Week 2 Rewind
We may be getting an idea of how good some teams are this season, but there is still plenty of time to turn things around for those who have not found the win column yet.
I had the opportunity to see two games in Abilene, Brookesmith at TLCA Abilene on Thursday and the Big Country Granddaddy of ‘em all, the Crosstown Showdown on Friday. I came away impressed by the grit of a Brookesmith team that only suited up seven, the energy of head coach Jeremy Kirk as he lays the foundation for TLCA, the brother-to-brother passing connection of Abel and Anthony Ramirez on Abilene High, and the poise of young Cooper quarterback Chris Warren who led his team to a come from behind victory.
Shotwell Stadium while Abilene and Cooper were warming up.
BIG COUNTRY A TO Z
Abilene High looked to be in good shape with a 14-0 second quarter lead against Cooper, but the Cougars took command the rest of the way to claim their third straight victory in the Crosstown Showdown and extend their series lead to 36-24-1. Quarterback Chris Warren threw for 170 yards and ran for 121 more to lead the Cougar offense. Abel Ramirez threw for 177 and picked up 72 on the ground for the Eagles. Three turnovers for Abilene compared to the Coogs zero played a big role in the game.
Abilene Christian was off on Friday night.
Albany hit the field for the first time and lived up to their state ranking in a 48-21 win at Dublin. Albany led just 14-7 at the half, but outscored Dublin 21-0 in the third quarter and 34-14 the rest of the way to pull away for the win.
Anson found out that Coleman could be one of the best teams in the Big Country Friday night. The Bluecats rolled up 581 yards of total offense, 401 of those on the ground, to avenge a 2020 loss to the Tigers. Anson could not get the offense rolling in the loss. Ryland Gentry led the Bluecats with 170 yards rushing.
Aspermont is still looking for touchdown number one this season after playing two state-ranked foes. The Hornets fell to Jayton 45-0 and will head to unbeaten Benjamin on Friday night.
Baird had to to cancel their scheduled game against Hermleigh. They are scheduled to host Gordon Friday.
Ballinger also had to cancel. They were scheduled to play Breckenridge and will visit Colorado City this week.
Bangs fell to 0-2 with a 45-17 loss to Florence. The Buffaloes snapped a 15-game losing steak. The game was scoreless after one quarter, but Florence outscored the Dragons 31-8 in the second quarter. Guy Powell paced Bangs with 113 yards rushing. Five turnovers did the Dragons in.
Blackwell dropped to 0-2 with a 51-0 loss to Water Valley. The 1A Division I Wildcats were just too much for the Hornets, who have lost their first two games to bigger schools. They host rival Highland this week.
Blanket stayed unbeaten with a hard-fought 54-51 victory at Gustine. Brayden Day led the way with 185 yards and two touchdowns rushing, while Levi Vasquez scored three touchdowns on offense and picked off three passes on defense, one he returned for a touchdown.
Breckenridge scheduled a game against Bells on Thursday and lost to the Panthers 41-20 on Friday. The Buckaroos trailed 41-0 after three quarters and put all their points on the board in the fourth.
Brookesmith held off an energized TLCA Abilene squad 30-26 Thursday night. It is win number one for Todd Lawdermilk as head coach of the Mustangs. Tristen Slayton scored all four Brookesmith touchdowns. The Eagles, in just their second year of varsity football, scored more points than they ever have in a game, but came up shy of picking up their first win.
Brownwood led Midland Greenwood 13-0 at halftime, but ended up on the wrong end of a 21-20 decision. The Lions extended their advantage to 20-6 in the third quarter, but saw the Rangers score the final two touchdowns of the game to pick up the win.
Photo: Penney Photography
Cisco stayed perfect with a come from behind double overtime victory over Wall, who is two classifications larger than the 2A Division I Loboes. The Hawks jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but Cisco tied it at 14 in the fourth quarter and scored the only touchdown of the second overtime to secure the 27-21 win. Blitz cover athlete Dawson Hearne sealed the victory with an interception in the second OT. He also caught a touchdown pass.
