Week 11 Rewind
Thoughts, stats, standings, and much more on the final week of regular season football in the Big Country, presented by (insert your business name here and get exposure across the entire Big Country).
OFF THE TOP
Cooper and Wylie took care of business Friday to head into the playoffs with momentum. The Cougars had to win their final three games to extend their playoff streak to 18 seasons, and they did it. Wylie won at Plainview to wrap up an undefeated run through district and claim the outright crown.
Brownwood is playoff-bound for the 16th year in a row. The Lions took care of Marble Falls at home 42-14 to make sure they’d be a playoff team once again.
Photo: Skyler Blanton
Jim Ned won at Sweetwater 45-28 and Comanche took care of Clyde on the road 42-14 to make it a three-way tie for first at the end of the season in 3-3A Division I.
Merkel fell at Coahoma to miss the playoffs and end the season 0-10. Wichita Falls Legacy, TLCA San Angelo, TLCA Abilene, Paint Rock, Olfen, Lueders-Avoca, Throckmorton, Panther Creek, and Weatherford Christian all suffered winless seasons. Merkel’s Wes Wood, Donnie Waters at Lueders-Avoca, and Curtis Lowery at Throckmorton all fail to find the win column in their first seasons at their schools.
Dublin won games when they counted, taking two district wins with them to make the playoffs. The Lions started the season 0-7 but won two of their final three to punch their first playoff ticket since 2021. Dublin trailed 22-2 at the half Friday against Early and rallied to win 36-22.
Stamford pulled away late to beat Hawley 38-22 in one of the most highly anticipated games of the season in the Big Country. Hawley pulled within 20-14 in the fourth, but the Bulldogs added a couple of scores late to wrap up their first unbeaten regular season since 1980. The Bearcats saw a 34-game district winning streak come to an end.
Hamilton wrapped up an unbeaten regular season, taking down De Leon 35-28 to win the district 5-2A D1 title. It’s the first 10-0 regular season for the Bulldogs since 2001.
Ballinger won a playoff play-in game by a single point at Hico to get back in the postseason and make their first playoff appearance under Ty Lang. The Bearcats are turning things around after going a combined 1-19 in 2022 and 2023.
Speaking of turning it around, Coleman won its final three games of the season after starting 0-7 and will be a playoff team for the fourth year in a row.
Goldthwaite turned in one of the most eye-popping performances of 2024, beating down top-ranked Mart 46-0 to wrap up the regular season. Both teams are still playoff bound, but the Eagles have a ton of momentum as they get set to take on District 9 winner Maud.
Miles took down Roscoe 29-13 in a battle for the two seed in District 7. The Bulldogs avoid having to play Collinsville in the first round. Collinsville, ranked #1 in 2A D2 at times this season, knocked the Plowboys out of the playoffs in the third round last year.
Haskell fell at home to Electra to miss out on the playoffs. A three-year playoff streak for the Indians comes to an end.
What a crazy week it was in District 6-1A Division I. Knox City lost a coin flip with Perrin-Whitt that served as a way to differentiate between two different tie-breakers in the district by-laws and thought they would miss the postseason after both the Pirates and Newcastle won Friday night. However, Perrin-Whitt self reported playing an ineligible player in their victory over Northside, and the Greyhounds are not only now in the playoffs but are the top seed from the district.
Westbrook has now won 21-district games in a row and four straight district titles thanks to a 75-46 win at Hermleigh. The hard-luck Cardinals very well may be the best team in six-man football to miss the playoffs this year and have missed the postseason with a winning record in each of the last three seasons.
Jonesboro got the best of May in a top-ten district title deciding showdown Friday. The Eagles have won a remarkable 15 district titles in a row. Now May has to face defending state champ and top-ranked Gordon in the first round of the playoffs.
Blackwell, Bronte, and Loraine all tied for the district title in 6-1A Division II, but only Blackwell and Loraine are playoff bound.
Aspermont took down Paint Creek 62-14 in a game moved to Aspermont because of bad field conditions at Paint Creek. The win gets the Hornets into the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Photo: Benjamin ISD
Benjamin has now won 18 in a row in district and clinched the District 7 crown with an easy 54-8 victory over Harrold.
