Week 3 Rewind
We are now three weeks deep into the 2021 high school football season and starting to pick up some trends. Some teams are off to great starts, some teams aren’t happy with how things are going, but all teams know they have plenty of work to do to have the kind of season they hoped they would when practice started back in August.
Abilene High hits the field before their game against Vista Ridge
BIG COUNTRY A TO Z
Abilene High (1-2) got into the win column with a come from behind victory over Cedar Park Vista Ridge. The Eagles fell behind 19-2 in the second quarter but dug deep to stay in the game and pull out a 23-19 victory. Senior Abel Ramirez led the way with a team high 86 yards and two touchdowns rushing to go along with 227 yards and another touchdown passing. The Eagles outgained the Rangers 410-263, and, despite a rough second quarter, turned in their best defensive performance to date. Abilene High hits the road again next week to play the 1-2 Grand Prairie Gophers.
Abilene Christian (0-2) returned to action and saw similar results to a week one loss at Loraine in their week three loss at Santa Anna (3-0) as they scored a lot of points, but also gave up a lot of points. The Mountaineers outpaced the Panthers 84-46 to stay perfect on the season, while ACS is still searching for win number one for new head coach Daren Miller. They’ll meet Fannindel in Strawn next Friday night, while Santa Anna is set for their first road game of the season at Brookesmith.
Albany QB Cole Chapman (Photo: Gary Ford)
Albany (2-0) lived up to their state ranking with a 50-0 win at Hamlin (0-3), avenging a 42-6 loss they suffered to the Pipers in 2020. The Lions jumped out to a big early lead and kept Hamlin off the scoreboard the entire night. Hamlin has been shut out two weeks in a row and will visit Anson next week, while Albany will host Haskell in the Lions’ home opener.
Anson (1-2) dropped a second straight ballgame at home, this time 21-14 to Dublin. The Tigers open the season with four straight home games and hope to earn a split when they welcome Hamlin to town next Friday night.
Aspermont (0-3) continues to have a rough go of it against very good competition, falling to Benjamin Friday night 60-14. The Hornets three opponents so far, Follett, Jayton and Benjamin, are a combined 9-0 so far this year with seven of those victories coming via 45-point mercy rule. Aspermont will have a better shot at getting into the win column as they host Lueders-Avoca next week.
Baird (2-0) returned to action and earned an impressive victory over Gordon, 37-32. Gordon was the #12 team in the sixmanfootball.com 1A Division II rankings and a nice feather in the cap for the Bears, who hit the road to Chillicothe to try to stay undefeated next week.
Ballinger (1-1) also got back on the field after a COVID cancellation week and picked up win number one of the season, 27-0 over Colorado City (0-2). The Bearcats travel to Clyde next week, while the Wolves head to Coahoma looking to snap their 22-game losing streak.
Bangs (0-2) did not play this week. The Dragons had to cancel their schedule game against Winters but hope to return to the field Friday night at Hamilton.
Blackwell (0-3) battled well against a bigger school once again, but came up shy of beating rival Highland (2-1). Highland won the battle of Hornets 61-34, their second straight victory in the series. The schedule doesn’t lighten up for Blackwell with Throckmorton coming to town Friday. Highland will finally play at home, hosting Loraine.
Blanket (2-1) fell from the ranks of the unbeaten, dropping a 60-12 decision at home to 1A Division I Lingleville. The Tigers have another D1 opponent on the horizon as they are set to visit Zephyr Friday night.
Breckenridge (1-2) bounced back from a loss to Bells, but could not quite get over the hump against state ranked Cisco (3-0). The Loboes pulled off their second consecutive overtime victory against a team from District 3-3A Division I, beating the Bucks 28-27 last night and Wall 27-21 the week before. Breckenridge came from 20-6 down in the fourth quarter and tied the game at 20 with a touchdown and two-point conversion with 2:28 to play. They scored first in OT, but the Loboes answered and converted on a two-point try for the win to end it. Cisco visits Jim Ned Friday, while the ever improving Buckaroos will head to Eastland.
Brookesmith dropped a 56-6 decision to 1A Division I Evant at home Friday night. The Mustangs host another bigger school, Santa Anna, on Friday.