Clyde showed some improvement but came up shy of getting their first win in a 24-6 loss at Idalou. Week one saw the Bullodgs fall to Cisco, 49-7.
Colorado City got to see the field Friday night for the first time in 2021, but dropped a 28-6 decision at Crane. The Wolves’ losing streak is up to 21 games.
Cross Plains left the offense at home, suffering a 27-0 road loss at Goldthwaite. The Buffaloes were held to just 139 yards of total offense in their first loss of the season.
Early flexed a little muscle to stay unbeaten, knocking off Tolar on the road 33-16. Tre Beam ran for 158 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
Eastland dropped a 52-7 decision at Holliday to fall to 0-2. It was the third matchup between the schools over the past year, with the Eagles now holding a 2-1 edge. Eastland turned the ball over six times , and their schedule doesn’t get any easier as they host Jim Ned on Friday night.
Photo: Gary Ford
Hamlin’s gauntlet of a schedule didn’t get any easier Friday, as state ranked Hawley pushed around the Pipers 62-0. The Bearcats led 42-0 at the half as they avenged a 35-6 home loss to Hamlin in 2020. Rodey Hooper threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more in the win.
Haskell could not keep the momentum from a season opening win over Quanah rolling as they fell at home 34-14 to Archer City.
Hermleigh hooked up with Avalon Friday night in a game scheduled not long before kickoff. The Cardinals cruised to a 71-26 victory to move to 2-0 on the season.
Highland ran into a buzzsaw at Roby as the Lions stayed perfect on the season, 63-26. The Lions are 2-0 under new head coach Matt Tarbutton.
Ira also had to reschedule this week and ended up road-tripping West to come away with a 46-43 victory over Buena Vista. The Bulldogs have played two very close games so far this season, the first being a 33-32 loss to Turkey Valley, and are now 1-1.
Jim Ned pulled way from 4A Sweetwater 56-14 in the home opener for the defending state champs. Xavier Wishert picked up 222 yards and four touchdowns on the ground, his second 200+ yard effort in as many games this season. Jim Ned led just 7-0 after one quarter, but extended the advantage to 28-7 by halftime and 49-14 after three quarters.
Loraine is off to a 2-0 start after a 68-22 win over Grady. The Bulldogs are averaging 80 points per game so far this season.
Lueders-Avoca has yet to play this season. They were scheduled to play Ira this week but had to cancel due to COVID.
May continued to roll in 2021 with a 104-80 win at Sterling City. The Tigers earned a bit of revenge after falling to the Eagles twice, once in the state title game, in 2020. May picked up 543 yards and saw quarterback Blake Harrell throw for seven touchdowns in the win. Kaden Halk caught four of the touchdowns. Look for May to be the new 1A Division I number one ranked team when the polls come out later today.
Merkel stayed perfect under head coach Will Kates with 19-0 shut out win at Stanton. The Badgers are 2-0 for the second straight season and have a tough test coming up Friday night at home against Hawley.
Moran is off to an 0-2 start after dropping its home opener to 1A Division I Evant, 51-6. The Bulldogs have another tough game coming up Friday at Rotan.
Paint Creek topped the Rochelle JV 32-14 to move to 2-0 in the Pirates first season of football since 2017. They’ll stay perfect at least one more week as they have a bye scheduled on Friday night.
Photo: Ranger Bulldog Athletics Facebook Page
Ranger earned the first win of many as a six-man program, taking care of Waco Eagle Christian 62-12 on Thursday night. The Bulldogs are 1-1 on the season and will play Lometa in their home opener this week.
Rising Star lost for the first time under Derek Stevens as they fell on the road at Santa Anna 60-8. The Mountaineers improve to 2-0 and will host Abilene Christian this week. Rising Star hosts Trent.
Rotan is still perfect after an easy 64-16 win over Woodson. The Yellowhammers led 52-16 at the half, not quite enough of an advantage for a mercy-rule win, but put two touchdowns on the board in the third quarter to end it. Zac Flores threw for six touchdown passes in the win, three to freshman Grayson Jeffrey and two to Jaxon Warren.
