Week 1 Rewind
Thoughts on the first full week of football in the Big Country, presented by Budget Blinds of Abilene.
OFF THE TOP
Photo: Skyler Blanton
No doubt about it, this has to start with the Stamford Bulldogs. Stamford snapped Albany’s 27-game winning streak, beating up on the two-time defending 2A Division II state champs 50-6 to kick off 2024. We figured the Bulldogs could be in for a special season, and this result does nothing to change our minds about that. The victory was also number 700 in program history, as the Bulldogs became just the 21st team in Texas history to reach that level.
Photo: Gary Stennett
Another set of Bulldogs caught my eye as well, the Clyde Bulldogs. Clyde went to Cisco and knocked off the Loboes 43-42 in an overtime thriller in the first game under new head coach Johnathon Haddock.
After going 0-10 for the first time in program history, Ballinger busted into the win column in week one with a 28-10 victory on the road at Merkel. The Bearcats spoiled the debut of new Merkel head coach Wes Wood and did not allow a single rushing yard in the contest.
Munday is another squad that kicked off 2024 in the right way after going 0-10 a year ago. The Moguls dominated TLCA Abilene 56-6 to bring a 14-game losing streak to a halt. It is head coaching victory number one for Brandon Langston.
The De Leon offense could be special this season. The Bearcats put 79 points on the board in a win over Dublin Friday night, but will be tested on different level with a home game against Stamford this week.
Photo: ColemanToday.com
The switch to the Wing-T combined with a suffocating defense got Eastland off to a great start in a 21-6 home win over Coleman.
Winters won the first Ice Bowl, freezing Frost 28-27. The Blizzards matched their 2023 win total in week one and hope to keep momentum rolling in their first season as a 2A Division II team.
Sweetwater will likely drop out of the state rankings after falling at Idalou 25-21. The Mustangs built a 21-0 lead but could not hold on in the season opening loss.
Photo: Johnna Reynolds/Texas 1A Fan
No six-man team in the state had a more impressive win than Jayton, who took down Westbrook on Thursday night 66-16. There is a lot of season to be played, but the Jaybirds just may be the team to beat in 1A Division II this season.
Chalk up a win for Gage Bozeman in his head coaching debut as the Rule Bobcats rolled past Northside 44-19 on the road.
Ditto for Zane Graves at Roby. The Lions start 2024 with a roar, beating Lorenzo 50-33.
Just about everyone, including Big Country Blitz, picked Klondike to knock off Knox City, but the Greyhounds proved they are reloading and not rebuilding with a 42-30 win over the preseason top ten Cougars.
A little out of our normal coverage area, but congrats to the Lohn Eagles for picking up their first varsity win since 2014! The Eagles beat Olfen 53-6 to snap a 49-game losing streak against varsity opponents.
The Abilene Eagle offense was clicking on all cylinders in week one, putting 60 points on the board in a 60-36 win at rival San Angelo Central. The 6A Bobcats did some work on offense themselves, but the Warbirds were just about unstoppable in their week one victory.
Photo: Scott Burkhalter Photography
The Eagles will face Cooper in the Crosstown Showdown next week. The Cougars’ comeback bid against Azle came up short in a 41-34 season opening loss.
Photo: Lily Cormack Photography
Defending 1A Division I state champ Gordon got off to a great start, taking in the West Texas scenery in Marfa and then beating up on the Shorthorns 51-6.
Mother Nature. She is still undefeated and took one of the best matchups of the week from us and Brownwood and Wylie did not get an opportunity to play. She also gave us our first tie in quite a while, as the Blanket/Menard game was called a 14-14 draw when the weather wouldn’t give.
Photo: Mark Martinez/Double Mountain Chronicle
COACHING DEBUTS
There were 22 coaching changes in the area this offseason, and just eight of them were able to win their first game with their new program.