Strawn won the district title in District 9, whipping up on Woodson 64-14 to claim the top seed headed into the postseason.
Zephyr claimed the District 13 title with a win over Gustine. The Bulldogs have won their district three years in a row, and now hope for their first playoff victory since 2017. Blanket returns to the postseason after missing out last year in their first season under Jalen Helms.
Richland Springs and Cherokee wrapped up perfect district runs. The Indians got a forfeit win over Calvert, who then forfeited to Richland Springs in the bi-district playoffs.
Three Way beat Morgan to wrap up a 9-1 season. The Braves are playoff bound for the first time in program history and have won as many games this season as they did the first five years of starting football.
Photo: Abilene Christian School
Abilene Christian finally got past Fort Worth Covenant Classical, beating the Cavaliers 56-52 at home to get into a three-way tie for the district title. The Panthers enter the playoffs as the three seed from the district, however.
FINAL SCORES
THURSDAY
Gordon 52, Gorman 0
Ira 63, Highland 26
Three Way 60, Morgan 6
Bronte 48, Olfen 0
Moran 1, Throckmorton 0 - Forfeit
Cherokee 1, Calvert 0 - Forfeit
FRIDAY
Wylie 28, Plainview 17
Cooper 44, Palo Duro 27
Big Spring 28, Pecos 21
Brownwood 42, Marble Falls 14
Stephenville 51, Burnet 7
Greenwood 62, Snyder 14
Seminole 50, Monahans 20
Graham 49, Eagle Mountain 3
Brock 56, Bridgeport 7
Mineral Wells 27, Burkburnett 17
Jim Ned 45, Sweetwater 28
Comanche 42, Clyde 14
Breckenridge 58, TLCA San Angelo 0
Wall 57, Stanton 7
Coahoma 42, Merkel 14
Dublin 36, Early 22
Tolar 35, Eastland 7
Brady 28, Clifton 0
Sonora 42, Colorado City 22
Stamford 38, Hawley 22
Cisco 47, Olney 6
Anson 55, TLCA Abilene 0
Hamilton 35, De Leon 28
Coleman 31, Bangs 16
Ballinger 27, Hico 26
Electra 33, Haskell 26
Windthorst 26, Petrolia 20
Archer City 38, Seymour 30
Miles 29, Roscoe 13
Cross Plains 28, Winters 20
Perrin-Whitt 56, Northside 6
Newcastle 54, Bryson 6
Westbrook 75, Hermleigh 46
Roby 40, Rotan 36
Jonesboro 60, May 30
Water Valley 62, Paint Rock 6
Lometa 66, Santa Anna 18
Aspermont 62, Paint Creek 14
Rule 64, Lueders-Avoca 0
Benjamin 54, Harrold 8
Crowell 46, Chillicothe 0
Blackwell 60, Trent 14
Blanket 43, Sidney 8
Zephyr 58, Gustine 6
Richland Springs 64, Lohn 0
Abilene Christian 56, FW Covenant 52
Lingleville 45, Ranger 18
Strawn 64, Woodson 14
THE UNDEFEATED - WEEK 11
Gordon, Jayton, and Stamford are our only three Big Country teams that finished the regular season with perfect records.
Hawley and May join the one-loss club after falling on Friday.
Hamliton, Spur, and Richland Springs wrapped up 10-0 seasons in the Big Country...And Beyond.
