Week 12 Rewind/Playoff Pairings
About half of the area teams previewed in Big Country Blitz did not make the playoffs, so we will shift away from the Big Country A to Z format we’ve done this season and recap each game.
6A DIVISION II
EL PASO EASTWOOD 31, ABILENE HIGH 27
The Troopers pulled off one of the upsets of the first round with their win on the road over the Eagles, who finish the season with a 7-4 record. Abilene High turned the ball over three times, turned it over on downs at the Eastwood one-yard line and missed three extra points in the loss. Eastwood quarterback Andrew Martinez did more than enough to lead his team to victory — throwing for 390 yards and a touchdown and running for three more scores. Curtis Murillo proved to be a tough cover for the Eagle secondary, he caught 8 passes for 193 yards and a touchdown. Abilene High rallied from a 20-6 halftime deficit to take a 25-23 lead in the fourth on a Da’King Thomas 54-yard touchdown run, but saw the Troopers answer and Martinez score from three-yards out with 1:26 to play to put Eastwood ahead for good. Murillo picked off Abel Ramirez on the Eagles final drive to seal the victory. Thomas ran for 176 yards in his Abilene High finale, wrapping up an excellent season with 1,338 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. Eastwood advances to the area round to face Saginaw Boswell Friday in Lubbock.
(Side note: Thank you to Chuck Statler for having me on as the color commentator for Eagle football this year. I had a blast! It was really the first time I’ve ever done any sort of media work with just one team for a whole season and I really enjoyed watching Abilene High players develop and get better throughout the year.)
5A DIVISION I
COLLEYVILLE HERITAGE 63, COOPER 21
The Cougars dug a 14-0 hole and could never climb out, falling to the #4 Panthers to wrap up the 2021 season. Cooper lost starting quarterback Chris Warren to injury in the first quarter and could not recover. Caleb Kasongo returned an interception 93-yards to get the Coogs within 14-7 and then Cooper got the ball back, but Jordan Springer picked off freshman Keegan Anderson and returned it for a ten-yard touchdown to put the Panthers back up by two scores on their way to the win. All four teams from Cooper’s district, 3-5A Division I, lost on Friday night. Heritage moves on to face Amarillo in the area round. Cooper wraps up the 2021 season with a 6-5 record.
4A DIVISION I
KENNEDALE 37, BROWNWOOD 7
Kennedale ended Brownwood’s season for the second straight year with a 37-7 victory Friday night in Glen Rose. Like last week against Stephenville, the Lions scored first, but saw Kennedale answer with 37 straight. Konlyn Anderson punched it in from a yard out to give Brownwood the early lead, but the Wildcats quickly pulled even and pushed the lead to 17-7 by halftime. The Lions could only muster 157 yards of total offense on the night, and three interceptions did not help their cause. Kennedale ran for 342 yards and only threw three passes on the night. Konlyn Anderson ended a great junior season with a 94 yard effort. He racked up 1,882 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns in 2021. Brownwood finishes the year with a 4-7 mark, while Kennedale advances to meet Argyle in the second round.
Photo: Brownwoodnews.com
4A DIVISION II
SWEETWATER 50, BORGER 15
The Mustangs started their playoff push with an easy victory over Borger. Sweetwater only led 7-0 after one but put three second quarter touchdowns on the board to go up 28-0 by the half. The Mustangs improve to 8-3 and will meet Aubrey in the area round of the playoffs.
Photo: Kevin Wright Photo & Design
SNYDER 31, SEMINOLE 0
Snyder marches on in the playoffs courtesy of a shutout victory over Seminole — the first postseason for the program since 2013. The Tigers led just 7-0 at halftime but added to their advantage with two third quarter touchdowns to lead 21-0 after three. Snyder is now 8-3 and moves on to face Graham in the area round.
3A DIVISION I
JIM NED 49, PEASTER 12
The Indians made it 25 wins in a row, pasting Peaster 49-12. The Indians used four Xavier Wishert touchdowns to build a 35-0 lead and led 42-0 before Peaster go on the board late in the third quarter. Wishert ran for 132 yards, Tate Yardley threw for 178 and Blaine Palmer returned an interception for a touchdown to lead the way. Brayden Shipman and Davis Soben added touchdown runs in the second half. The Indians move to 11-0 and will take on Muleshoe in the area round of the playoffs.
Photo: Jim Ned Sports Nation
WHITESBORO 56, BRECKENRIDGE 14
The Buckaroos fell behind 22-0 in the first quarter and could not fully recover in their season ending loss. Breckenridge pulled as close as 22-14 by the end of the first quarter but the Bearcats kept them off the scoreboard from then on to improve to 7-4. The Bucks wrap up the year with a 4-7 mark and have not won a playoff game since 2016. Whitesboro will meet Bushland in the second round.
