Week 6 Rewind
Big Country A to Z
Abilene High did not beat Midland Legacy, but they proved they are one of the best teams in District 2-6A in a 42-33 loss. The Eagles went toe-to-toe with the Rebels a week after doubling-up Permian and sit 1-1 after two weeks of district play. Da’King Thomas (139 yards and three touchdowns rushing) and Abel Ramirez (23-39, 256 yds, 1 td passing and 107 yds, 1 td rushing) continued to impress on offense, as did receivers Anthony Ramirez and Austin Wood and the big boys up front on the line. While the defense did give up over 400 yards and 42 points, they forced two turnovers and performed admirably in their first game without star linebacker Jayton Stuckey. The Eagles are off this Friday and will visit Frenship to resume district play on October 15.
Abilene Christian jumped out to an early lead over district preseason favorite Lubbock Kingdom Prep, but could not hold on and fell to the Warriors 50-44 Saturday afternoon. The teams ended up playing twice last season, once in the regular season and again in the playoffs, and the Panthers would love to get a chance at revenge later in the season. They are now 1-1 in district play and have this week off. Here are some photos I took from the game.
Albany jumped out to a 27-0 first half lead over Olney and never looked back to beat the Cubs 55-6 and keep its perfect record intact. The Lions have allowed just eight points (two of them a safety) over the past four weeks and 29 points the entire season. Jaheim Newton ran for 127 yards and two touchdowns on just eight carries to lead the Albany attack. The Lions kickoff district play this week at Meridian, where they are 81 (!) point favorites according to the Dave Campbell’s Texas Football computers.
Anson was off and will open district play at Stamford Friday night.
Aspermont’s quest for a three-game winning streak did not pan out in a 56-6 home loss to Knox City. The Hornets fell behind 26-0 and never could recover in a game that ended at the half. Aspermont starts district play Friday night at home against unbeaten Hermleigh.
Baird is still perfect after a 52-6 win at Lueders-Avoca. The Bears led 46-6 at the half and put it away with another score early in the third quarter. Baird is now 4-0 and opens district play at home against 6-0 Santa Anna. The Raiders kickoff district action with yet another tough contest, this one at unbeaten and state ranked Throckmorton.
Ballinger was off and will begin district action at home against Brady this week.
Bangs had the week off as well. The Dragons hope to get things rolling as they begin District 2-3A Division II play at home against Grape Creek.
Blackwell did not beat Irion County Friday night but put together a very good performance, taking the 1A D1 Hornets the distance in a 67-40 defeat. Now the Hornets turn their attention to winless Olfen to begin District 6-1A Division II play on the road Friday night.
Blanket is on a roll as they enter district action against Rising Star this week. The Tigers took down 1A Division I Evant 42-30 on homecoming to improve to 5-1 on the season. Brayden Day led the way with 140 yards and two touchdowns rushing. Blanket has won three straight and looks to be the clear favorite to win District 15-1A Division II.
Breckenridge did not play Friday night. The Buckaroos host Clyde to kickoff district play this week.
Brookesmith fell for the fourth straight time, dropping a 66-0 decision at Bluff Dale. The Mustangs are now 1-5 and heading into their bye week. They will resume action for district play at Panther Creek Oct. 15.
Brownwood enjoyed its open week and will fire up district play at home against Midlothian Heritage Friday night.
Cisco was off this past week and is set to open the district schedule on the road at Winters.
Clyde did not see the field Friday. The Bulldogs start District 3-3A Division I play at Breckenridge this week.
Coleman was off Friday. The unbeaten Bluecats head to De Leon to kickoff the district slate Friday night.
Colorado City was on its bye week. The Wolves host state-ranked Forsan Friday night in their District 3-2A Division I opener.
Cooper did not play. The Cougars host Fort Worth Arlington Heights (1-4, 0-2) Thursday night at Shotwell Stadium.
Cross Plains had its first of two open weeks. The Buffaloes begin the district schedule Friday at home against Hico.
Early, like the rest of District 3-3A Division I, did not play Friday. The Longhorns get ready for their biggest game in quite some time as they open district action at #1 Jim Ned.
Eastland looks like it has its offense in high gear as they racked up 648 yards in a 70-54 loss at 4A Sweetwater. The Mavericks threw for 346 yards and ran for 302, but also gave up 70 points and 631 yards to the Mustangs. Eastland enters district play at home against Millsap Friday with a 1-4 record, but is still among the favorites to claim the crown.
Photo: Gary Ford
Hamlin wrapped up non-district play with a 45-0 Homecoming loss to #2 Windthorst. The Pipers came out fired up and the game was scoreless after the first quarter, but the Trojans put 21 points on the board in the second quarter on their way to the win. Hamlin was limited to 66 yards of total offense and gave up 403. The Pied Pipers hope their tough schedule pays dividends as they enter district action at home against Ralls Friday night.
