Week 11 Rewind
Never a doubt we’d get to this point, right?
The playoffs are here and many area teams are gearing up for what they hope will be deep postseason runs. Others have packed up their gear, some because of a lack of wins and, sadly, others because of COVID.
Here’s a look at how things stand in the Big Country after the 4A-1A schools, plus Abilene Christian at the TAPPS level, wrapped up their regular season and the bigger schools keep plugging away.
First of all, we take the time to give COLEMAN proper respect for a season that should have ended in the playoffs. The Bluecats had already wrapped up a trip to the postseason when they had to shut things down due to COVID. The football team, which had improved from four wins to six, was getting ready to battle Winters for the third spot out of District 4-2A Division I when they got the news. The volleyball and cross country teams had to bow out as well in the middle of outstanding seasons.
I got to call a couple Coleman games for KOXE radio this year and came away impressed at how physical and hard they played. Eight seniors helped John Elder turn the program around and it is a shame they won’t get to take the field in the playoffs.
Shout out to Bangs, just 20 miles away from Coleman, for carrying the Bluecats flag out on the field for their game last week against Brady. All class from Kyle Maxfield and company.
Speaking of BANGS, the Dragons enter the playoffs with a fresh batch of momentum after their bounce back 76-23 beat down of Brady. Ethan Sanchez ran for 440 (!) yards and seven (!) touchdowns and the Dragons picked 552 of their 635 yards of total offense on the ground.
BAIRD is in the six-man playoffs for the first time in school history after knocking off Gorman at home 44-14 to claim the second seed out of District 13-1A Division II. The Bears lost their first three games this season but won five of their last seven to reach the postseason for the first time since 2016.
It took a whole lot longer than they would have liked, but the BRECKENRIDGE BUCKAROOS picked up their first victory under native son Casey Pearce Friday night in San Angelo. The Bucks dispatched of TLCA San Angelo 42-0 in their best outing of the year on both offense and defense. Now they’ll take a little momentum with them into the offseason as they look to build on a 1-8 2020.
The CISCO LOBOES had one of the most impressive victories in the entire state when they rocked #6 San Saba 48-6 to claim the District 4-2A Division I championship. Cisco has now won 55 straight district games, has won ten straight district titles and takes a five-game winning streak with them into their 18th trip to the playoffs in the last 19 seasons.
HAMLIN, the only remaining unbeaten team in the Big Country, took care of business against Lockney 22-0 Friday night to claim the District 5-2A Division II title. The Pipers picked up their third shutout of the season, and only allowed 53 points the entire season (5.9 points per game). That’s the fewest points allowed for the Pipers in a season since the 1942 squad gave up 39 points in eight games.
When I graduated from Hardin-Simmons in 2004 HAWLEY was one of the few programs in the state that had never made the playoffs. The Bearcats have made the postseason ten times since then, thanks to some hard work from my old racquetball “professor” at HSU, Mitch Ables. Ables has now led the Bearcats to three straight district titles after his squad held off Forsan 14-8 Friday night.
Jake Freeman was a star at Hardin-Simmons, that I watched from the bench/sidelines, and he has his ROSCOE PLOWBOYS in the playoffs thanks to a 42-34 win at Crosbyton. Despite a 1-9 record, Roscoe is back in the dance for the first time since 2017.
STAMFORD held off rival Haskell 56-32 to earn the fourth playoff spot out of District 3-2A Division I. The Bulldogs are playoff bound for the fourth year in a row and 10th time in the past 11 years. Quarterback Zhawn Holden had a huge night for Stamford, racking up 425 yards of total offense and six touchdowns.
It’s not yet playoff time for the big boys, but WYLIE has a much better shot of becoming a 5A playoff team for the first time thanks to their 44-14 win over Wichita Falls. The Bulldogs jumped out to a big lead and maybe even had a chance to relax, a little, and watch at halftime as longtime head coach Hugh Sandifer and his wife Brenda were inducted into the WISD Hall of Honor. It was the Bulldogs first home game in over a calendar year, and first at the newly named Hugh Sandifer Stadium.
IN THE BOOKS
Football season has come to a close for many area teams. We briefly looked back at the year that was for Highland, Moran, Ranger, Rising Star, Santa Anna, Snyder and Trent last week, now it’s time to send a few more teams into the sunset.
ASPERMONT: The Hornets went 4-6 and missed out on the playoffs for the second straight season. A 1-3 run in district play keeps Aspermont home.
BRECKENRIDGE: The Bucks went 1-8 and but hope to build the program back to being a traditional power going forward. They have missed the playoffs two years in a row, their first two-year drought since 2008 and 2009.