EARLY 43, PILOT POINT 21
The Longhorns landed their first playoff victory since 2007 with a 43-21 upset win over Pilot Point. Early scored, well, early and often, jumping out to 29-0 first quarter lead on the way to the win. Two of those touchdowns were on defense, as John-Stewart Gordon returned an interception and Tre Beam returned a fumble. Bream ran for 214 yards and Jaxyn Price threw for 118 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Early attack. The Longhorns improve to 9-2 and get set to face Shallowater in the area round.
Photo: Brownwoodnews.com
3A DIVISION II
BALLINGER 35, CRANE 34
The Bearcats proved that sometimes four teams from the same district really do deserve to be in the playoffs with their 35-34 win over District 1 champion Crane. The Bearcats led 7-0 after one but fell behind 20-14 by halftime. The teams battled back and forth in the second half and Zack Canada scored what proved to be the game winning touchdown on a five-yard run with 8:30 left in the game. Nathan McDuffee picked off a pass in the end zone in the final minutes to seal the upset win for the Bearcats. McDuffee also ran for 100 yards and Carter Arrott ran for 114 and threw for 81 more in the win. Ballinger improves to 6-4 and will meet Abernathy in the area round.
Photo: Chad McDuffee/Ballingernews.com
EASTLAND 42, CITY VIEW 21
The Mavericks led 14-7 at the end of the first quarter and never looked back on their way to a 42-21 bi-district victory. Eastland has now won at least one playoff game in ten of the last 11 seasons. Keaton Hicks led the charge, throwing for 288 yards and four touchdowns and running for 77 yards and two more scores. The Mavericks improve to 6-5 and will face Bells in the area round.
2A DIVISION I
HAWLEY 56, SAN SABA 9
Hawley (11-0) kept up its winning ways with 56-9 bi-district victory over San Saba Thursday night in Brownwood. The Bearcats led 21-0 at the end of one quarter and cruised to the win to move on to the area round. Austin Cumpton ran for five touchdowns and the always stout Bearcat defense held San Saba to under 100 yards on the night. Hawley will now face Sundown in the area round — the fourth straight season they’ve met the Roughnecks in the playoffs (Hawley won in 2020 and 2019 and lost in overtime in 2018).
Photo: Alexander Garza
COLEMAN 62, ANSON 12
Coleman beat Anson for a second time in 2021, knocking the Tigers out of the playoffs Thursday night 62-12. Coleman scored first, but Anson quickly answered to cut the deficit to 7-6 in the first quarter. However, it was all Bluecats from there as they scored the next 35 points to build a 42-6 lead early in the third quarter. Sophomore quarterback Jadin Jackson ran for four touchdowns to pace the Coleman offense. Anson finishes the year with a 4-7 record.
CISCO 55, HASKELL 28
The Loboes jumped on the Indians early and cruised to a bi-district victory. Cisco led 34-0 by the end of the first quarter and 41-0 before Haskell got on the board midway through the second quarter. Dawson Hearne caught four passes on the night, three that went for touchdowns, and Trenton Huston racked up 194 yards and three scores of his own. The Loboes advance to face Panhandle in the next round.
Photo: Gary Stennett
2A DIVISION II
ROSCOE 38, QUANAH 16
Roscoe got off to a slow start but pulled away from Quanah to win its first playoff game since 2016. The Indians led it 9-0 after one, but Roscoe answered with a pair of second quarter touchdowns to go ahead for good at 14-9. Quanah kept it close, scoring on the first play of the fourth quarter to pull within 22-16, but that was as close as they could get. The Plowboys added a pair of touchdowns with two-point conversions to give the game its final score. Roscoe has won ten straight and improves to 10-1, while Quanah ends the year 2-9.
Photo: Kevin Wright Photo # Design
ALBANY 68, ERA 0
As expected, Albany crushed Era to win its 19th straight bi-district game. The Lions led 20-0 by the end of the first and extended to a 48-0 lead by halftime. Jaheim Newton ran for three touchdowns and Cole Chapman threw four touchdown passes and ran for another in the win. The Lions improve to 10-0, while Era finishes the year 2-9.
Photo: Angela Farmer
MUENSTER 56, CROSS PLAINS 7
The Buffaloes hung around with the second-ranked Hornets but could not pull off the upset. Muenster jumped out to a 14-0 lead but Cross Plains narrowed the gap to 14-7 on a pick-six by Cason Allen. That would be the Buffs only score of the night, as the Hornets extended to a 28-7 lead at the half and held on for the win. Cross Plains ends the season at 5-5, while Muenster moves on at 11-0.
1A DIVISION I
STERLING CITY 56, HERMLEIGH 42
The Cardinals saw their dream season come to an end at the hands of the defending state champs Thursday night. Hermleigh’s only loss of the season knocks them out of the playoffs. The Cardinals kept it close throughout, leading 28-24 late in the second quarter, but Sterling City scored twice before the half to take a lead they’d never give up.