Haskell did not play Friday and will begin District 3-2A Division I play at Hawley this week.
Hawley will host Haskell after being off last week.
Hermleigh stayed hot, blasting Bronte 51-0 to improve to 6-0. The Cardinals jumped out to a 28-0 first quarter lead and never looked back. They now have four consecutive shutouts (by a 210-0 margin) and six “45’s” this season. They head to Aspermont this week to begin district play.
Highland played yet another state ranked opponent and came up short, falling 68-6 at #4 Water Valley to drop to 3-3 on the season. The Hornets will visit Westbrook for a key game to begin the district schedule. Highland, Westbrook and Sterling City look to be the three teams that will battle it out for the two playoff spots out of District 8-1A Division I.
Photo: SMcCowen Photography
Photo: SMcCowen Photography
Ira won its home opener over Loraine, 71-26, to improve to 4-1 on the season. The Bullodgs have won four in a row and will begin district play at Roby Friday night. Loraine went 3-3 against a tough non-district schedule and looks to be the favorite in District 6-1A Division II. The Bulldogs host improving Trent to kickoff district play this week.
Jim Ned enjoyed the bye week and will return to action against unbeaten Early Friday night to kick off district play.
May stayed perfect with an easy 55-0 Homecoming victory over Newcastle Friday night. The Tigers earned their first shutout of the season and continue to be very impressive on offense and special teams. Gorman is the first district opponent on the schedule at home Friday night. The District 13-1A Division I race should be very interesting as the five teams have a combined 24-2 record entering district action.
Merkel will return to action at Jacksboro to begin their district schedule after being off last week.
Moran did not play this week. The Bulldogs will visit Paint Creek for the start of District 9-1A Division II play Friday.
Paint Creek saw its perfect run come to an end with a 67-28 home loss to Trent. The Gorillas led a close one 26-22 at the break and pulled away in the second half to win for the second time this season. Trent heads to district favorite Loraine to start district play this week. Paint Creek hopes to bounce back in the district opener at home against Moran.
Ranger did not get to play its game against Rising Star this week due to COVID concerns. The Bulldogs will visit Rotan Friday.
Rising Star didn’t get to play Ranger and will kickoff district play at Blanket Friday.
Roby dropped a second straight decision against a good 1A Division II team, losing at #8 Jayton 64-22 Friday night. The Lions hung around in the first quarter, trailing just 22-16 after one, but saw Jayton pull away from there. Roby now looks forward to district play and a date with Ira at home.
Rotan picked up a tough game against Lometa this past week and ended up on the short end of a 48-44 decision. The Yellowhammers suffered their first loss but played their best competition to date, which should come in handy when district play begins. Rotan is off Friday but will jump into district action at Ira on October 15.
Roscoe met Sudan and came out on top in a bad weather game, 6-0. The Plowboys and Hornets only played two minutes before a lightning delay and they never returned to the field. Luckily for Roscoe, they scored a touchdown in that two minutes to claim their fifth straight win and now get the week off before opening district play at Ralls on October 15.
Rule fell from the ranks of the unbeaten with a 74-26 loss at #10 Throckmorton. The Bobcats had missed out on games the previous two weeks and had a tough one to return for, as Rule fell behind 24-6 after one quarter and could not catch up. The Bobcats meet 6-0 Loop this Thursday night in Hermleigh to wrap up their non-district schedule.
Santa Anna stayed hot with an easy 75-6 win over Panther Creek. The Mountaineers have picked up mercy rule wins the last three weeks and in five of their six non-district games. Now the schedule gets tougher as they open district action at unbeaten Baird Friday night.
Snyder bounced back on from its first loss of the season with a 45-33 win at Muleshoe. The Tigers led 19-0 early but saw the Mules get as close as 31-27 in the second half before pulling away for the win. Snyder has now more than doubled its number of wins from 2020 as they head into district play at rival Sweetwater Friday night.
Stamford did not play this past week. The Bulldogs will begin district play at home against rival Anson Friday night.
Sweetwater continued to get better on offense, racking up over 600 yards and 70 points in a 70-54 win over Eastland. The defense will have to get better in district, but Leo Holsey and company are picking up the pace as the season goes on. Holsey completed 17 of 19 passes for 434 yards and six touchdowns and ran for 101 yards and three more scores in the Eastland win. Harrison Foster and Ethan Brockman each went over the 100-yard mark receiving and caught a pair of sixers. Sweetwater hosts rival Snyder to kickoff district play. This will be the 69th meeting between the two. Sweetwater holds the all-time edge 39-28-1.