Aspermont - Pat Potts
Baird - Dale Means
Clyde - Johnathon Haddock
Early - Randall Case
May - James Ball
Roby - Zane Graves
Rotan - Julian Menchaca
Rule - Gage Bozeman
Photo: May Tiger Teams Facebook
13 more came up short in their debut
Bangs - Colton Buzzard
Blackwell - Wiley Cummings
Highland - Bryson Oliver
Loraine - Mark Weaver
Lueders-Avoca - Donnie Waters
Jim Ned - Johnathon McClure
Merkel - Wes Wood
Sidney - James Rucker
Snyder - Anthony Gonzales
Throckmorton - Curtis Lowery
TLCA Abilene - Stephen Ward
Trent - Slater Isbell
And, as mentioned earlier, a tie for Blanket means Jalen Helms’ now has a career head coaching record of 0-0-1.
LEGEND HONORED
Snyder ISD renamed Tiger Stadium to Grant Teaff Tiger Stadium Friday in honor of the 1951 Tiger graduate and college football coaching legend.
Read more about the special day here: Snyder Renames Tiger Stadium For Teaff
Photo: Greg Rachac/Montana Sports.com
MEET ME IN MONTANA
Strawn had the opportunity to go play in Montana on Saturday, beating Custer-Hysham-Melstone, Montana, 71-21 to start the season with a win.
The Greyhound football and volleyball teams left Tuesday and played Montana teams over the past few days.
Milford traveled as well, beating Highwood 50-13 Saturday as part of a double-header at Rocky Mountain College in Billings.
Photo: Greg Rachac/Montana Sports.com
FINAL SCORES
Abilene High 60, San Angelo Central 36
Azle 41, Cooper 34
Wylie 0, Brownwood 0 - Cancelled/Weather
Pecos 41, Snyder 7
Estacado 14, Jim Ned 7
Idalou 25, Sweetwater 21
Clyde 43, Cisco 42 OT
Holliday 64, Breckenridge 0
Ballinger 28, Merkel 10
Wall 28, Mason 6
Brady 27, San Antonio YMLA 0
Eastland 21, Coleman 6
Early 34, Bangs 12
Peaster 10, Tolar 0
De Leon 79, Dublin 49
Hamilton 33, Millsap 18
Seymour 58, Colorado City 35
Stamford 50, Albany 6
Hawley 49, Roscoe 21
Winters 28, Frost 27
Cross Plains 24, Haskell 22
Anson 34, Hamlin 21
Munday 56, TLCA Abilene 6
Miles 32, Sonora 14
San Saba 14, Grape Creek 2
Knox City 42, Klondike 30
Jayton 66, Westbrook 16
Rule 44, Northside 19
Roby 50, Lorenzo 33
Rotan 49, Trent 33
Hermleigh 54, Sands 34
Photo: Bobbie Brown/Texas 1A Fan
Ira 60, Bryson 22
Gordon 51, Marfa 6
Baird 46, Nueces Canyon 0
Jonesboro 60, Abilene Christian 13
May 51, Sidney 0
Santa Anna 42, Bronte 22
Lometa 32, Gorman 8
Bluff Dale 46, Throckmorton 0
Aspermont 64, Blackwell 44
Woodson 66, Harrold 33
Blanket 14, Menard 14 - Weather/Tie
Zephyr 29, Veribest 27
Brookesmith 52, Mullin 25
Leakey 59, Rising Star 14
Richland Springs 56, Leakey Big Spring Charter 0
Lohn 53, Olfen 6
Robert Lee 78, Loraine 28
Moran 55, Lueders-Avoca 16
Gustine 58, Paint Creek 30
Walnut Springs 72, Ranger 27
Perrin-Whitt 46, Gold-Burg 0
Three Way 49, Evant 0
Paducah 46, Guthrie 0
Newcastle 50, Iredell 22
Spur 50, Wellman Union 0
THE UNDEFEATED - WEEK 1
Here are the Big Country teams that won (or tied, or didn't get to play), along with the Big Country And Beyond graphic for teams in Big Country districts.