WESTBROOK 64, IRA 14
The Wildcats knocked the Bulldogs out of the playoffs for the second straight season, this time 64-14 in a game that was over at the half to improve to 7-4. Westbrook rolled from the start, jumping out to a 40-0 lead in the first quarter before Ira got on the board with Cody McCowen touchdown run from 48-yards out. Jimmy Roberts ran for three touchdowns to pace the Wildcat attack. The Bulldogs see another great season end with a 7-3 mark. Westbrook moves on to face Rankin.
Photo: Jessie Limones
MAY 68, IRION COUNTY 20
The Tigers pulled away from Irion County and beat the Hornets in the bi-district round for a second straight season. May led just 22-20 late in the first quarter but scored the next 46 points to finish off Irion County by halftime. Avery Williford led the Tiger attack with five touchdowns: two rushing, two receiving and another on a kickoff return. Now the #1 Tigers get ready to face #2 Jonesboro for the second consecutive season in the area round. May knocked off the Eagles 62-16 in the second round last season.
Photo: Derrick Stuckly/Brownwoodnews.com
1A DIVISION II
LORAINE 68, SANDERSON 28
The Bulldogs move on in the postseason thanks to a lopsided win over Sanderson. The game was close through the first half into the third quarter, where Loraine led 30-22, but they shifted into high gear and pulled away from there to pick up the programs first playoff victory in seven years. AJ Williams and Davion Walthall had big games once again — Williams ran for 146 yards and three touchdowns and threw for another and Walthall ran for 194 and four touchdowns. The Bulldogs improve to 8-3 and will face Jayton in the area round.
Photo: Lydia Popham
BALMORHEA 60, BLACKWELL 14
Defending state champion Balmorhea knocked Blackwell out of the playoffs Friday night. The Hornets end their season with 4-7 record. They failed to win a playoff game for the first time since they didn’t qualify for the postseason in 2016. The Bears (9-1) move on to face #1 Motley County next week.
MOTLEY COUNTY 52, RULE 6
The Bobcats first playoff game since 2016 only lasted until the half as top-ranked Motley County advanced with a 52-6 victory. Motley County jumped out to a 44-6 by the end of the first quarter and cruised to the win. Rule wraps up the season with a 5-4 record.
Lueders-Avoca (3-5) vs Gold-Burg (8-2) - Friday, 7:30 p.m. - Woodson
GOLD-BURG 59, LUEDERS-AVOCA 14
The Raiders three-game winning streak came to an end with their bi-district playoff loss to Gold-Burg. Lueders-Avoca has made the playoffs three straight seasons but lost in the first round all three years. Gold-Burg will meet Gordon in the area round.
Photo: Roger Niehaus
CHEROKEE 51, BLANKET 6
The Tigers season came to an end at the hands of the Cherokee Indians Thursday night. Cherokee jumped out to a 24-0 lead and the Tigers could not catch up. Levi Vasquez scored their only touchdown as Blanket ends a great season with a 9-2 record. Cherokee (7-3) will face Oakwood in the second round of the playoffs.
TAPPS 6-MAN DIVISION III
Abilene Christian (5-4) at Fort Worth Covenant Classical (8-2) - Saturday, 1 p.m. - Fort Worth
FORT WORTH COVENANT CLASSICAL 50, ABILENE CHRISTIAN 0
The Panthers saw their season come to an end at the hands of a very good Fort Worth Covenant Classical squad Saturday afternoon. Abilene Christian wraps up the year with a 5-5 record in their first season under head coach Daren Miller, FWCC moves on to face Longview Christian Heritage in the state quarterfinals.
Photo: Abilene Christian School
Six-Man Independent Bowl
RANGER 36, TYLER HEAT 7
The Bulldogs ended the season with their fifth straight victory, knocking off Tyler Heat 36-7 in the Texas Six-Man Independent Bowl Series in Baird. Ranger started the season 1-4 but won their final five to end a very successful first season in six-man ball with a 6-4 record.
Photo: Eastland County Today
BIGGEST WINS
1 - Early 43, Pilot Point 21: The Longhorns snap a 14-year playoff win drought with an upset win.
2 - Ballinger 35, Crane 34: The Bearcats rally past district champion Crane.
3 - Ranger 36, Tyler Heat 7: The Bulldogs end their first six-man season on a high note.
4 - Coleman 62, Anson 12: The Bluecats knock off the Tigers for the second time this season and pick up their first playoff win in five years.
5 - Jim Ned 49, Peaster 12: The 2020-2021 Indians are now one of only 99 teams in Texas high school football history that have won 25 games in a row.