Brownwood (1-2) dropped a second straight decision, this time 57-21 at China Spring. The Cougars, the #5 team in 4A Division II, jumped out to a 29-0 second quarter lead and never looked back. Lion running back Konyln Anderson continued his strong season, however, running for 146 yards to pace the Brownwood rushing attack. The Lions will host 0-2 Burnet this week.
Clyde (0-3) continues to take on all-comers and fell at second-ranked and reigning 2A Division II state champ Windthorst Friday night 52-7. The Bulldogs hope to find the win column for the first time when they host Ballinger Friday.
Coleman (2-0) did not get to play this week. Brady had to cancel and the Bluecats were not able to pick up a replacement game. They’ll host Grape Creek this week.
Cooper came from behind for a second straight week, winning the Southtown Showdown at Wylie (1-2) 30-24. The Bulldogs led 17-10 at the half but saw the Cougars outscore them 17-0 in the third quarter and hold on for the win. Chris Warren led the Coogs with 76 yards and two scores rushing and added 166 yards through the air. The Cougar defense limited the very good Wylie rushing attack to just 21 yards on 21 carries. Cooper now has back-to-back comeback wins after rallying from 14-0 to beat Abilene High 31-14 in week two. They’ll start district play this week at 1-2 Justin Northwest. Wylie heads to 3-0 Stephenville for more non-district action.
Cross Plains (2-1) returned to the win column with 28-7 home win over Haskell (1-2). The Buffaloes led 14-0 at the break and saw Haskell pull within a score in the third quarter before putting two more touchdowns on the board in the fourth quarter to put it way. The Buffs visit De Leon Friday, while Haskell heads to Albany.
Early (3-0) kept truckin’ with a dominating 58-14 win over Comanche. Jaxyn Price continued his hot start to the season, throwing for 197 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Longhorns to the win. Early hosts Merkel Friday night.
Eastland (0-3) saw #1 Jim Ned (3-0) jump out to a 21-0 halftime lead and could not recover. The Indians pushed the advantage to 34-0 in the third before the Mavericks got on the board. Xavier Wishert only ran the ball seven times but picked up 112 yards and scored twice. The Mavericks have another tough game this week at home against Breckenridge, while Jim Ned gets set for their biggest test so far against Cisco.
Hawley (3-0) won a battle of unbeatens at Merkel (2-1) 41-7. The Bearcats led 15-0 at the half and added on four more scores in the second half to pull away for the win. It is the first loss for Merkel under Will Kates, and the Badgers will try to regroup with another tough game at Early next week. Hawley will finally play its home opener when they welcome Winters to town.
Hermleigh (3-0) is also still perfect on the season after a 50-0 win at Lueders-Avoca (0-1). The Raiders were making their 2021 debut after seeing two games canceled and will head to Aspermont this week for another game against a 1A Division I opponent. The Cardinals have won their three games this season by a combined 172-32 and hope to keep things rolling at 1-2 Robert Lee Friday night.
Ira (1-1) did not get to play this week as their game against Eden was canceled. The Bulldogs head to winless Knox City Friday night.
Loraine (2-1) lost for the first time this season, falling to 1A Division I #4 Westbrook (2-1) 57-6. The Wildcats have put together back-to-back impressive victories over Loraine and Borden County after a season opening loss to 1A Division I #1 Motley County. Loraine will play another big school Friday at Highland. Westbrook will play at home against unbeaten Water Valley.
May (3-0) will keep its #1 ranking in 1A Division I after a 65-16 win over Knox City Friday night. The Tigers led 46-16 at the half and ended the game early in the fourth quarter by mercy rule. May will travel to Evant on Friday night.
Moran (0-3) dropped its third in a row to begin 2021 as Rotan (3-0) stayed perfect with a 50-0 victory. The Yellowhammers have cruised to wins this season by a combined 154-22, while the Bulldogs have had a rougher go of it, dropping their games 159-12. Moran hosts Mullin Friday, while Rotan stays home to host Veribest.
Paint Creek (2-0) was off this week and will host 0-2 Lohn on Saturday.
Ranger (1-2) lost its first six-man home game to Lometa 64-18. The Bulldogs trailed 22-6 after one quarter and 40-18 at the half before Lometa ended the game by “45” early in the fourth quarter. Ranger will play host to Gold-Burg Friday.