HONOR ROLL
The best individual performances of Week 1
11-MAN
Brayden Henry, Abilene High: 9-14, 304 yds, 4 td, 1 in passing; 67 yds rushing; 2 rec, 7 yds, 1 td
Ryland Bradford, Abilene High: 5 rec, 154 yds, 3 td; 29 yds, 1 td rushing
Bryson Perez, Abilene High: 3 rec, 107 yds, 1 td
Calhan Fairchild, Albany: 6 rec, 93 yds; 3 tkl
Hudson Heatly, Albany: 3 rec, 37 yds, 1 td; 9 tkl
Dezi Delgado, Anson: 114 yds, 2 td rushing; 1 rec, 14 yds
Corey Layne, Anson: 14-29, 190 yds, 2 td, 2 int passing; 56 yds, 1 td rushing; 10 tkl, 1 sack, 4 tfl
Malachi St. John, Anson: 5 rec, 83 yds, 2 td
Ethan Lozano, Anson: 9 tkl
Aiden Pena, Ballinger: 126 yds, 1 td rushing
Brayden Gatlin, Bangs: 81 yds, 1 td rushing; 1 rec, 27 yds
Ashton Taylor, Brady: 145 yds, 2 td rushing
Julius Proffitt, Cisco: 7-10, 168 yds, 3 td passing; 79 yds, 3 td rushing
Laike Kennedy, Cisco: 3 rec, 76 yds, 3 td
Devan Wright, Clyde: 7-9, 127 yds, 1 td passing; 156 yds, 2 td rushing
Brayden Torres, Coleman: 141 yds passing; 73 yds rushing
Brooks Clippinger, Coleman: 13 tkl
Paul Salas, Coleman: 11 tkl
Cayden Davis, Comanche: 7-13, 139 yds, 1 td passing; 83 yds rushing
Zavian Alexander, Cooper: 6 rec, 95 yds, 2 td
Tyler Mackey, Cross Plains: 97 yds, 1 td rushing; 4 rec, 52 yds, 2 td
Jessey Bradford, Cross Plains: 9 tkl
Heston Jobe, De Leon: 13-20, 413 yds, 4 td passing; 176 yds, 4 td rushing
Lane Couch, De Leon: 210 yds, 1 td rushing
Jake Cooper, De Leon: 4 rec, 168 yds, 2 td
Max Jones, De Leon: 3 rec, 165 yds, 2 td
Andrew Reedy, Early: 7 rec, 244 yds, 2 td; 26 yds, 1 td rushing; 3 tkl, 1 int
Weston Barton, Early: 9-17, 252 yds, 3 td passing; 29 yds rushing
Brandon Walker, Early: 82 yds, 1 td rushing
Kaedyn Byrd, Early: 17 tkl, 1 tfl, 1 sack, 1 ff
Ian Gruben, Hamlin: 14-26, 120 yds, 2 td, 1 int passing; 17 yds rushing
Hudson Smith, Hamlin: 55 yd int return for td; 47 yds rushing, 2 rec, 5 yds
Haegen Pinkerton, Haskell: 17-24, 190 yds, 1 td passing; 125 yds, 2 td rushing
Ethan Camacho, Haskell: 5 rec, 103 yds, 1 td
Keagan Ables, Hawley: 17-27, 294 yds, 5 td passing; 68 yds, 1 td rushing
Coeyn Lovelady, Hawley: 32 yds rushing; 3 rec, 43 yds, 2 td
Camden Ables, Hawley: 4 rec, 80 yds, 1 td
Jonathon Calderon, Merkel: 13 tkl, 1 tfl
Rayson Houston, Merkel: 11 tkl, 3 tfl
Easton Malone, Merkel: 11 tkl
Tevin Meade, Miles: 145 yds, 4 td rushing
Cooper Ellison, Miles: 4 rec, 96 yds, 1 td
AJ Diaz, Munday: 111 yds, 2 td rushing
Kiyryn Wilson, Munday: 83 yds, 2 td rushing
Aiden Ellis, Jim Ned: 86 yds, 1 td rushing; 6 tkl, 4 tfl
Carter Lange, Jim Ned: 8 tkl, 4 tfl, 4 qb hurries
Christian Duran, Stamford: 8-11, 221 yds, 2 td passing; 110 yds, 3 td rushing
Stetson Campbell, Stamford: 80 yds, 1 td rushing
Cle Whitfield, Stamford: 1 rec, 80 yds, 1 td; 22 yds rushing