HONOR ROLL
The best individual performances of Week 11
11-MAN
Corey Layne, Anson: 16-19, 238 yds, 4 td passing; 41 yds, 1 td rushing; 3 tkl, 1 tfl
Ethan Lozano, Anson: 92 yds, 2 td rushing; 9 tkl
Malachi St. John, Anson: 2 rec, 55 yds, 2 td
Cade Strube, Ballinger: 10-20, 153 yds, 2 td, 2 int passing; 94 yds, 2 td rushing
Hunter Kresta, Ballinger: 4 rec, 114 yds, 2 td; 2 tkl, 1 int
Aiden Pena, Ballinger: 10 tkl
Carson Tidwell, Bangs: 13.5 tkl
Alijah Stark, Brady: 106 yds, 2 td rushing
Ashton Taylor, Brady: 125 yds, 1 td rushing
Johnny Roque, Brady: 13 tkl
Matthew Rodriguez, Browndwood: 132 yds, 1 td rushing; 1 rec, 14 yds
Levi Pearson, Brownwood: 108 yds, 2 td rushing
Dillon Silva, Cisco: 183 yds, 3 td rushing
Parker Williams, Cisco: 121 yds, 3 td rushing
Devan Wright, Clyde: 8-17, 63 yds, 1 td passing; 77 yds rushing
Blaine Bouldin, Coleman: 111 yds, 1 td rushing; 3 tkl
Hunter Edington, Coleman: 12-24,171 yds, 2 td, 1 int; 29 yds rushing
Paul Salas, Coleman: 14 tkl, 2 tfl
Brooks Clippinger, Coleman: 13 tkl, 1 tfl
Cutter Cody, Coleman: 14 tkl, 1 tfl
Easton Meador, Coleman: 10 tkl, 1 tfl
Cayden Davis, Comanche: 78 yds, 1 td rushing; 6-9, 229 yds, 5 td passing
Alex Terrell, Comanche: 3 rec, 143 yds, 3 td; 6 tkl
Badger Sanchez, Comanche: 12 tkl, 2 tfl, 1 sack, 1 pbu
Austin Cummins, Cooper: 10-15, 115 yds, 3 td passing; 58 yds, 1 td rushing
Zavian Alexander, Cooper: 4 rec, 34 yds, 2 td
Kade Purvis, Cross Plains: 5-8, 129 yds, 1 td passing; 71 yds, 2 td rushing; 9 tkl
Tyler Mackey, Cross Plains: 123 yds, 1 td rushing; 4 rec, 69 yds; 18 tkl
Jessey Bradford, Cross Plains: 17 tkl
Colt Sanderson, Cross Plains: 16 tkl
Cullin Ellis, Cross Plains: 13 tkl
Bryson Barron, Cross Plains: 12 tkl
Heston Jobe, De Leon: 19-31, 175 yds, 2 td, 3 int passing; 142 yds, 2 td rushing
Max Jones, De Leon: 6 rec, 81 yds, 1 td
Weston Barton, Early: 13-34, 318 yds, 3 td, 1 int; 2 yds rushing
Jaxson Stockman, Early: 3 rec, 117 yds
Luke Sanderson, Goldthwaite: 174 yds, 3 td rushing; 2 rec, 65 yds; 9 yds, 1 td passing
Landry Sanderson, Goldthwaite: 148 yds, 1 td rushing
Keagan Ables, Hawley: 20-41, 353 yds, 2 td, 1 int passing; 56 yds rushing; 6 tkl, 1 int
Camden Ables, Hawley: 7 rec, 212 yds, 1 td; 1 yd rushing; 2 tkl
Hunter Hudson, Hawley: 11 tkl, 1 tfl
Aiden Ellis, Jim Ned: 262 yds, 3 td rushing; 2 rec, 12 yds
Gray Beasley, Jim Ned: 9-12, 79 yds, 2 td passing; 83 yds, 1 td rushing
Rayson Houston, Merkel: 13 tkl
Liam Yancy, Miles: 20-27, 275 yds, 3 td passing
Cooper Ellison, Miles: 7 rec, 73 yds, 2 td
Devin Medina, Miles: 7 tkl, 2 tfl
Daenin Smith, Sndyer: 141 yds, 1 td rushing; 1-1, 12 yds passing; 1 rec, 12 yds; 1 tkl
Ethan Rios, Snyder: 5 rec, 128 yds, 1 td; 1 tkl
Caiden Ortiz, Sweetwater: 13-24, 270 yds, 4 td, 1 int; 26 yds rushing