Rising Star (2-1) got the best of Trent (1-2) on their home field on Saturday 64-13. The Panthers have won two of their first three games under Derek Stevens and host Three Way this week. Trent returns home to face Paint Rock.
Roby (3-0) is still unbeaten under new head coach Matt Tarbutton after the Lions rolled past Bronte 46-0. The Lions will host fellow unbeaten Rule this Friday night.
Roscoe (2-1) is on a winning streak for the first time since 2018 after their 43-24 win at Miles Friday night. The Plowboys led 28-6 at the half and saw Miles pull as close as eight points in the second half before pulling away down the stretch to pick up the victory. Roscoe hosts unbeaten Christoval in what should be a good contest Friday night.
Rule (3-0) outgunned Patton Springs 91-60 on Friday night to keep the perfect season going. The Bobcats jumped out to an 18-0 lead early and pushed it to 46-20 at the half. The game went the full four quarters. Rule visits Roby in a battle of unbeatens Friday night.
Snyder (3-0) stayed hot to kick off the new year with a 55-0 shut out win over previously unbeaten Lamesa. The Tigers scored early and often and had the game put away up 41-0 at the half. The Tigers have outscored their opponents 129-15 so far this season and will head to San Angelo Lake View this week.
Stamford (1-2) dropped a second straight ballgame, falling to Rosebud-Lott 40-14 in Weatherford. The Bulldogs were only down 21-14 at the half, but could not score in the final two quarters while watching the Cougars pull away. Stamford will meet winless Sudan Friday night in Post.
Photo: Kevin Wright Photo and Design
Sweetwater (1-2) earned victory number 700 in program history, and number one for Russell Lucas as the head Mustang, with a 47-20 win over Lake View at the Mustang Bowl. Sweetwater is just the 19th program in Texas high school football history to reach the 700 win club. Leo Holsey threw a pair of touchdown passes and ran for another to lead the Mustangs to their first victory of the season after a pair of tough losses to Stephenville and Jim Ned. Sweetwater will host 1-2 Boerne Friday night.
TLCA Abilene (0-3) fell at home to Panther Creek to 51-34. The Eagles once again scored a program high in the points department but could not get enough defensive stops to pick up their first win. They will host Midland TLCA this week.
Winters (0-2) returned to action but could not find the win column in a 27-13 loss to Crane. The Blizzards were scheduled to face Bangs, but the Dragons had to cancel. Winters has another tough game up next on the schedule at Hawley.
Zephyr (0-3) could not keep up with Stephenville Faith Friday night, falling to the Knights on the road 65-19. The Bulldogs hope to bounce back Friday night against Blanket.
STILL PERFECT
15 area schools have picked up victories in their first three games of the season.
BIGGEST WINS
1 - Cooper 30, Wylie 24: The comeback Cougars clinch the Abilene city championship with a pair of come from behind wins.
2 - Abilene High 23, Vista Ridge 19: The Eagles come from 17 points down to earn their first victory of the season.
3 - Hawley 41, Merkel 7: The Bearcats stay perfect with a road win over a bigger school.
4 - Baird 37, Gordon 32: The Bears hold off a very good Gordon team to keep their perfect record intact.
5 - Snyder 55, Lamesa 0: The Tigers beat down previously unbeaten Lamesa to get to 3-0.
6 - Sweetwater 47, Lake View 20: Win #700 for the Mustangs.
