Week 5 Rewind
BIG COUNTRY A TO Z
Abilene High made a huge statement with a 42-21 road victory at Odessa Permian to kickoff District 2-6A play. The Eagles played their best game of the season, using the one-two punch of Abel Ramirez and Da’King Thomas on offense and a huge effort from Jayton Stuckey on defense to raise an eyebrow or two from folks who follow football across Texas. Abilene is on a three game winning streak and has another huge test coming up against the preseason district favorite, Midland (Lee) Legacy, at Shotwell Stadium Friday night.
Abilene Christian made a long road trip to Amarillo worthwhile with a 62-14 victory over Amarillo to fire up district play. The Panthers improve to 2-2 and will host Lubbock Kingdom Prep, the preseason district favorite, on Saturday.
Albany dominated a third straight Jones County opponent, taking down Anson 48-2 to stay perfect on the season. The Lions led 33-2 at the half and cruised to victory. Jaheim Newton ran for 164 yards and has rushed for 100+ in every game so far this season. Cole Chapman threw four touchdown passes for a second straight week — he’s thrown 15 TD’s against just one interception in 2021. The Lions host Olney this week, while the Tigers will be off before starting district play against Stamford October 8.
Aspermont took care of Abilene TLCA Thursday night to improve to 2-3. The Hornets will take a two-game winning streak into their game at Knox City this week. The Eagles are set to meet 0-2 Newman International Academy-Mansfield in Gordon on Saturday afternoon.
Baird was off and will put its perfect record on the line at Lueders-Avoca this week.
Ballinger avenged a 2020 loss to Llano by taking down the Yellowjackets 35-34 in overtime. The Bearcats made their extra-point after scoring on a Carter Arrott to Briley Clinton touchdown pass in overtime, but Llano missed theirs after scoring to pull within one. Ballinger has won three in a row after a season opening loss to Jim Ned and will be off this week before opening district play against Brady.
Bangs fell to 0-4 with a 54-0 loss at state-ranked Hawley. The Bearcats led 41-0 at the half and were never tested on their way to another blowout victory. Hawley has recorded shut outs in three of their five wins this season and have outscored opponents 240-21. The 240 points are second most in the state in 2A Division I behind Refugio (301 points) and the 21 points allowed are second to only Coleman (19 points allowed in four games). Both teams are off this week.
Blackwell earned its first victory of the season with a 48-0 shutout win over Brookesmith Saturday night. The Hornets hope to put another win on the ledger at Irion County this week before they begin district play at Olfen. The Mustangs have dropped three in a row and will visit Bluff Dale Friday night.
Blanket has won four of their first five games under new head coach Casey Mund this season, taking down Gholson 66-0 Friday. Brayden Day led the attack with three touchdowns. The Tigers host 1A D1 Evant (4-1) Friday.
Breckenridge battled hard against #4 Holliday but came up shy of pulling off an upset. The Buckaroos only trailed 13-12 at the half but were outscored 21-0 in the second half on the way to suffering the 34-12 loss. The Bucks have lost four straight and will return to action against winless Clyde to kickoff district play on October 8.
Brownwood could not stop the Wylie offense Friday night, giving up 328 yards rushing in a 49-21 loss to the Bulldogs. Wylie led 35-0 at the half and pushed the lead to 42-0 before Brownwood got on the board in the third quarter. Konlyn Anderson continued his stellar play, racking up 126 yards a touchdown rushing in the loss. Wylie is off until starting district play at home against unbeaten Wichita Falls Rider on October 8. Brownwood is also off Friday and will host Midlothian Heritage to start District 5-4A Division I action.
Cisco rolled past Comanche 41-14 to move to 4-1 on the season. The Loboes led 21-7 at the half and pulled away for the win to drop the Indians to 0-5 on the season. Hunter Long led the way with 249 yards and three touchdowns rushing. Cisco is off Friday and will return to action at Winters October 8.
Clyde is still looking for win number one of the season after falling to Sweetwater 42-21 at home Friday night. The Mustangs led 27-7 at the half and cruised to the win to improve to 2-3 on the year. Leo Holsey threw for four touchdowns and ran for another in the win. Sweetwater hosts Eastland this week, while Clyde is off until they visit Breckenridge on October 8.