Jose Quintero, Sweetwater: 3 rec, 141 yds, 1 td
Darwin Blueford, Sweetwater: 4 rec, 52 yds, 2 td
Braxton Bartee, Sweetwater: 20 tkl, 3 tfl
Korda Moore, Sweetwater: 19 tkl, 1 tkl
Landon Thompson, Sweetwater: 14 tkl
Jade Rodriquez, Sweetwater: 12 tkl
Kaston Vega, Stamford: 177 yds, 2 td rushing; 17 tkl, 3 tfl
Mahsyn Alvarado, Stamford: 18 tkl, 2 tfl, 1 sack
Alek Hernandez, Stamford: 12 tkl, 2 tfl, 1 int
Christian Duran, Stamford: 7-14, 123 yds, 1 td, 3 int; 86 yds, 2 td rushing
Cle Whitfield, Stamford: 91 yds, 1 td rushing; 1 rec, 8 yds
Drew Faulks, Stamford: 4 rec, 68 yds, 1 td
Bear Meng, Wylie: 226 yds, 2 td, 2 int; 7 yds, 1 td rushing
Jaden Lucero, Wylie: 69 yds, 1 td rushing
6-MAN
Pierson Walters, Abilene Christian: 21-35, 246 yds, 5 td passing; 205 yds, 2 td rushing
Brooks Armstrong, Abilene Christian: 9 rec, 95 yds, 3 td; 39 yds, 1 td rushing; 6 tkl, 1 int
Mateo Flores, Abilene Christian: 15 tkl
Keegan Hayes, Benjamin: 215 yds, 5 td rushing; 1-3, 42 yds, 1 td passing; 6 tkl, 1 int returned 70 yards for td
Will Piearce, Benjamin: 9 tkl
Everett Kates, Benjamin: 10 tkl; 1 rec, 42 yds, 1 td
Cameron Aultman, Blanket: 82 yds, 1 td rushing; 2-4, 59 yds, 1 td passing; 12 tkl, 1 fr
Kannon Kensing, Blanket: 74 yds, 1 td rushing; 12 tkl, 1 fr returned 38 yds for td
Brian Shannon, Blanket: 9 rec, 129 yds, 3 td; 5 tkl, 1 fr
Abel McGlaughlin, Blanket: 12 tkl, 2 sacks, 1 ff
Brayden Walter, Gordon: 46 yds, 1 td rushing; 1 rec, 32 yds, 1 td
Stryker Reed, Gordon: 27 yds, 1 td rushing; 1 rec, 30 yds, 1 td; 2-2, 72 yds, 1 td passing
Alex Wanderlich, Hermleigh: 120 yds, 2 td rushing; 18-29, 260 yds, 4 td passing
Gage Gibson, Hermleigh: 7 rec, 112 yds, 2 td
Hayden Simpson, Hermleigh: 17 tkl
Gage Gibson, Hermleigh: 14 tkl
Blake Bankhead, Highland: 40 yds, 1 td rushing; 0-1, 1 int passing; 2 rec, 41 yds; 4 tkl
Westen Byrne, Highland: 8 tkl; 15 yds, 1 td rushing
Brandt Cox, Ira: 165 yds, 5 td rushing
Ben Harrell, May: 141 yds, 1 td rushing; 4-13, 81 yds, 1 td, 1 int passing; 1 rec, 10 yds; 10 tkl
Mikey Scheriger, May: 17 tkl
Lane Goodson, May: 15 tkl; 3 rec, 38 yds
Kyleik Mason, Rule: 61 yds, 2 td passing; 45 yds, 1 td rushing; 2 tkl, 2 ff, 1 fr
William Perry, Santa Anna: 151 yds, 3 td rushing; 3 rec, 30 yds; 2 tkl
Wyatt Strickland, Santa Anna: 10 tkl, 6-10, 80 yds passing
Grayson Jeffrey, Westbrook: 334 yds, 8 td rushing; 2-5, 19 yds passing; 1 rec, 11 yds, 1 td; 6 tkl, 1 sack
Zach Avants, Westbrook: 12 tkl
Wyatt Stevens, Zephyr: 3-5, 60 yds, 2 td passing; 23 yds rushing; 10 tkl, 1 int
Reese Hamm, Zephyr: 62 yds, 2 td rushing; 2 tkl
Corben Gosnell, Zephyr: 5 tkl, 1 sack, 3 tfl; 1 rec, 7 yds
DISTRICT STANDINGS
NEXT WEEK
A look at who, when, and where Big Country football teams will be playing in the postseason.
