Week 4 Rewind
BIG COUNTRY A TO Z
Abilene High evened its record at 2-2 with a road victory at Grand Prairie. The Eagles dominated the first half, leading 28-7 at the break, and had to hold off a Gopher second half rally to pick up the win. Da’King Thomas returned in big way, rushing for 129 yards and two touchdowns to finally give the Warbirds another great option in the running game besides quarterback Abel Ramirez. Ramirez did score what turned out to the be the game winning touchdown on a 32-yard run early in the fourth quarter. The Eagles now turn their attention to the Little Southwest Conference and their opener at Permian Friday night.
Abilene Christian picked up victory number one for head coach Daren Miller, beating Fannindel 35-31 in a neutral site game in Strawn. The Panthers wrap up non-district play with a 1-2 record and head to Amarillo San Jacinto for their district opener on Saturday.
Albany had no issue at home against Haskell, taking down the Indians 62-0 to improve to 3-0 on the season. Cole Chapman threw four touchdown passes and ran for another as the Lions outgained Haskell 580-66. The Lions host Anson Friday, while Haskell hopes to bounce back at home against winless Hamlin.
Photo: Gary Ford
Anson got back in the win column thanks to a huge second half against Hamlin. The Tigers only led 14-7 at the break, but outscored their rivals 40-0 in the second half to roll to a 54-7 win. Anson is now 2-2 on the season and set to visit unbeaten Albany. The Pipers will head to Haskell.
Aspermont notched victory number one of the season with a 58-12 Homecoming win over Lueders-Avoca. The Hornets hope to put a winning streak together as they visit winless TLCA Abilene this week. The Raiders have another tough road game at Loraine.
Baird got home from Chillicothe early after blasting the Eagles 53-0 in a game that ended at the half. The Bears stay perfect heading into their bye week.
Ballinger has its first winning streak of the season after a 21-13 road win at Clyde to improve to 2-1. The Bearcats scored late to extend a 14-13 lead and held off the Bulldogs final drive to get the victory. Clyde does not catch a break in the schedule as they get set to host Sweetwater Friday. Ballinger will host Llano, who is off to a 3-1 start and beat the Bearcats a year ago 34-0.
Bangs continues to have a rough go of it in 2021, falling at Hamilton 62-21 to drop to 0-3. The Dragons trailed 34-0 after one quarter and 54-14 at the half. Five turnovers were just too much to overcome. Bangs has an even tougher game Friday night at Hawley.
Blackwell battled hard but came up short against Throckmorton 40-32 Friday night. The Hornets drop to 0-4 and get set to host Brookesmith on Saturday.
Blanket bounced back from a loss to Lingleville last week with 61-0 shut out win at Zephyr. Brayden Day led the way with 186 yards and five touchdowns rushing. The Tigers improve to 3-1 and will head to Gholson Friday.
Breckenridge came up short in Eastland county for a second straight week, falling to Eastland 28-19 Friday. The Mavericks picked up their first victory of the season to improve to 1-3, while the Buckaroos fell to 1-3. The Bucks have another rough road game at Holliday this week, while the Mavericks will be off.
Photo: Todd White
Brookesmith lost for the third time in four games this season, falling to Santa Anna 60-12 at home Friday night. The Mustangs will play at Blackwell Saturday. Santa Anna will be back on the road at 1-2 Medina.
Brownwood is back to .500 after a big third quarter led to a 31-26 win over Burnet. The Lions fell behind early 10-0 but outscored the Bulldogs 31-7 in the second and third quarters, 21-7 in the third, to pull out the victory. Konlyn Anderson ran for 266 yards and two scores to pace the Brownwood offense. The Lions come to Abilene Friday night to face old rival Wylie.
Cisco lost for the first time this season, but the defeat is nothing to hang their heads about at Jim Ned 28-14. The Indians led 14-0 after one quarter and saw Cisco get as close at 21-14 late in the fourth on a Hunter Long to Dawson Hearne touchdown toss before adding a Xavier Wishert touchdown, he ran for 175 yards and two scores, to wrap up the victory. Top-ranked Jim Ned visits unbeaten Snyder Friday, while Cisco will host Comanche.