Coleman continues to roll. The Bluecats cruised past Colorado City 63-13 to improve to 4-0. The Wolves fall to 0-4 with the loss. Coleman ran for 339 yards in the win and the 19 points they have allowed this season is the fewest in the state in Class 2A and third fewest in the state in UIL 11-man football behind six by Lubbock Roosevelt (3A Division II) and 18 by Coldspring-Oakhurst (3A Division II in three games). The Bluecats are off Friday and will visit De Leon to start district action. Colorado City begins their district run at home against Forsan October 8.
Cooper evened its district record at 1-1 with a 56-34 Homecoming win over Granbury. The two teams are likely to be in the playoff mix as the season progresses, so the win was crucial for the Cougars after dropping their first district game at Justin Northwest. Cooper jumped out to a 21-0 lead, saw the Pirates close the margin to 21-10, then added ten more of their own to go up 31-10 and never looked back. Cooper is off this week and will host Arlington Heights on October 7.
Cross Plains has won three in a row and is now 4-1 after holding off Miles 37-32. The Buffaloes put together a big third quarter to turn a 20-18 deficit into a 37-18 lead and held off a late rally to win. Cross Plains will not play this week and will open district action against Hico October 8.
Early stayed hot with an easy 49-0 win over Grape Creek. The Longhorns improve to 5-0 and the 235 points they have scored this season is the third highest total in 3A Division I behind 275 from West and 247 by Groesbeck. Early is 5-0 for the first time since 1976 when they started 6-0. They’ll be off Friday but have an eye on their biggest test of the season, the district opener at #1 Jim Ned on October 8.
Eastland was off and will visit Sweetwater Friday night.
Hamlin dropped to 0-5 with a 25-0 loss at Haskell. The Indians wrap up non-district play with a 2-3 record, while the Pipers get set to host #2 Windthorst for Homecoming. Haskell led 10-0 at the half and kept the Pipers off the board the rest of the way to pick up the victory. Hamlin only had 47 yards of total offense.
Hermleigh remained perfect with a 69-0 victory over Wilson. The Cardinals have 45’d all five opponents so far this season and have outscored their last three 169-0. Hermleigh has allowed the fifth fewest points in the state in six-man football the season and will host Bronte Friday before opening district play at Aspermont the following week.
Photo: SMcCowen Photography
Highland could not defend the home field and fell to Ira 86-46 Friday night. The Bulldogs have won three in a row, all on the road, after a season opening neutral site loss to Turkey Valley. Ira will finally play at home Friday as they host Loraine in their final non-district game, while Highland heads to #5 Water Valley before visiting Westbrook to kickoff district.
Jim Ned survived its biggest test of the season so far with a 22-15 victory at Snyder. The Tigers and Indians were tied 7-7 at the half and 15-15 late in the third before Sergio Hernandez provided the game winning play on a 12-yard interception return for a touchdown with under a minute left in the third quarter. Xavier Wishert continues to dominate the competition as he ran for 200 yards and a touchdown. He’s nearing the 1,000 yard mark for the season and is already at 937 with 10 touchdowns after five weeks. Snyder proved they may be a force to be reckoned with in district play with the great effort in the loss. They head to Muleshoe for a homecoming game for head coach Wes Wood, a Muleshoe High School grad, on Friday. Jim Ned is off until October 8 when they host fellow unbeaten Early to start the district slate.
Loraine snapped a two-game losing streak with a 60-14 win over Lueders-Avoca Friday night. The Bulldogs have another tough game against a 1A D1 opponent, Ira, this week before starting district play against Trent. The Raiders host unbeaten Baird Friday and begin district play against Throckmorton on October 8.
Photo: Derrick Stuckly/Brownwoodnews.com
May took care of Blum 77-14 Thursday night to move to 5-0 on the season. The Tigers were dominant from the get-go and have scored a defensive touchdown in all five games so far this season. #1 May hosts Newcastle Friday and will open district play at home against Gorman on October 8.
Merkel jumped out to a 30-14 halftime lead and never looked back on the way to a 37-20 win over Coahoma. The Badgers improve to 3-2 in their first season under head coach Will Kates, already matching their win total from 2020. Joey Zink rank for three touchdowns to lead the Merkel offensive attack. The Badgers open district play at Jacksboro October 8.
Moran fell to 0-4 with a 48-0 home loss to 1A Division I Lingleville. The Bulldogs are off this week and hope to get on track at Paint Creek when district play commences on October 8.