Roscoe picked up one of the bigger wins of the week as they ruined Stamford’s Homecoming, 37-26. The Plowboys even their mark at 1-1 and will have a good shot at putting together a winning streak as they visit Miles Friday night. Stamford will meet Rosebud-Lott in Weatherford, looking to bounce back from their first loss under head coach Britt Hart.
Photo: Rule ISD Athletics Facebook Page
Rule rolled past Vernon Northside 54-6 to get to 2-0 in 2021. The Bobcats avenged a 64-40 loss to Northside in 2020. They’ll head to Afton to battle Patton Springs this week.
Snyder is another one of the Big Country teams still unbeaten as they took care of Levelland 45-7. Snyder led 31-7 at the half of their home opener and never looked back. The Tigers have already equaled their win total from a 2-6 2020.
Photo: Trent Athletics Facebook Page
Trent earned an on-field win for the first time since beating West Texas Homeschool in October of 2016 with a thrilling 64-58 overtime win over Lohn. Head coach Chris Ellison said, “It’s awesome to snap the losing streak, our boys played hard on both sides the ball. I told them to enjoy this one. We have a tough young Rising Star team next week. Let’s chase another one.”
Westbrook got into the win column for the first time this season in a big way, taking out fourth-ranked Borden County 48-0. It is the Wildcats second straight victory over the Coyotes and drops them to 0-2 on the season.
Winters did not play this week due to a COVID shutdown.
Wylie bounced back in a big way from their week one loss at Burleson, taking down previously unbeaten Lubbock Monterey 30-22. The Bulldogs ran for 262 yards as both Josh Carpenter (143) and Trey Gomez (121) topped the century mark on the ground. The Bulldogs have beaten the Plainsmen in back-to-back seasons.
Zephyr fell to 0-2 on the season with a 31-12 loss to Veribest. The Bulldogs will visit Stephenville Faith Friday night.
STILL PERFECT
17 Big Country schools have won their first two games of the year.
biggest wins
1 — May 104, Sterling City 80: The Tigers got revenge in a big way, beating the defending champs on their home field.
2 — Coleman 33, Anson 6: The Bluecats prove they may be a force to be reckoned with in a big road win over a good Anson team.
3 — Roscoe 37, Stamford 26: The Plowboys are turning the corner on their rebuilding phase after this road victory over 2A Division I Stamford.
4 — Cooper 31, Abilene 14: The Coogs take a big step forward by scoring 31-unanswered to knock off their rivals.
5 — Ranger 62, Waco Eagle Christian 12: Win number one in the six-man ranks for Ranger
6 — Trent 64, Lohn 58 OT: The Gorillas get into the win column (on the field) for the first time under Chris Ellison and for the first time in nearly five years.
7 — Westbrook 48, Borden County 0: The Wildcats are beginning to prove their 2020 run wasn’t a fluke as they shut out a perennial state power.
8 — Wylie 30, Monterey 22: The Bulldogs get in the win column for the first time in 2021 ahead of the Southtown Showdown with Cooper.