5A DIVISION I
BI-DISTRICT
El Paso Parkland (3-7) at Abilene High (7-3) - Thursday, 6 p.m. - Shotwell Stadium
5A DIVISION II
BI-DISTRICT
Cooper (4-6) at El Paso Del Valle (10-0) - Thursday, 7 p.m.
El Paso Andress (5-5) at Wylie (8-1) - Friday, 6 p.m.
4A DIVISION I
BI-DISTRICT
Brownwood (5-4) vs. Big Spring (5-5) - Friday, 7 p.m. - San Angelo Stadium
Stephenville (9-1) vs. San Angelo Lake View - Friday, 7 p.m. - Shotwell Stadium
4A DIVISION II
BI-DISTRICT
Graham (9-1) vs. Fort Worth Dunbar (4-6) - Thursday, 7:30 p.m. - Aledo
Brock (9-1) vs. Godley (6-4) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Burleson ISD Stadium
3A DIVISION I
BI-DISTRICT
Jim Ned (7-3) vs. Iowa Park - Friday, 7 p.m. - Breckenridge
Sweetwater (6-4) vs. Vernon (7-3) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Graham
Comanche (7-3) vs. Peaster (8-2) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Graham
Clyde (4-6) vs. Paradise (8-2) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Granbury
3A DIVISION II
BI-DISTRICT
REGION I
Anthony (1-9) at Wall (9-1) - Friday, 6 p.m.
REGION II
Tolar (9-1) vs. Millsap (4-6) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Brewer Bear Stadium, Fort Worth
Brady (8-2) vs. Jacksboro (7-3) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Clyde
Clifton (6-4) vs. City View (8-2) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Mineral Wells
Dublin (2-8) vs. Holliday (8-2) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Springtown
2A DIVISION I
BI-DISTRICT
REGION I
Stamford (10-0) vs. Sonora (5-5) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Snyder
Hawley (9-1) vs. Ozona (7-3) - Friday , 6 p.m. - Colorado City
Anson (7-3) vs. Christoval (4-6) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Sweetwater
Cisco (6-4) vs. Reagan County (9-1) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Big Spring
REGION II
Hamilton (10-0) vs. Whitewright (7-3) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Clark Stadium, Fort Worth
De Leon (6-4) vs. Alvord (4-6) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Godley
Coleman (3-7) vs. Wolfe City (8-2) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Godley
Ballinger (5-5) vs. Tioga (8-2) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Boyd
REGION IV
San Saba (6-4) vs. Crawford (2-8) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Copperas Cove
2A DIVISION II
BI-DISTRICT
REGION II
Albany (7-2) vs. Era (5-5) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Mineral Wells
Miles (8-2) vs. Lindsay (7-3) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Brock
Roscoe (4-5) vs. Collinsville (9-1) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Breckenridge
Hamlin (6-3) vs. Muenster (8-2) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Jacksboro
REGION III
Goldthwaite (6-4) vs. Maud (6-4) - Friday, 7 p.m. Corsicana
1A DIVISION I
BI-DISTRICT
REGION II
Knox City (7-3) vs. Valley (4-6) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Chillicothe
Newcastle (6-4) vs. Spur (10-0) - Friday, 7:30 p.m. - Munday
Westbrook (8-2) vs. Robert Lee (7-3) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Irion County
Ira (7-3) vs. Water Valley (8-2) - Friday, 6:30 p.m. - Blackwell
REGION IV
Gordon (10-0) vs. May (9-1) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Dublin
Baird (7-3) vs. Jonesboro (8-1) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Hico
1A DIVISION II
BI-DISTRICT
REGION II
Blackwell (4-6) vs. Balmorhea (7-3) - Thursday, 6:30 p.m. - Rankin
Loraine (6-4) vs. Grandfalls-Royalty (7-3) - Friday, 8 p.m. - Garden City
Benjamin (7-1) at Aspermont (6-4) - Friday, 6:30 p.m.