Paint Creek beat Harrold for a second time in 2020, this time 60-0 to improve to 4-0. The Pirates beat the Hornets 52-0 in week one and will host Trent this Friday. Paint Creek continues to be an amazing story as they just keep winning in their first season of football since 2017.
Ranger lost for the third straight week as they dropped a 68-20 decision to Newcastle. The Bulldogs are 1-4 in their first season of six-man football and set to host Rising Star Thursday night.
Rising Star took care of Lohn at home 54-7 to improve to 3-2 on the season. The Wildcats face Ranger Thursday then open district play at Blanket October 8.
Roby jumped into the state rankings for the first time as a six-man team and likely will drop out after one week following their 63-50 home loss to unbeaten Benjamin. The Lions trailed 14-8 after one, 42-28 at the half and never could overcome the Mustangs on their way to their first loss of the season. Roby heads to 1A D2 #8 Jayton this week before opening district play against Ira.
Rotan rolled to a fifth straight win to start the season, blasting Robert Lee 55-6 at home Friday night in a game that ended at the half. The Yellowhammers picked up a game against Lometa in Ranger on Friday night and will open district play at Ira on October 15.
Roscoe is rolling in 2021 and have won four in a row. The Plowboys blew out New Home 44-12 at home to get to 4-1 ahead of their non-district finale against Sudan Friday night. Roscoe scored 37 unanswered points after leading just 7-6 after one quarter to run away with the win.
Rule did not play for a second straight week and will take on unbeaten Throckmorton on the road Friday night.
Santa Anna stayed perfect with a 65-20 road win at Medina. The Mountaineers led just 22-14 after one quarter but kept their foot on the gas and put the game away early in the third quarter. Santa Anna wraps up non-district play at home against Panther Creek Friday.
Stamford fell to 2-3 with a 43-20 loss at Archer City. The Bulldogs trailed just 22-14 heading into the fourth quarter but did not have enough firepower to keep up with the Wildcats in the final 12 minutes. Stamford has dropped three of four and will open district play at home against Anson October 8.
Trent fell for the third straight week, falling at home to TLCA Midland 60-31. The 1-4 Gorillas head to Paint Creek to battle the unbeaten Pirates Friday before opening district play at Loraine October 8.
Westbrook battled back and forth with Strawn (#2 in 1A D2) all night, but came up short by a 68-52 margin. Westbrook is now 2-3 with the three losses coming to the current #1 (Motley County) and #2 teams in 1A D2 and the #5 team in 1A D1 (Water Valley). The Wildcats led 40-36 at the half but Strawn scored first in the third quarter and never gave up the lead on their way to the win. Westbrook will visit 3-2 Garden City, a perennial playoff contender, Friday night.
The Blizzards put the “Win” in Winters for the first time this season with a 48-7 blowout win over Hico. Winters jumped out to a 28-0 halftime lead and kept the Tigers in the rearview mirror in the second half. The Blizzards are off this week before starting district play at home against Cisco.
Zephyr fell to 0-5 on the year with a 35-14 loss at Paint Rock. The Bulldogs head to Cherokee his week looking to snap a nine-game losing streak.
STILL PERFECT
We are down to 12 “perfect” teams in the Big Country after Roby and Snyder suffered close losses in week four.
BIGGEST WINS
1 - Abilene High 42, Odessa Permian 21: The Eagles are catching fire and looked very good knocking off the Panthers on the road.
2 - Jim Ned 22, Snyder 15: The Indians pass a test against a Snyder team that may very well contend for a district title.
3 - Ballinger 35, Llano 34 OT: The Bearcats rally to win their third straight against a team that made the state semifinals a year ago.
4 - Wylie 49, Brownwood 21: The Bulldogs bounce back from back-to-back losses, one a very ugly one at Stephenville, to knock off their old rivals.
5 - Merkel 37, Coahoma 20: The Badgers get back a little momentum before district play begins.