UP NEXT
Abilene High at Grand Prairie
Cooper at Justin Northwest
Wylie at Stephenville
Burnet at Brownwood
Snyder at Lake View
Boerne at Sweetwater
Breckenridge at Eastland
Ballinger at Clyde
Merkel at Early
Cisco at Jim Ned
Bangs at Hamilton
Hamlin at Anson
Colorado City at Coahoma
Haskell at Albany
Winters at Hawley
Stamford vs Sudan at Post
Grape Creek at Coleman
Christoval at Roscoe
Cross Plains at De Leon
Lueders-Avoca at Aspermont
Hermleigh at Robert Lee
Ira at Knox City
Rule at Roby
Veribest at Rotan
Loraine at Highland
Water Valley at Westbrook
Baird at Chillicothe
May at Evant
Santa Anna at Brookesmith
Blanket at Zephyr
Throckmorton at Blackwell
TLCA Midland at TLCA Abilene
Paint Rock at Trent
Mullin at Moran
Lohn at Paint Creek
Three Way at Rising Star
Abilene Christian vs Fannindel at Strawn
DISTRICT STANDINGS
|
DISTRICT 2-6A |
Overall |
District |
|
Wolfforth Frenship |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Midland Legacy |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Odessa |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Odessa Permian |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
San Angelo Central |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Abilene High |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Midland |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 3-5A DIVISION I |
||
|
Azle |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Brewer |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Cooper |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Granbury |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Arlington Heights |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Northwest |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Saginaw |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Crowley |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 3-5A DIVISION II |
||
|
Wichita Falls Rider |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Canyon Randall |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Lubbock Cooper |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Wylie |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Plainview |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Wichita Falls |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 5-4A DIVISION I |
||
|
Midlothian Heritage |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Stephenville |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Waco La Vega |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Brownwood |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Waxahachie Life |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Alvarado |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 1-4A DIVISION II |
||
|
Monahans |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Snyder |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Midland Greenwood |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Pecos |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Sweetwater |
1-2 |
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 |
|
Ballinger |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Grape Creek |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Sonora |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Bangs |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
Ingram Moore |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 5-3A DIVISION II |
||
|
Dublin |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Merkel |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Millsap |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Jacksboro |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Comanche |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
Eastland |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 3-2A DIVISION I |
||
|
Forsan |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Hawley |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Anson |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Haskell |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Stamford |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Colorado City |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 4A-2A DIVISION I |
||
|
Cisco |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Coleman |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Goldthwaite |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Winters |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
De Leon |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
San Saba |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 5-2A DIVISION II |
||
|
Lockney |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Roscoe |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Crosbyton |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Ralls |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Hamlin |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 8-2A DIVISION II |
||
|
Santo |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Albany |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Cross Plains |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Hico |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Meridian |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 7-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Hermleigh |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Roby |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Rotan |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Ira |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Aspermont |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 8-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Highland |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Sterling City |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Westbrook |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Bronte |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Robert Lee |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 13-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
May |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Santa Anna |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Baird |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Gorman |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lingleville |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 15-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Evant |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Jonesboro |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lometa |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Zephyr |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 6-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Loraine |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Trent |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Olfen |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
Blackwell |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
TLCA Abilene |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 8-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Benjamin |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Rule |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Chillicothe |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Harrold |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 9-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Throckmorton |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Paint Creek |
2-0 |
0-0 |
|
Woodson |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Lueders-Avoca |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
Moran |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 15-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Blanket |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Rising Star |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Panther Creek |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Brookesmith |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Sidney |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 1-TAPPS 6M DIV. III |
||
|
Wichita Falls Christian |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lubbock All Saints |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Lubbock Christ the King |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Abilene Christian |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
Lubbock Kingdom Prep |
0-2 |
0-0 |
COLLEGE ROUND-UP
ACU 62, Louisiana College 7
The Wildcats beat an overmatched LC squad to earn victory number one on the season. ACU scored the first five touchdowns of the game and Stone Earle threw six touchdown passes in the win. The Wildcats are now 1-1 and will host 2-0 UT-Permian Basin on Saturday.
Hardin-Simmons 27, Sul Ross 0
The Cowboys are two-for-two in the shutout department this season after taking care of the Lobos in Alpine Saturday in their first ASC game of the year. HSU welcomes Belhaven to town this weekend.
Howard Payne 42, McMurry 36
The Yellow Jackets held off the Warhawks in a shootout to improve to 2-0. The teams combined for over 1,105 yards and 55 first downs in the contest, which was game number one of the year for McMurry. HPU will face Hendrix in a neutral site game in Prosper Saturday, while McMurry will travel to East Texas Baptist.
Cisco 69, RPA 0
The Wranglers ran for 390 yards in a route of RPA College to earn their first win of the season. Cisco led 28-0 after one quarter and 52-0 at the break on their way to the easy win. They’ll host Blinn College Saturday at 7 p.m.
That does it for an entertaining week three on the gridiron. Look for Blitz Picks on Thursday to get you ready for week four.