Coleman continues to dominate early in 2021, shutting out San Angelo Grap Creek 49-0 at home. The Bluecats led 21-0 after one and 49-0 at the half on their way to the easy win. Coleman hosts Colorado City Friday night.
Colorado City had its best scoring output of the season, but it wasn’t enough in a 26-12 loss at Coahoma. The Wolves took a 12-7 lead in the second quarter on an Aiden Briseno four-yard touchdown run, but saw the Bulldogs return the ensuing kickoff 76-yards to go ahead to stay.
Cooper is the first area team to start district play and, unfortunately, the first Big Country team to drop a district game. The Cougars fell behind 19-0 at Justin Northwest and could not complete the comeback, falling 33-21. Losing early and coming back to win had been the name of the game for the Coogs lately, but the closest they could get was 19-7 in the third quarter. Cooper will host Granbury on Friday night at Shotwell Stadium.
Cross Plains won for the third time in four tries, outlasting De Leon 21-13. The game was scoreless at the half and tied at seven after three quarters, but the Buffs put a pair of touchdowns on the board in the fourth on Kade Purvis scoring strikes to Ryan Reed and Ryan Hopkins to pull away for the win. Cross Plains hosts 1-3 Miles on Friday.
Early is still perfect on the season after pulling away to top Merkel 47-13. The Longhorns only led 14-6 at the half, but outscored the Badgers 26-0 in the third to cruise to the victory. Jaxyn Price continued his stellar play this season, throwing for 215 yards and three touchdowns and running for 16 and another sixer. Early heads to Grape Creek Friday, while Merkel hopes to snap a two-game losing streak as they host Coahoma.
Hawley picked up a fourth straight dominant win to start the season, blasting the Winters Blizzards 49-0. The Bearcats have outscored opponents 186-21 through four games. Hawley led 26-0 after one and 47-0 at the half on their way to the win.
Hermleigh remained unbeaten with an easy 50-0 victory at Robert Lee. The Cardinals have put together back-to-back 50-0 wins and will host for Wilson for Homecoming Friday.
Highland won a shootout over Loraine 62-48 to improve to 3-1 on the season. The Bulldogs have dropped two in a row against 1A Division I schools. They’ll look to bounce back against Lueders-Avoca this week, while the Hornets have a tough road game against Ira.
Ira held off Knox City 62-52 and now is 2-1 on the year. The Bulldogs overcame an early deficit to lead 56-38 after three quarters on their way to the win.
May had no problem taking down Evant 63-6 in a battle of unbeatens. The Tigers saw six players score touchdowns as they cruised to victory. They’ll play Blum for the third time in the last year on Friday. May beat the Bobcats twice a year ago, including a 92-86 overtime classic in the state semifinals.
Moran did not play this week. The Bulldogs look for win number one of the season at home against Lingleville Friday.
Paint Creek is still perfect after defending the home field against Lohn Saturday. The Pirates won 50-13 and are 3-0 in their “return to football” season. They’ll visit Harrold Friday, a team they’ve already beaten this year back in week one 52-0.
Ranger dropped a second straight home decision, falling to Gold-Burg 65-20 Friday. The game did not kick off until 8:30 p.m. as the scheduled referees did not show up, and when the action started the Bulldogs could not keep up with the now 3-1 Bears. Ranger plays at home for a third straight week Friday against 2-1 Newcastle.
Rising Star has alternated wins and losses to begin 2021, dropping a 49-18 home decision to Three Way to fall to 2-2. The Wildcats will host winless Lohn this week.
Roby did not get to play its scheduled battle of unbeatens against Rule as the Bobcats had to cancel school and activities due to COVID concerns. Roby will host Benjamin Friday, while Rule will host Woodson.
Roscoe is on a three-game winning streak thanks to a 42-30 win over previously unbeaten Christoval. The game was close throughout, with the Plowboys putting the only touchdown on the board in the fourth quarter to extend a 34-30 lead and put it away. Roscoe has won three in a row for the first time since 2017. They host New Home this week.
Rotan continues to impress through the first month of the season, improving to 4-0 with a 51-0 win over Veribest in a game that ended at halftime. The Yellowhammers have, well, hammered their opponents by a commanding 205-22 and will host 1-3 Robert Lee Friday.