UP NEXT
Midland Legacy at Abilene High
Snyder at Muleshoe
Eastland at Sweetwater
Windthorst at Hamlin
Roscoe at Sudan
Olney at Albany
Knox City at Aspermont
Bronte at Hermleigh
Loraine at Ira
Roby at Jayton
Rotan vs Lometa (at Ranger)
Highland at Water Valley
Westbrook at Garden City
Baird at Lueders-Avoca
Newcastle at May
Panther Creek at Santa Anna
Zephyr at Cherokee
Blackwell at Irion County
Trent at Paint Creek
TLCA Abilene vs Newman International Academy-Mansfield (Saturday, 1 p.m. at Gordon)
Rule at Throckmorton
Evant at Blanket
Brookesmith at Bluff Dale
Rising Star at Ranger - Thursday
Lubbock Kingdom Prep at Abilene Christian
OPEN: Cooper, Wylie, Brownwood, Breckenridge, Clyde, Early, Jim Ned, Ballinger, Bangs, Merkel, Anson, Colorado City, Haskell, Hawley, Stamford, Cisco, Coleman, Winters, Cross Plains, TLCA Abilene, Moran
DISTRICT STANDINGS
|
DISTRICT 2-6A |
Overall |
District |
|
Wolfforth Frenship |
4-1 |
1-0 |
|
Abilene High |
3-2 |
1-0 |
|
Midland |
2-3 |
1-0 |
|
Midland Legacy |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Odessa Permian |
3-2 |
0-1 |
|
Odessa |
2-3 |
0-1 |
|
San Angelo Central |
2-3 |
0-1 |
|
DISTRICT 3-5A DIVISION I |
||
|
Azle |
4-1 |
2-0 |
|
Brewer |
4-1 |
2-0 |
|
Northwest |
3-2 |
2-0 |
|
Cooper |
3-2 |
1-1 |
|
Granbury |
3-2 |
1-1 |
|
FW Arlington Heights |
1-4 |
0-2 |
|
Saginaw |
1-4 |
0-2 |
|
Crowley |
0-5 |
0-2 |
|
DISTRICT 3-5A DIVISION II |
||
|
Wichita Falls Rider |
5-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lubbock Cooper |
4-1 |
0-0 |
|
Canyon Randall |
3-2 |
0-0 |
|
Wylie |
2-3 |
0-0 |
|
Plainview |
1-4 |
0-0 |
|
Wichita Falls |
1-4 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 5-4A DIVISION I |
||
|
Stephenville |
5-0 |
0-0 |
|
Midlothian Heritage |
4-1 |
0-0 |
|
Waco La Vega |
3-2 |
0-0 |
|
Brownwood |
2-3 |
0-0 |
|
Alvarado |
1-4 |
0-0 |
|
Waxahachie Life |
1-4 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 1-4A DIVISION II |
||
|
Monahans |
5-0 |
0-0 |
|
Snyder |
4-1 |
0-0 |
|
Pecos |
3-2 |
0-0 |
|
Midland Greenwood |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Sweetwater |
2-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 3-3A DIVISION I |
||
|
Early |
5-0 |
0-0 |
|
Jim Ned |
5-0 |
0-0 |
|
Wall |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Breckenridge |
1-4 |
0-0 |
|
Clyde |
0-5 |
0-0 |
|
TLCA San Angelo |
0-5 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 2-3A DIVISION II |
||
|
Ballinger |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Brady |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Sonora |
2-3 |
0-0 |
|
Ingram Moore |
2-3 |
0-0 |
|
Grape Creek |
1-4 |
0-0 |
|
Bangs |
0-4 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 5-3A DIVISION II |
||
|
Dublin |
4-1 |
0-0 |
|
Merkel |
3-2 |
0-0 |
|
Jacksboro |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Millsap |
2-3 |
0-0 |
|
Eastland |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
Comanche |
0-5 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 3-2A DIVISION I |
||
|
Forsan |
5-0 |
0-0 |
|
Hawley |
5-0 |
0-0 |
|
Anson |
2-3 |
0-0 |
|
Haskell |
2-3 |
0-0 |
|
Stamford |
2-3 |
0-0 |
|
Colorado City |
0-4 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 4A-2A DIVISION I |
||
|
Coleman |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Cisco |
4-1 |
0-0 |
|
Goldthwaite |
2-3 |
0-0 |
|
Winters |
1-3 |
0-0 |
|
De Leon |
0-5 |
0-0 |
|
San Saba |
0-5 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 5-2A DIVISION II |
||
|
Lockney |
4-1 |
0-0 |
|
Roscoe |
4-1 |
0-0 |
|
Crosbyton |
3-2 |
0-0 |
|
Ralls |
3-2 |
0-0 |
|
Hamlin |
0-5 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 8-2A DIVISION II |
||
|
Santo |
5-0 |
0-0 |
|
Albany |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Cross Plains |
4-1 |
0-0 |
|
Hico |
2-3 |
0-0 |
|
Meridian |
0-5 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 7-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Hermleigh |
5-0 |
0-0 |
|
Rotan |
5-0 |
0-0 |
|
Ira |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Roby |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Aspermont |
2-3 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 8-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Sterling City |