UP NEXT - AREA PLAYOFF PAIRINGS
4A DIVISION II
Sweetwater (8-3) vs Aubrey (10-1) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Stephenville
Snyder (8-3) vs Graham (7-3) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Shotwell Stadium, Abilene
3A DIVISION I
Jim Ned (11-0) vs Muleshoe (6-5) - Friday, 3:30 p.m. - Lowrey Field, Lubbock
Early (9-2) vs Shallowater (9-2) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Clyde
3A DIVISION II
Ballinger (6-5) vs Abernathy (10-1) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Andrews
Eastland (6-5) vs Bells (8-3) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Boyd
2A DIVISION I
Hawley (11-0) vs Sundown (8-3) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Big Spring
Coleman (10-0) vs Post (5-6) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Colorado City
Cisco (9-2) vs Panhandle (6-5) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Vernon
2A DIVISION II
Roscoe (10-1) vs Santo (10-1) - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Cisco
Albany (10-0) vs Olney - Thursday, 7 p.m. - Graham
1A DIVISION I
Westbrook (7-4) vs Rankin (10-1) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Garden City
May (11-0) vs Jonesboro (11-0) - Thursday , 6:30 p.m. - Dublin
1A DIVISION II
Loraine (8-3) vs Jayton (10-1) - Friday, 7 p.m. - Trent
Throckmorton (11-0) vs Strawn (11-0) - Friday, 6 p.m. - Springtown
COLLEGE ROUND-UP
ACU 29, TARLETON 3
The Wildcats snapped a two-game skid with a 29-3 home win over Tarleton Saturday afternoon. ACU spotted the Texans three points before scoring the next 29. Sweetwater native Kobe Clark caught 11 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown to become just the third ACU receiver with 200 or more catches in a career. The Wildcats now get set for their season finale against top-ranked and defending national champion Sam Houston State.
#8 HARDIN-SIMMONS 65, TEXAS LUTHERAN 0
The Cowboys got the statement win they needed to help convince the playoff committee they were worthy of an at-large bid into the tournament. HSU outgained TLU 589 to 146 and led 23-0 after one quarter and 37-0 by the half. The playoff committee apparently did not feel the Cowboys did enough as they did not give them a tournament bid. Hardin-Simmons finishes in the top ten in the national rankings but misses out on the postseason. They finish the regular season 9-1.
HOWARD PAYNE 49, AUSTIN COLLEGE 21
The Yellow Jackets wrapped up their season with a 49-21 victory over Austin College. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak and gave them their best record since 2005. HPU led 28-0 at the half and pushed the lead to 35-0 in the third before the Kangaroos scored. Landon McKinney threw for 397 yards and five touchdowns and Jake Parker ended his great HPU career with seven grabs for 162 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
#2 MARY HARDIN-BAYLOR 77, MCMURRY 3
The ASC champion Crusaders scored early and often to wrap up a perfect regular season with a win at McMurry. The War Hawks fell behind 28-0 after one and 49-0 at the half and avoided the shut out with a 23-yard Jared Mendoza field goal in the fourth quarter. The Cru ran for 300 yards and racked up 546 total yards on the day to the War Hawks 180. McMurry finishes the year with a 2-7 record.
CONFERENCE STANDINGS
Final standings for the ASC and SWJCFC
|
ASUN-WAC CHALLENGE |
Conf |
Overall |
|
Sam Houston State |
5-0 |
9-0 |
|
Stephen F. Austin |
3-2 |
7-3 |
|
Eastern Kentucky |
3-2 |
6-4 |
|
Jacksonville State |
3-2 |
5-5 |
|
Central Arkansas |
3-3 |
5-5 |
|
Abilene Christian |
1-4 |
5-5 |
|
Lamar |
0-5 |
1-8 |
|
AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE |
Conf |
Overall |
|
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
9-0 |
10-0 |
|
Hardin-Simmons |
8-1 |
9-1 |
|
Belhaven |
6-3 |
7-3 |
|
Howard Payne |
6-3 |
7-3 |
|
East Texas Baptist |
4-4 |
5-5 |
|
Southwestern |
4-5 |
4-6 |
|
Texas Lutheran |
3-6 |
3-7 |
|
McMurry |
2-7 |
2-7 |
|
Sul Ross State |
2-7 |
2-7 |
|
Austin College |
1-8 |
1-8 |
|
SWJCFC |
Conf |
Overall |
|
NMMI |
6-1 |
8-1 |
|
Tyler |
4-3 |
5-4 |
|
Kilgore |
4-3 |
5-4 |
|
Blinn |
3-3 |
5-4 |
|
Navarro |
3-4 |
5-4 |
|
Trinity Valley |
3-4 |
5-4 |
|
Cisco |
3-4 |
4-5 |
|
NE Oklahoma A&M |
1-5 |
4-5 |