Snyder won again and continues to be one of the bigger surprises in the Big Country this season. The Tigers cruised past Lake View 42-7 on the road and will now get ready for a showdown at home against Jim Ned. Snyder scored 35 unanswered points after the game was tied 7-7 heading into the second quarter. They’ve outscored their opponents 171-22 through four games this season.
Stamford pulled away for a 46-20 win over winless Sudan to improve to 2-2. The Bulldogs and Hornets met in Post, where Stamford dominated the second half to get the victory. The game was tied at 20 in the third, but the Bulldogs scored the final 26 points of the contest. A trip to Archer City is next on the schedule for Stamford.
Sweetwater had no answer for the Boerne offense in a 51-16 home loss to the Greyhounds. The Mustangs trailed 17-7 after one and stayed as close as 24-14 in the second before seeing the Greyhounds pull away for a 38-14 halftime lead. Sweetwater falls to 1-3 and heads to Clyde Friday night.
TLCA Abilene lost a 51-6 battle against sister school TLCA Midland Friday night. The Eagles had put together back-to-back full games against Brookesmith and Panther Creek before falling to Midland this week to fall to 0-4.
Trent went the distance but came up short at home against Paint Rock, 59-38. The Gorillas and Indians were square at 32 in the third quarter, but Paint Rock proved to be too much down the stretch as Trent falls to 1-3. The Gorillas welcome TLCA Midland to town Friday.
Westbrook lost 55-34 to Water Valley in a battle between state ranked teams. The game was tied at 22 in the second before Water Valley scored the next 27 unanswered to pull away and ruin Homecoming for the Wildcats. Westbrook’s very difficult slate finds them at unbeaten and #2 ranked in 1A Division II Strawn on Friday.
Wylie dropped a second straight game, falling at Stephenville 37-7. The Bulldogs gave up 596 yards to the Yellow Jackets, 466 of those via the pass. Stephenville led just 3-0 after one quarter and 17-7 at the break, but pulled away in the second half to knock Wylie to 1-3 ahead of a home game Friday against Brownwood. The Bulldogs only picked up 219 yards of total offense in the loss.
STILL PERFECT
Cisco was the only Big Country team to fall from the ranks of the unbeaten last week. At least one more will join them Friday when Snyder hosts Jim Ned.
BIGGEST WINS
1 - Roscoe 42, Christoval 30: The Plowboys were big underdogs and now look like they may be the team to beat in District 5-2A Division II this season.
2 - Jim Ned 28, Cisco 14: Another week, another win for the defending state champs, but this time they had to battle a very good Cisco squad down to the final minutes.
3 - Brownwood 31, Burnet 26: The Lions come from behind to even their record thanks to a huge night from Konlyn Anderson.
4 - Ballinger 21, Clyde 13: The Bearcats pick up a road win at a bigger school.
5 - Eastland 28, Breckenridge 19: The Mavericks get win number one on the season.
6 - Abilene High 35, Grand Prairie 28: The Eagles hold off a late rally and take a winning streak into district action at Permian.
7 - Abilene Christian 35, Fannindel 31: The Panthers earn their first win over a previously unbeaten Fannindel team that won 11 games in 2020.
