their victory over the Lubbock Titans Friday night in the first game at Panther Stadium.
Photo: Abilene Christian School
TOUGHEST LOSS
Harvest Christian was the only district team to fall in week one.
BEST INDIVIDUAL EFFORTS
N/A: send your stats to cody@bigcountryblitz.com
DISTRICT POWER POLL
1. Fort Worth Covenant Classical
2. Abilene Christian
3. Midland Trinity
4. Denton Calvary
5. Irving The Highlands
6. Amarillo San Jacinto
7. Keller Harvest Christian
INDEPENDENT 6-MAN
Ranger gave Walnut Springs all they wanted but came up just short in the end in a 49-48 decision. The Bulldogs were 45-point underdogs according to the sixmanfootball.com computers, but battled to the final whistle. Walnut Springs led 27-20 at the half and held off Ranger in the second half. The Bulldogs are now set to play at Paint Rock on Friday.
DISTRICT STANDINGS
STILL PERFECT
26 of our area teams won in week one, with Ira still yet to play. We will see how many remain perfect after week two.
COLLEGE ROUNDUP
Cisco College was the only area college team that hit the field this past weekend. The Wranglers opened the Stephen Lee era with a 57-7 victory over TWA College.
Photo: Cisco Wrangler Express
SWJCFC Scores:
#2 Kilgore 49, Tyler 35
#4 Hutchinson (KS) 41, #9 Navarro 9
#14 NMMI 75, St. George (UT) 17
#6 Trinity Valley 31, #11 Snow College (UT) 24
NEXT WEEK:
Gordon Prep at Blinn
NMMI at Snow College
Independence (KS) at NE Oklahoma A&M
Cisco, Tyler, Trinity Valley, Navarro, and Kilgore are off.
ACU will begin the season Thursday night at home against Northern Colorado.
McMurry meets Birmingham Southern for a Thursday night season opener in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Hardin-Simmons will host Albright (PA) Friday night at Shelton Stadium.
Howard Payne heads to Oregon to battle George Fox on Saturday.