Korda Moore, Sweetwater: 85 yds, 2 td rushing
Mark Moreno, Winters: 136 yds, 1 td rushing; 1 rec, 78 yds, 1 td
Caleb Rutherford, Winters: 121 yds, 1 td rushing
6-MAN
Caleb Broshears, Aspermont: 5-6, 104 yds, 3 td passing; 129 yds, 2 td rushing; 2 rec, 13 yds; 9 tkl, 1 tfl
Kolby Bradshaw, Aspermont: 121 yds, 3 td rushing; 1 rec, 23 yds
Jaden Flores, Aspermont: 10.5 tkl, 2.5 tfl
Cameron Aultman, Blanket: 64 yds, 1 td rushing
Kannon Kensing, Blanket: 3 tkl, 1 fr returned 65 yds for td; 15 yds rushing
Adyn Ribble, Brookesmith: 214 yds, 4 td rushing
Noah Kostiha, Gordon: 3-3, 86 yds, 3 td passing
Asher Salinas, Gordon: 2 rec, 42 yds, 2 td
Blake Bankhead, Highland: 4 rec, 30 yds; 27 yds rushing
Bode Ham, Jayton: 117 yds, 5 td rushing; 1-1, 24 yds passing; 1 rec, 18 yds
Colt Gentry, Jayton: 4 rec, 134 yds, 1 td
Zander Abila, Knox City; 168 yds, 1 td rushing
Cameron Hernandez, Knox City: 117 yds, 2 td rushing
Matthew Bolen, Loraine: 6-10, 190 yds, 3 td, 2 int passing; 93 yds, 1 td rushing; 5 tkl
Johnathan Lujan, Loraine: 7 tkl, 1 ff; 2 rec, 87 yds
Ben Harrell, May: 145 yds, 3 td rushing; 5 tkl, 1 pbu, 1 int returned for td
Lane Goodson, May: 22 yds, 2 td rushing; 5 tkl, 1 pbu
Keegan Boyd, Moran: 215 yds rushing; 11 tkl
Cotten Campbell, Moran: 12 tkl; 1 rec, 5 yds, 1 td
Ellis Hise, Moran: 191 yds, 3 td rushing; 1 rec, 28 yds, 1 td; 15 tkl, 2 int
Gabe Cerveny, Roby: 164 yds, 3 td rushing; 7 tkl, 3 tfl
Kullen Daniel, Roby: 2-3, 63 yds, 1 td passing; 21 yds rushing; 5 rec, 84 yds, 1 td; 5 tkl
Gage Barrera, Roby: 15 tkl
Caiden Meiwes, Roby: 5 tkl, 2 int
Tayden Yanez, Rotan: 163 yds, 2 td rushing
Jose Garcia, Rotan: 106 yds, 4 td rushing; 1-1, 22 yds passing
Jayden Martinez, Rotan: 7 tkl, 1 fr
Frankie Olivera, Rule: 196 yds, 2 td rushing; 49 yds, 2 td passing; 12.5 tkl
Kyleik Mason, Rule: 72 yds, 3 td rushing; 3 rec, 63 yds, 2 td; 3.5 tkl
Jeremiah Davila, Santa Anna: 11 tkl
William Perry, Santa Anna: 174 yds, 1 td rushing; 13 tkl, 3 tfl, 1 fr
Wyatt Strickland, Santa Anna: 41 yds, 4 td rushing; 15 tkl
Michael Wallis, Trent: 103 yds, 2 td rushing; 3-4, 25 yds, 1 td passing; 3 tkl
Chanse Williams, Trent: 63 yds, 1 td rushing; 4 rec, 45 yds, 1 td; 5 tkl, 2 tfl
Brayden Cathey, Trent: 5 tkl, 2 int, 1 int returned 80 yds for td
Grayson Jeffrey, Westbrook: 103 yds, 1 td rushing; 4-6, 110 yds, 1 td, 2 int passing; 1 rec, 26 yds
Jace Munoz, Woodson: 136 yds, 4 td rushing; 5-5, 111 yds, 1 td passing; 9 tkl
Britton Bellah, Woodson: 126 yds, 3 td rushing; 2 rec, 91 yds, 1 td; 7 tkl
Lake Lawson, Woodson: 12 tkl, 2 tfl, 2 fr; 19 yds rushing; 2 rec, 13 yds
Chayden Woodcock, Zephyr: 168 yds, 3 td rushing
Tripp Ballard, Zephyr: 122 yds, 1 td rushing
DISTRICT STANDINGS
NEXT WEEK
Cooper at Abilene High
Monterey at Wylie
Brownwood at Wall
Snyder at Lake View