UP NEXT
Abilene High at Permian
Granbury at Cooper
Brownwood at Wylie
Jim Ned at Snyder
Sweetwater at Clyde
Breckenridge at Holliday
Early at Grape Creek
Llano at Ballinger
Bangs at Hawley
Coahoma at Merkel
Anson at Albany
Colorado City at Coleman
Hamlin at Haskell
Stamford at Archer City
Comanche at Cisco
Hico at Winters
New Home at Roscoe
Miles at Cross Plains
TLCA Abilene at Aspermont
Wilson at Hermleigh
Ira at Highland
Benjamin at Roby
Robert Lee at Rotan
Westbrook at Strawn
Blum at May
Santa Anna at Olfen
Zephyr at Paint Rock
Brookesmith at Blackwell
Lueders-Avoda at Loraine
TLCA Midland at Trent
Woodson at Rule
Paint Creek at Harrold
Blanket at Gholson
Lohn at Rising Star
Newcastle at Ranger
Abilene Christian at Amarillo San Jacinto
DISTRICT STANDINGS
|
DISTRICT 2-6A |
Overall |
District |
|
Midland Legacy |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Odessa Permian |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Wolfforth Frenship |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Abilene High |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Odessa |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
San Angelo Central |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Midland |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 3-5A DIVISION I |
||
|
Azle |
3-1 |
1-0 |
|
Brewer |
3-1 |
1-0 |
|
Granbury |
3-1 |
1-0 |
|
Northwest |
2-2 |
1-0 |
|
Cooper |
2-2 |
0-1 |
|
Crowley |
0-4 |
0-1 |
|
FW Arlington Heights |
1-3 |
0-1 |
|
Saginaw |
0-4 |
0-1 |
|
DISTRICT 3-5A DIVISION II |
||
|
Wichita Falls Rider |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lubbock Cooper |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Canyon Randall |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Wylie |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
Plainview |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
Wichita Falls |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 5-4A DIVISION I |
||
|
Stephenville |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Midlothian Heritage |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Brownwood |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Waco La Vega |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Waxahachie Life |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
Alvarado |
0-4 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 1-4A DIVISION II |
||
|
Monahans |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Snyder |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Pecos |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Midland Greenwood |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Sweetwater |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 3-3A DIVISION I |
||
|
Early |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Jim Ned |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Wall |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Breckenridge |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
Clyde |
0-4 |
0-0 |
|
TLCA San Angelo |
0-4 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 2-3A DIVISION II |
||
|
Ballinger |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Brady |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Sonora |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Grape Creek |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
Ingram Moore |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
Bangs |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 5-3A DIVISION II |
||
|
Dublin |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Jacksboro |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Merkel |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Millsap |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Eastland |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
Comanche |
0-4 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 3-2A DIVISION I |
||
|
Forsan |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Halwey |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Anson |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Stamford |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Haskell |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
Colorado City |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 4A-2A DIVISION I |
||
|
Coleman |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Cisco |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Goldthwaite |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Winters |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
De Leon |
0-4 |
0-0 |
|
San Saba |
0-4 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 5-2A DIVISION II |
||
|
Lockney |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Roscoe |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Crosbyton |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Ralls |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Hamlin |
0-4 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 8-2A DIVISION II |
||
|
Santo |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Albany |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Cross Plains |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Hico |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Meridian |
0-4 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 7-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Hermleigh |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Rotan |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Roby |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Ira |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Aspermont |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 8-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Highland |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Sterling City |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Westbrook |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Bronte |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
Robert Lee |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 13-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
May |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Santa Anna |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Baird |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Gorman |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Lingleville |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 15-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Jonesboro |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lometa |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Evant |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Zephyr |
0-4 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 6-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Loraine |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Trent |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
Olfen |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
Blackwell |
0-4 |
0-0 |
|
TLCA Abilene |
0-4 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 8-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Benjamin |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Rule |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Chillicothe |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
Harrold |
0-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 9-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Throckmorton |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Paint Creek |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Woodson |
1-1 |
0-0 |
|
Lueders-Avoca |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
Moran |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 15-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Blanket |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Panther Creek |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Rising Star |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Brookesmith |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
Sidney |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 1-TAPPS 6M DIV. III |
||
|
Wichita Falls Christian |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lubbock All Saints |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Lubbock Christ the King |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Abilene Christian |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Lubbock Kingdom Prep |
1-2 |
0-0 |
COLLEGE ROUND-UP
The Wildcats won in blowout fashion for a second straight week and will head to Lamar for a non-conference game on Saturday.
Hardin-Simmons 21, Belhaven 16
The Cowboys did just enough to win a trap game against the Blazers before they head to Belton to battle top-ranked Mary Hardin-Baylor in a game that will likely decide the eventual American Southwest Conference champion.
The Jackets stay perfect with a non-conference neutral site win over Hendrix. HPU visits East Texas Baptist Saturday.
East Texas Baptist 24, McMurry 15
The War Hawks came up shy of getting their first win of 2021 with a close loss at home against ETBU. McMurry is home again this week against Southwestern.
The Wranglers dropped their conference opener by a single point at home against Blinn. The Buccaneers outscored the Wranglers 10-0 in the final quarter to come from behind for the win. Cisco is off until an October 2 trip to Trinity Valley.