TLCA Abilene is in the win column for the first time in program history. The Eagles met Newman International Academy-Mansfield in Gordon and came out on top 66-18 for their first ever win and first victory for head coach Jeremy Kirk. Kirk said, “When you get win number one it is an awesome feeling and it was so good to watch the kids celebrate with their families and friends. Several of these boys had been 0-13 until Saturday. Several of them said, “Coach, can you believe it?” Their smiles were the best.” The Eagles now get the week off before entering district play at Blackwell on October 15. “The win couldn’t have come at a better time for us,” Kirk said. “We have a bye week and then district play starts with Blackwell. I believe this win will give our boys the confidence going in that we have been looking for all year. Blackwell will be a huge game for us to be able to get into the postseason.”
Westbrook came up short in another shootout, falling at Garden City 56-44. That makes three straight losses for the Wildcats, but all three games went the distance against state ranked squads. Westbrook opens District 8-1A Division I play at home against Highland Friday.
Winters was off Friday. The Blizzards open district play with a challenge at home against state-ranked Cisco Friday night.
Wylie will return to action to begin District 3-5A Division II play at home against state-ranked Wichita Falls Rider on Friday.
Zephyr fell to 0-6 with a 54-6 loss at Cherokee. The Bulldogs host Ranger in their non-district finale Friday and will open district play at Lometa on October 15.
STILL PERFECT
We are down to nine after Paint Creek, Rotan and Rule came up short on Friday night.
BIGGEST WINS
1 - TLCA Abilene 66, Newman International Academy-Mansfield 18: The Eagles get the first win in program history.
2 - Blanket 42, Evant 30: The Tigers take down a bigger school to make it a happy homecoming.
3 - Trent 67, Paint Creek 28: The Gorillas knock the Pirates from the ranks of the unbeaten.
4 - Sweetwater 70, Eastland 54: The Mustangs flex their offensive muscle to take down the Mavericks.
5 - Snyder 45, Muleshoe 33: The Tigers win for their head coach against his alma mater and bounce back from a tough loss to Jim Ned.
UP NEXT
Arlington Heights at Cooper - Thursday
Wichita Falls Rider at Wylie
Midlothian Heritage at Brownwood
Snyder at Sweetwater
Clyde at Breckenridge
Early at Jim Ned
TLCA San Angelo at Wall
Brady at Ballinger
Grape Creek at Bangs
Millsap at Eastland
Merkel at Jacksboro
Dublin at Comanche
Anson at Stamford
Forsan at Colorado City
Haskell at Hawley
Cisco at Winters
Coleman at De Leon
Goldthwaite at San Saba
Ralls at Hamlin
Crosbyton at Lockney
Albany at Meridian
Hico at Cross Plains
Hermleigh at Aspermont
Ira at Roby
Highland at Westbrook
Bronte at Sterling City
Santa Anna at Baird
May at Gorman
Ranger at Zephyr
Blackwell at Olfen
Trent at Loraine
Rule vs Loop at Hermleigh - Thursday
Lueders-Avoca at Throckmorton
Moran at Paint Creek
Rising Star at Blanket
Panther Creek at Sidney
OPEN: Abilene High, Roscoe, Rotan, TLCA Abilene, Brookesmith, Abilene Christian
DISTRICT STANDINGS
|
DISTRICT 2-6A |
Overall |
District |
|
Midland Legacy |
4-1 |
1-0 |
|
Midland |
2-3 |
1-0 |
|
Wolfforth Frenship |
4-2 |
1-1 |
|
Abilene High |
3-3 |
1-1 |
|
Odessa Permian |
3-2 |
1-1 |
|
Odessa |
3-3 |
1-1 |
|
San Angelo Central |
2-4 |
0-2 |
|
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 |
6-0 |
0-0 |
|
Snyder |
5-1 |
0-0 |
|
Pecos |
4-2 |
0-0 |
|
Sweetwater |
3-3 |
0-0 |
|
Midland Greenwood |
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 |
5-1 |
0-0 |
|
Roscoe |
5-1 |
0-0 |
|
Ralls |
4-2 |
0-0 |
|
Crosbyton |
3-3 |
0-0 |
|
Hamlin |
0-6 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 8-2A DIVISION II |
||
|
Santo |
6-0 |
0-0 |
|
Albany |
5-0 |
0-0 |
|
Cross Plains |
4-1 |
0-0 |
|
Hico |
3-3 |
0-0 |
|
Meridian |
1-5 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 7-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Hermleigh |
6-0 |
0-0 |
|
Rotan |
5-1 |
0-0 |
|
Ira |
4-1 |
0-0 |
|
Roby |
3-2 |
0-0 |
|
Aspermont |
2-4 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 8-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Sterling City |