COLORADO CITY: The Wolves losing streak is at 21 after their second straight 0-10 season. Colorado City scored just 35 points all season, their fewest since scoring just 29 in 1-9 campaign under Weldon Brevard in 1973.
HASKELL: The Indians are on the outside looking in at the playoffs for the first time since 2016 after going 2-7 overall and 1-4 in district play in their fourth season under Brian Hodnett.
MERKEL: The Badgers went 3-6 in their first season under Britt Hart, one game better than their 2-8 2109 campaign. Merkel won their first two games of the year, but dropped six of their final seven against a tough schedule. Merkel has now missed the playoffs two years in a row.
ROBY: The Lions showed a ton of improvement in their second full season of six-man football, jumping from 1-7 to 5-5. Roby has not made the playoffs since 2013.
ROTAN: The Yellowhammers also got much better in 2020, seeing their win total jump from two to six in their first season under head coach Dale Means. Rotan had a tough finish, however, dropping their final three games (including two forfeits) after winning their first six.
RULE: The Bobcats just missed out on the playoffs thanks to a 66-44 loss to Chillicothe in the season finale Friday night. Rule improved by two wins from four to six in their third year with head coach Kade Kittley.
TLCA ABILENE: The Eagles had a rough go of it in their first varsity season, going 0-7 and only putting six points on the board. They only got to play one district game, a 70-0 loss to Loraine.
PLAYOFF TIME
24 Big Country teams are playoff bound and begin what they hope are deep runs this week. Abilene Christian’s TAPPS Division III matchup has not yet been listed.
With all the #1 vs #4 seed matchups, the first round can bring forth a large number of blowouts, but some lower seeds do rise up and knock off district champs here and there. Here’s look at the bi-district games in descending order of intrigue to yours truly.
21. Ballinger (10-1) vs Odessa Compass (1-7)
Winner vs Spearman/Lubbock Roosevelt
This game is not happening, so it gets listed first. Compass cannot play, so Ballinger advances with it’s first playoff win since 2007 and will take on the winner of Spearman and Lubbock Roosevelt in the area round.
20. Albany (8-1) vs Chico (1-7) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Graham
Winner vs Ralls/Seymour
Chico sneaks into the playoffs as a one-win team and likely won’t stay long. The Dragons averaged only 8.6 points per game this season, which won’t be nearly enough against the powerful Lions, who only allowed two touchdowns in district play.
19. Lueders-Avoca (2-7) vs Fannindel (9-0)
Winner vs Morgan/Gordon
The Raiders won their last two district games to reach the playoffs, but will have to play their best game of 2020 to have a chance against the state ranked Falcons.
18. Bangs (8-1) vs Tornillo (3-4) - Thursday, 6:30 p.m. - Fort Stockton
Winner vs Canadian/Coahoma
The Dragons should not have much of a problem against the Coyotes, who have wins over San Elizario 36-30, Anthony 28-26 and forfeit victory over Odessa Compass on their resume. The area round matchup will be one to watch, as Bangs will likely have to face #1 ranked Canadian.
17. Hamlin (9-0) vs Olney (5-4) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Breckenridge
Winner vs Cross Plains/Petrolia
Here is another 1 vs 4 matchup that should not be much of a contest. The Pipers are on a mission to get back to Jerry World, and the Cubs, though improved and in the playoffs for the first time since 2006, likely won’t be able to put up much of a fight.
16. Hawley (8-2) vs Goldthwaite (3-7) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Brownwood
Winner vs Sundown/Farwell
The Eagles are in the playoffs only because of Coleman’s bad luck and a miraculous finish to their 47-43 week 11 win over De Leon. Goldthwaite recovered a fumble when De Leon was trying to take a knee to run out the clock in the final minute and scored the game winner on offense moments later to get into the playoffs. District champ Hawley should be able to handle the Eagles and advance.
15. Levelland (2-8) at Sweetwater (7-1) - Friday, 7 p.m.
Winner vs Celina/Vernon
The Mustangs return to action after a two week break to take on a Lobo squad that went 1-3 in district play. Levelland did beat Snyder by 16 (Sweetwater beat their rivals by 19), but gave up 40 points or more in seven games this season. That’s a clear edge for Sweetwater, who averaged over 47 points per game.
14. Eastland (7-3) vs Callisburg (5-5) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Decatur
Winner vs Bells/Edgewood
Eastland, winners of seven straight, should be able to keep its powerful offense rolling enough to get past Callisburg. The Wildcats reached the postseason courtesy of a 21-14 win over 1-9 Valley View last week.
13. Roscoe (1-9) vs Quanah (5-4) - Thursday, 6:30 p.m. - Abernathy
Winner vs Muenster/Santo
The Plowboys have a little momentum after beating Crosbyton to reach the playoffs, but they’ll have to step up to another level to take down Quanah. The Indians rolled through district play a perfect 4-0, winning by an average of 33 points per game.