4-1 |
0-0 |
|
Highland |
3-2 |
0-0 |
|
Westbrook |
2-3 |
0-0 |
|
Bronte |
1-4 |
0-0 |
|
Robert Lee |
1-4 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 13-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
May |
5-0 |
0-0 |
|
Santa Anna |
5-0 |
0-0 |
|
Baird |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Gorman |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Lingleville |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 15-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Jonesboro |
5-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lometa |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Evant |
4-1 |
0-0 |
|
Zephyr |
0-5 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 6-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Loraine |
3-2 |
0-0 |
|
Blackwell |
1-4 |
0-0 |
|
Trent |
1-4 |
0-0 |
|
Olfen |
0-4 |
0-0 |
|
TLCA Abilene |
0-5 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 8-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Benjamin |
5-0 |
0-0 |
|
Rule |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Chillicothe |
1-4 |
0-0 |
|
Harrold |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 9-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Throckmorton |
5-0 |
0-0 |
|
Paint Creek |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Woodson |
2-1 |
0-0 |
|
Lueders-Avoca |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
Moran |
0-4 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 15-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Blanket |
4-1 |
0-0 |
|
Rising Star |
3-2 |
0-0 |
|
Panther Creek |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Brookesmith |
1-4 |
0-0 |
|
Sidney |
1-4 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 1-TAPPS 6M DIV. III |
||
|
Abilene Christian |
2-2 |
1-0 |
|
Lubbock Kingdom Prep |
2-2 |
1-0 |
|
Wichita Falls Christian |
3-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lubbock All Saints |
2-2 |
0-1 |
|
Lubbock Christ the King |
2-3 |
0-1 |
COLLEGE ROUND-UP
The Wildcats ran their winning streak to three with an absolute blowout win at Lamar, their first road shutout in 15 years. ACU opens conference play against Central Arkansas Saturday at 6 p.m.
Mary Hardin-Baylor 34, Hardin-Simmons 28
The Cowboys led 28-7 at the half but could not hold on and lost a close decision to the top-ranked Crusaders. UMHB has beaten HSU eight times in a row and in 21 of the last 22 meetings. HSU hosts rival McMurry Saturday at 1 p.m.
Howard Payne 49, East Texas Baptist 38
The Yellow Jackets remain perfect in 2021 after picking up a huge road win at East Texas Baptist. The HPU offensive machine rolled up 541 yards to help the Jackets get off to their best start since 2002.
The War Hawks were winners for the first time this season, going on a 38-7 run after falling behind 10-0 in the first quarter and never looking back on their way to victory. They head north to battle Hardin-Simmons Saturday.
Cisco was off and will play at Trinity Valley Saturday at 3 p.m.
|
ASUN-WAC CHALLENGE |
Overall |
Conf |
|
Sam Houston State |
3-0 |
1-0 |
|
Abilene Christian |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Stephen F. Austin |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Eastern Kentucky |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Jacksonville State |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Tarleton State |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Lamar |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Dixie State |
0-3 |
0-0 |
|
Central Arkansas |
1-3 |
0-1 |
|
AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE |
Overall |
Conf |
|
Howard Payne |
4-0 |
3-0 |
|
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
4-0 |
3-0 |
|
Hardin-Simmons |
3-1 |
2-1 |
|
Belhaven |
2-2 |
1-2 |
|
East Texas Baptist |
2-2 |
1-2 |
|
Austin College |
1-2 |
1-2 |
|
McMurry |
1-2 |
1-2 |
|
Sul Ross State |
1-2 |
1-2 |
|
Southwestern |
1-3 |
1-2 |
|
Texas Lutheran |
1-3 |
1-2 |
|
SWJCFC |
Overall |
Conf |
|
NMMI |
4-0 |
2-0 |
|
Trinity Valley |
4-0 |
2-0 |
|
Kilgore |
3-1 |
2-1 |
|
Blinn |
2-1 |
1-1 |
|
Tyler |
2-2 |
1-1 |
|
NE Oklahoma A&M |
1-2 |
1-2 |
|
Cisco |
1-2 |
0-1 |
|
Navarro |
1-3 |
0-3 |