5-1 |
0-0 |
|
Highland |
3-3 |
0-0 |
|
Robert Lee |
2-4 |
0-0 |
|
Westbrook |
2-4 |
0-0 |
|
Bronte |
1-5 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 13-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
May |
6-0 |
0-0 |
|
Santa Anna |
6-0 |
0-0 |
|
Baird |
4-0 |
0-0 |
|
Gorman |
4-1 |
0-0 |
|
Lingleville |
4-1 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 15-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Jonesboro |
6-0 |
0-0 |
|
Lometa |
5-0 |
0-0 |
|
Evant |
4-2 |
0-0 |
|
Zephyr |
0-6 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 6-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Loraine |
4-2 |
0-0 |
|
Trent |
2-4 |
0-0 |
|
Blackwell |
1-5 |
0-0 |
|
TLCA Abilene |
1-5 |
0-0 |
|
Olfen |
0-4 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 8-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Benjamin |
6-0 |
0-0 |
|
Rule |
3-1 |
0-0 |
|
Chillicothe |
1-4 |
0-0 |
|
Harrold |
0-2 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 9-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Throckmorton |
6-0 |
0-0 |
|
Paint Creek |
4-1 |
0-0 |
|
Woodson |
2-2 |
0-0 |
|
Lueders-Avoca |
0-4 |
0-0 |
|
Moran |
0-4 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 15-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Blanket |
5-1 |
0-0 |
|
Rising Star |
3-2 |
0-0 |
|
Panther Creek |
2-3 |
0-0 |
|
Sidney |
1-4 |
0-0 |
|
Brookesmith |
1-5 |
0-0 |
|
DISTRICT 1-TAPPS 6M DIV. III |
||
|
Lubbock Kingdom Prep |
3-2 |
2-0 |
|
Lubbock All Saints |
3-2 |
1-1 |
|
Abilene Christian |
2-3 |
1-1 |
|
Wichita Falls Christian |
3-1 |
0-1 |
|
Lubbock Christ the King |
2-3 |
0-1 |
COLLEGE ROUND-UP
The Wildcats led the Bears 14-0 early and 21-14 at the half, but could not stop Central Arkansas in the second half on their way to a 42-21 loss. UCA scored 35 unanswered points after falling behind 21-7 in the second quarter. The Wildcats next game is another conference contest, this time on the road at Eastern Kentucky.
#7 Hardin-Simmons 24, McMurry 21
McMurry came out with all the energy and led HSU after one quarter and at the half, but the Cowboys did enough to escape with a 24-21 win over their crosstown rivals at Shelton Stadium Saturday afternoon. The War Hawks fall to 1-3 while Hardin-Simmons improves to 4-1. Both teams are off this week. Hardin-Simmons will travel to East Texas Baptist on October 16 while McMurry prepares for Homecoming against Austin College.
Here are a few of my better photos from the Cowboy win.
Howard Payne 73, Sul Ross State 30
It certainly was a happy Homecoming in Brownwood as the Yellow Jackets blasted the Lobos to improve to 5-0 for the first time in 19 years. Quarterback Landon McKinney, a two-time ASC offensive player of the week already in 2021, staked his claim to win the award for a third time with a 335 yard, six touchdown pass (tying a school-record) effort in the win. HPU is off this week and returns to action at Southwestern on October 16.
#4 Trinity Valley 34, Cisco 31
The Wranglers came up a field goal shy of upsetting the Cardinals on the road. Cisco has dropped two straight conference games by a combined four points and will return home to face Kilgore Saturday afternoon.
|
ASUN-WAC CHALLENGE |
Overall |
Conf |
|
Sam Houston State |
4-0 |
2-0 |
|
Eastern Kentucky |
3-2 |
0-0 |
|
Jacksonville State |
2-3 |
0-0 |
|
Tarleton State |
2-3 |
0-0 |
|
Lamar |
1-2 |
0-0 |
|
Dixie State |
0-4 |
0-0 |
|
Central Arkansas |
2-3 |
1-1 |
|
Abilene Christian |
3-2 |
0-1 |
|
Stephen F. Austin |
3-2 |
0-1 |
|
AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE |
Overall |
Conf |
|
Howard Payne |
5-0 |
4-0 |
|
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
5-0 |
4-0 |
|
Hardin-Simmons |
4-1 |
3-1 |
|
Belhaven |
3-2 |
2-2 |
|
East Texas Baptist |
3-2 |
2-2 |
|
Austin College |
1-3 |
1-3 |
|
McMurry |
1-3 |
1-3 |
|
Sul Ross State |
1-3 |
1-3 |
|
Southwestern |
1-4 |
1-3 |
|
Texas Lutheran |
1-4 |
1-3 |
|
SWJCFC |
Overall |
Conf |
|
NMMI |
5-0 |
3-0 |
|
Trinity Valley |
5-0 |
3-0 |
|
Kilgore |
3-2 |
2-2 |
|
Tyler |
2-2 |
1-1 |
|
Blinn |
2-2 |
1-2 |
|
NE Oklahoma A&M |
2-2 |
1-2 |
|
Navarro |
2-3 |
1-3 |
|
Cisco |
1-3 |
0-2 |