12. Early (5-5) vs Brock (10-0) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Stephenville
Winner vs Denver City/Littlefield
To be the best you have to beat the best, and that’s what Early will have to do when they take on the top ranked Brock Eagles. Early is in the postseason for the first time since 2008, while Brock has made deep playoff runs in each of the past six seasons.
11. Jim Ned (8-1) vs Paradise (7-3) - Friday, 7:30 p.m. - Dublin
Winner vs Dalhart/Lamesa
The Indians are on a roll that should not be stopped by the Panthers Friday night. Jim Ned has huge wins over Eastland, Cisco, Hallettsville and Wall this season and is battle tested. Paradise won it’s final four district games to reach the postseason, but lost handily to the top three seeds from District 4-3A Division I.
10. Clyde (4-6) vs Pilot Point (7-3) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Stephenville
Winner vs Shallowater/Amarillo River Road
The Bulldogs turned their season around in district play, and, despite losing, showed grit against Wall and Jim Ned. Those battles will come in handy against a Pilot Point team that has also played some tough games. The Bearcats lost their regular season finale to top ranked Brock and lost earlier in the season to Gunter, the #1 ranked team in 3A Division II.
9. Cisco (7-3) vs Stamford (5-5) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Clyde
Winner vs Olton/New Deal
The Bulldogs have another tough battle on their hands against the powerful Loboes. Cisco proved they were ready to make another deep run with the way they handled San Saba last week.
8. Baird (5-5) vs Water Valley (5-2) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Blackwell
Winner vs Leakey/Lometa
The Bears are in, but they’ll have to raise their game to another level against Water Valley. The Wildcats started the season with mercy rule losses to state ranked Westbrook and Borden County before winning their final five games rather easily.
7. Loraine (6-4) vs Balmorhea (7-1) - Thursday, 7:30 p.m. - Rankin
Winner vs Jayton/Chillicothe
The Bulldogs will have their hands full as they take on the top ranked Bears. Loraine came up shy of a district title with a 52-44 loss to Blackwell last week, and will have to play even better to have any kind of shot against Balmorhea.
6. Anson (7-2) vs Winters (4-6) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Roscoe
Winner vs Post/West Texas
This all-Big Country battle is a rematch of the Tigers 34-22 season opening win at Winters. The Blizzards got better as the season rolled on, but Anson is a very good team that is a one-point loss to Hawley away from being a district champion.
5. Brownwood (4-5) at Kennedale (10-0) - Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Winner vs Melissa/Dallas Carter
The Lions limp into the playoffs with a big loss at La Vega, but, since they did not play the scheduled season finale with district champ Midlothian Heritage Saturday, will have some time (11 days) to heal up some injuries before taking on unbeaten Kennedale. The Lions played the tougher schedule by far, let’s see if they’re battled tested enough to challenge the District 6 champs on their home field.
4. Cross Plains (8-2) vs Petrolia (6-3) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Breckenridge
Winner vs Hamlin/Olney
One of the few matchups between teams with winning records pits the Buffaloes against Pirates. Both teams dropped games to state ranked teams in the district, Albany for Cross Plains and Windthorst for Petrolia, but the Pirates also have losses to state ranked McCamey and a 48-0 defeat at the hands of Muenster in the season finale.
3. May (9-1) vs Irion County (9-1) - Friday, 7:30 p.m. - Robert Lee
Winner vs Jonesboro/Nueces Canyon
This one may end up being a blowout for May, but 9-1 Irion County will be the best team, on paper, the Tigers have played since a week three win over Knox City. The Hornets are #23 in the sixmanfootball.com 1A Division I rankings. Their only loss this season was to district champ Water Valley (#10 in the sixmanfootball.com rankings) 62-16.
2. Hermleigh (9-1) vs Sterling City (10-0) - Thursday, 7:30 p.m. - Robert Lee
Winner vs Rankin/Van Horn
The Cardinals saw a nine-game winning streak snapped with a loss to rival Ira, now, after a week off, will get a crack at the number one ranked team in the state.
1. Ira (8-2) vs Westbrook (9-1) - Friday, 7:30 p.m. - Colorado City
Winner vs Fort Davis/Garden City
Ira is no stranger to the postseason, and that should come in handy against a Westbrook team that was ranked #1 in the state for much of the season before falling to Sterling City.
NON-PLAYOFF GAMES
Class 6A and 5A are not quite ready for postseason play thanks to a later start.