UP NEXT
Vista Ridge at Abilene High
Cooper at Wylie
Brownwood at China Spring
Lamesa at Snyder
San Angelo Lake View at Sweetwater
Breckenridge at Cisco
Clyde vs Riesel in Dublin
Comanche at Early
Jim Ned at Eastland
Ballinger at Colorado City
Winters at Bangs
Hawley at Merkel
Dublin at Anson
Haskell at Cross Plains
Stamford vs Rosebud-Lott in Weatherford
Coleman at Brady
Albany at Hamlin
Roscoe at Miles
Aspermont at Benjamin
Hermleigh at Lueders-Avoca
Eden at Ira
Bronte at Roby
Moran at Rotan
Highland at Blackwell
Westbrook at Loraine
Gordon at Baird
Knox City at May
Abilene Christian at Santa Anna
Zephyr at Stephenville Faith
Panther Creek at TLCA Abilene
Trent at Rising Star
Rule at Patton Springs
Lingleville at Blanket
Evant at Brookesmith
DISTRICT STANDINGS
|
DISTRICT 2-6A |
Overall |
District |
|
Midland Legacy |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Odessa Permian |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
San Angelo Central |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Wolfforth Frenship |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Midland Legacy |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Odessa |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Abilene High |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 3-5A DIVISION I |
||
|
Arlington Heights |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Azle |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Brewer |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Cooper |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Granbury |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Northwest |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Saginaw |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Crowley |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 3-5A DIVISION II |
||
|
Canyon Randall |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lubbock Cooper |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Wichita Falls Rider |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Wylie |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Plainview |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
Wichita Falls |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 5-4A DIVISION I |
||
|
Midlothian Heritage |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Stephenville |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Waco La Vega |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Brownwood |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Alvarado |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
Waxahachie Life |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 1-4A DIVISION II |
||
|
Monahans |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Snyder |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Midland Greenwood |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Pecos |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Sweetwater |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 3-3A DIVISION I |
||
|
Early |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Jim Ned |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Breckenridge |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Wall |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Clyde |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
TLCA San Angelo |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 2-3A DIVISION II |
||
|
Brady |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Sonora |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Ballinger |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Bangs |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
Grape Creek |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
Ingram Moore |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 5-3A DIVISION II |
||
|
Merkel |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Dublin |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Jacksboro |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Millsap |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Comanche |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
Eastland |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 3-2A DIVISION I |
||
|
Forsan |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Hawley |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Anson |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Haskell |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Stamford |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Colorado City |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 4A-2A DIVISION I |
||
|
Cisco |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Coleman |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Goldthwaite |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Winters |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
De Leon |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
San Saba |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 5-2A DIVISION II |
||
|
Lockney |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Roscoe |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Crosbyton |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
Hamlin |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
Ralls |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 8-2A DIVISION II |
||
|
Santo |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Albany |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Cross Plains |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Hico |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Meridian |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 7-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Hermleigh |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Roby |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Rotan |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Ira |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Aspermont |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 8-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Bronte |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Highland |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Sterling City |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Westbrook |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Robert Lee |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 13-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
May |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Santa Anna |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Baird |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Gorman |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lingleville |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 15-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Evant |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Jonesboro |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lometa |
1-0 |
0-0 |
|
Zephyr |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 6-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Loraine |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Trent |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Blackwell |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
Olfen |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
TLCA Abilene |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 8-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Benjamin |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Rule |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Chillicothe |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Harrold |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 9-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Paint Creek |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Throckmorton |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lueders-Avoca |
0-0 |
0-0 |
|
Woodson |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Moran |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 15-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Blanket |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Rising Star |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Sidney |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Panther Creek |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Brookesmith |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 1-TAPPS 6M DIV. III |
||
|
Wichita Falls Christian |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lubbock All Saints |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Abilene Christian |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Lubbock Kingdom Prep |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Lubbock Christ the King |
0-2 |
0-0 |
College Round-Up
SMU 56, ACU 9
The Wildcats started 2021 with what they knew would be a tough contest at SMU. Oklahoma transfer Tanner Mordecai threw an SMU school-record seven touchdown passes to lead the Mustangs to victory. ACU will face Louisiana College in their home opener Saturday.
Hardin-Simmons 49, Wayland Baptist 0
The Cowboys started the season with an easy win over the Pioneers. Kyle Jones threw four first half touchdowns, and five total in the game, as HSU led 14-0 after one and 35-0 at the half. Hardin-Simmons travels to Sul Ross State for the American Southwest Conference opener Saturday.
Howard Payne 43, Texas Lutheran 17
HPU rolled up 693 yards of total offense in a season opening win over Texas Lutheran. The Yellow Jackets fell behind 3-0 but scored the next 20 points on their way to a 33-10 halftime lead. Howard Payne hits the road to face McMurry Saturday at 1 p.m. The War Hawks did not play their scheduled season opener against Trinity due to COVID.
Navarro 35, Cisco 14
The defending SWJCFC champs fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter and could not catch up in a season opening non-conference loss to Navarro. The Bulldogs ran for 319 yards and limited the Wranglers to 113 in the win. Cisco is back home Saturday at 7 p.m. to host RPA College.
That does it for an entertaining week two on the gridiron. Look for Blitz Picks on Thursday to get you ready for week three.