Jayton (10-0) vs. Crowell (4-6) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Benjamin
REGION III
Strawn (7-2) vs. Fannindel (4-6) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Blum
Woodson (6-4) vs. Gold-Burg (6-4) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Bryson
Three Way (9-1) vs. Oakwood (5-5) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Abbott
REGION IV
Zephyr (9-1) vs. Evant (4-6) - Thursday, 6:30 p.m. - Goldthwaite
Blanket (8-1-1) vs. Oglesby (8-2) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Hico
Cherokee (9-1) vs. Rochelle (5-4) - Friday, 6:30 p.m. - Zephyr
Richland Springs (10-0) BYE
TAPPS DIVISION II
BI-DISTRICT
Abilene Christian (6-3) at Rockwall Heritage (9-0) - Friday, 7 p.m.
Photo: ACU Football
COLLEGE ROUNDUP
#15 ACU 35, Austin Peay 34
The Wildcats outlasted Austin Peay 35-34, scoring with just over three minutes to go on a Maverick McIvor to Jed Castles touchdown to keep their UAC title hopes allive.
#15 Wildcats rally for win; play for UAC title next week
NEXT: at Tarleton State - Saturday, 6 p.m.
UNITED ATHLETIC CONFERENCE STANDINGS
ACU 6-1, 7-3
Tarleton State 5-1, 8-2
Eastern Kentucky 4-2, 6-4
Southern Utah 4-2, 5-5
Central Arkansas 3-3, 6-4
Austin Peay 3-4, 4-6
North Alabama 3-4, 3-8
Utah Tech 1-5, 1-9
West Georgia 0-7, 3-7
Photo: Scott Burkhalter Photography
#5 Hardin-Simmons 27, Mary Hardin-Baylor 19
The Cowboys held off a late rally to beat the Crusaders for the second time this season and wrap up back-to-back ASC titles. HSU led 27-3 going into the fourth, but the Cru scored 16 in the final quarter and had the ball with a chance to tie. However, the Cowboy defense got the stop and the victory.
Cowboys Claim Second-Straight ASC Football Title
NEXT: at East Texas Baptist - Saturday, 1 p.m.
East Texas Baptist 38, Howard Payne 17
The Yellow Jackets fell to 0-5 in ASC play with a home loss to ETBU.
Korrodi records 2 interceptions for HPU in 38-17 loss to ETBU
NEXT: at Mary Hardin-Baylor - Saturday, 1 p.m.
AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE STANDINGS
Hardin-Simmons 5-0, 9-0
Mary Hardin-Baylor 3-2, 4-3
East Texas Baptist 2-3, 5-3
Howard Payne 0-5, 1-7
McMurry 28, Lyon College 0
The War Hawks improved to 6-1 in conference play with a road shutout of Lyon. McMurry can win at least a share of the SCAC title with a win over Centenary next week.
NEXT: vs. Centenary - Saturday, 12 p.m.
SOUTHERN COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE STANDINGS
Texas Lutheran 7-1, 8-1
McMurry 6-1, 6-3
Centenary 4-3, 4-5
Austin College 1-6, 1-8
Lyon 0-7, 1-8
Photo: Blinn Athletics
Cisco College 19, Blinn 11
The Wranglers knocked off the Bucs on the road to wrap up a bid to the SWJCFC semifinals.
Blinn's playoff push ends with home loss to Cisco in SWJCFC finale
NEXT: #3 Cisco at #2 Navarro - Saturday, 1 p.m.
Winner vs. #4 Kilgore at #1 Tyler for SWJCFC championship.
SWJCFC STANDINGS
Tyler 6-1, 6-3
Navarro 5-2, 6-2
Cisco 4-3, 4-4
Kilgore 4-3, 6-3
Trinity Valley 3-4, 5-4
Blinn 2-5, 4-5