Wolfforth Frenship at Abilene High
Cooper at Saginaw
Wylie at Canyon Randall
STANDINGS
District 2-6A
San Angelo Central 4-0, 4-3
Odessa Permian 3-1, 5-2
Midland Lee 2-1, 5-1
Abilene 1-2, 1-4
Midland 1-2, 1-5
Wolfforth Frenship 1-3, 2-5
Odessa 0-3, 0-4
This week: Frenship at Abilene; Odessa at Midland Lee; Midland at Permian
District 3-5A Division I
Cooper 3-0, 4-1
Brewer 3-0, 4-2
Azle 2-0, 4-1
Justin Northwest 2-1, 4-2
Arlington Heights 1-1, 3-1
Granbury 1-3, 2-5
Crowley 0-3, 0-6
Saginaw 0-4, 0-7
This week: Cooper at Saginaw; Northwest at Granbury; Arlington Heights at Crowley
District 3-5A Division II
Wichita Falls Rider 2-0, 5-1
Lubbock Cooper 2-0, 5-1
Wylie 1-1, 2-2
Wichita Falls 1-2, 2-3
Canyon Randall 1-2, 3-4
Plainview 0-2, 2-4
This week: Wylie at Randall; Plainview at Rider
FINAL STANDINGS
District 5-4A Division I
Midlothian Heritage 4-0, 8-2
Waco La Vega 4-1, 7-2
Stephenville 3-2, 5-5
Brownwood 2-2, 4-5
Waxahachie Life 1-4, 2-7
Alvarado 0-5, 2-8
District 1-4A Division II
Sweetwater 4-0, 7-1
Greenwood 3-1, 5-3
Monahans 2-2, 4-6
Pecos 1-3, 3-5
Snyder 0-4, 2-6
District 3-3A Division I
Jim Ned 5-0, 8-1
Wall 4-1, 7-3
Clyde 3-2, 4-6
Early 2-3, 5-5
Breckenridge 1-4, 1-8
TLCA San Angelo 0-5, 0-10
District 2-3A Division II
Ballinger 5-0, 10-1
Bangs 4-1, 8-1
Sonora 3-2, 4-6
Brady 2-3, 4-6
Grape Creek 1-4, 2-8
Ingram Moore 0-5, 5-5
District 5-3A Division II
Eastland 5-0, 7-3
Jacksboro 3-2, 6-4
Comanche 3-2, 8-2
Millsap 3-2, 7-3
Merkel 1-4, 3-6
Dublin 0-5, 1-8
District 3-2A Division I
Hawley 5-0, 8-2
Anson 4-1, 7-2
Forsan 3-2, 5-4
Stamford 2-3, 5-5
Haskell 1-4, 2-7
Colorado City 0-5, 0-10
District 4-2A Division I
Cisco 5-0, 7-3
San Saba 4-1, 7-2
Winters 3-2, 4-6
Coleman 2-3, 6-4
Goldthwaite 1-4, 3-7
De Leon 0-5, 1-9
District 5-2A Division II
Hamlin 4-0, 9-0
Ralls 3-1, 7-3
Lockney 2-2, 7-2
Roscoe 1-3, 1-9
Crosbyton 0-4, 1-9
District 8-2A Division II
Albany 5-0, 8-1
Cross Plains 4-1, 8-2
Santo 3-2, 6-4
Hico 2-3, 3-7
Meridian 1-4, 3-6
Ranger 0-5, 0-9
District 7-1A Division I
Ira 4-0, 8-2
Hermleigh 3-1, 9-1
Roby 2-2, 5-5
Aspermont 0-3, 3-6
Rotan 0-3, 6-3
District 8-1A Division I
Sterling City 4-0, 10-0
Westbrook 3-1, 9-1
Highland 2-2, 6-4
Robert Lee 1-3, 2-7
Bronte 0-4, 1-8
District 13-1A Division I
May 4-0, 9-1
Baird 3-1, 5-5
Gorman 2-2, 5-5
Santa Anna 1-3, 6-4
Lingleville 0-4, 1-9
District 6-1A Division II
Blackwell 4-0, 7-3
Loraine 3-1, 6-4
Trent 1-3, 1-9
Olfen 0-3, 0-5
TLCA Abilene 0-3, 0-7
District 8-1A Division II
Benjamin 3-0, 6-1
Chillicothe 2-1, 5-4
Rule 1-2, 6-4
Harrold 0-3, 0-5
District 9-1A Division II
Throckmorton 3-0, 7-1
Lueders-Avoca 2-1, 2-7
Woodson 1-2, 1-6
Moran 0-3, 0-10
District 15-1A Division II
Blanket 3-1, 7-3
Brookesmith 4-0, 7-2
Sidney 2-2, 5-4
Rising Star 1-3, 4-6
Panther Creek 0-4, 1-9