Childress at Breckenridge
Eastland at Clyde
Llano at Comanche
Trinity Christian at Jim Ned
Sweetwater at Greenwood
Cisco at TLCA San Angelo
Merkel at Bangs
Mason at Brady
Clifton at Coleman
Dublin at Millsap
Hamilton at Early
Tolar at Teague
Christoval at Ballinger
McCamey at Colorado City
Anson at Archer City
Albany at Hawley
Stamford at De Leon
Cross Plains at TLCA Abilene
Quanah at Haskell
Munday at Winters
Hamlin at Seymour
Sterling City at Miles
Roscoe at Coahoma
Knox City at Strawn
Hermleigh at Water Valley
Highland vs Nueces Canyon (@ Veribest)
Spur at Ira
Motley County at Roby
Jonesboro at Westbrook
Rotan at Patton Springs
Valley at Gordon
Gorman at Stephenville Faith
Rising Star at Lingleville
Ranger at Woodson
Blum at Lometa
Oglesby at May
Santa Anna at Veribest
Blackwell at Zephyr
Bronte at Rule
Paint Rock at Loraine
Wilson at Trent
Follett at Benjamin
Aspermont at Southland
Klondike at Jayton
Lueders-Avoca at Lohn
Moran at Paint Creek
Harrold at Throckmorton
Blanket at Cranfills Gap
Sidney at Eden
Brookesmith at Bluff Dale
Abilene Christian at Midland Trinity
COLLEGE ROUNDUP
Photo: John Moore/Getty Images
ACU gave Texas Tech all it wanted and then some, falling in overtime 52-51.
The Wildcats kicked a field goal with five seconds to play to send the game to OT.
The Red Raiders scored first, then the Wildcats answered and went for two to try to win. However, Maverick McIvor was brought down in the backfield and ACU came up short.
Head coach Keith Patterson said, “After they scored the touchdown to start overtime, I made up my mind and told (offensive coordinator) Rick Bowie that if we scored, we were going for two and the win. We came here to play to win, and that's how we played."
The Wildcats outgained Tech 615 to 539, with 506 of those yards coming through the air and McIvor, who threw three touchdown passes.
Eastland grad Behren Morton had a great game for Tech, completing 30-42 passes for 378 yards and five touchdowns.
Patterson said of his team, “There was something different about this team during the summer and fall camp. There was a competitive spirit and nature in this group that I hadn't witnessed during my first two years at ACU. I didn't know if it would carry over when you flip on the lights against a Big 12 opponent. I didn't know if we would compete with that same mental intensity, but we did. I was proud of the resilience we showed to continue fighting back. They never got down on the sideline and kept saying we would win the game, and that's how we played."
ACU will host West Georgia next Saturday at 7 p.m.
Next week Hardin-Simmons will play at Howard Payne, McMurry will travel to Southwestern, and Cisco College will host Coffeyville, KS in the schools’ respective season openers.
