Week 7 Rewind
Big Country A to Z
Abilene High was off Friday and returns to play with a key district road game at Frenship this week.
Abilene Christian did not play this week. They will resume district play at Lubbock All Saints Friday at 4 p.m.
Albany continues to dominate all comers, blowing past Meridian 84-7 to kickoff district play. I’m not a betting man, but the Lions were favored by 70 according the to the DCTF computers and actually covered the spread! Albany led 28-0 after one and 48-7 at the half on their way to the victory. They picked up 635 yards of offense, 415 rushing, and had five players run for at least 40 yards, led by 94 from Coy Lefevre on four carries. The Lions improve to 6-0 and will host Hico this week.
Anson controlled the second half against Stamford, turning a 26-21 halftime deficit into a 41-26 victory to kickoff District 3-2A Division I play on the road. The Tigers got a big all-around effort from Dylyn Pyle and Blake Vinson threw for three touchdown passes. Hayden Henager ran for two touchdowns and threw for another on a halfback pass to lead the Bulldogs, who have another tough game ahead of them Friday night against Hawley. Anson will host #10 Forsan.
Aspermont ended Hermleigh’s shut out streak at four games, but it wasn’t nearly enough as the Cardinals prevailed 53-6. Unbeaten Hermleigh has 45’d all seven opponents so far this season and will head to Roby this week. Aspermont is off Friday night and falls to 2-5.
Baird dominated Santa Anna 72-24 in a battle of unbeaten District 13-1A Division I teams Friday night. The Bears led 30-12 after one and 50-18 at the half on their way to the win to improve to 5-0. The Mountaineers now have their backs against the wall in the playoff race as they fall to 6-1, 0-1 with a home game against #1 May coming up Friday. Baird is headed out of non-district play and will visit offensive juggernaut Fort Worth Covenant Classical, who has a 119-112 loss to Richland Springs and a 114-97 loss to Strawn this season.
Ballinger fell victim to Brady in a bit of an upset to begin District 2-3A Division II play Friday night. The Bulldogs scored the last 13 points of the game in the final four minutes to turn a 41-41 tie into a 54-41 victory. Ballinger drops to 3-2, 1-1 and will head to Grape Creek this week. Brady will visit Sonora.
Bangs had its closest battle of the season, but came up short at home 17-14 to Grape Creek. The Dragons were ahead 14-9 at the break but did not get on the scoreboard in the second half and were held under 200 yards of total offense, 176, in the ballgame.
Blackwell picked up a forfeit win over Olfen to begin the district schedule.
Blanket kept rolling in 2021, winning the district opener over Rising Star 58-0 Thursday night. The Tigers have won four in a row to improve to 6-1, 1-0 while the Wildcats drop to 3-3, 0-1. Brayden Day ran for 152 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Tigers, who allowed just 73 yards of offense in the win. Blanket is off this week and returns to the field Oct. 22 at Sidney. Rising Star hosts Sidney Oct. 15.
Breckenridge held off Clyde 44-29 in the district opener for both squads. The Buckaroos saw a 32-14 third quarter lead shrink to as little as 32-29 heading into the fourth, but outscored the Bulldogs 13-0 the rest of the way to pick up the win. Jerry Lawson ran for four touchdowns to lead the Breckenridge attack, while Blake Carr threw for over 300 yards and played a role in four touchdowns for Clyde.
Brookesmith had the week off and will get back to the field to start their district title defense at Panther Creek.
Konlyn Anderson (Photo: Derrick Stuckly/Brownwoodnews.com)
Brownwood made it a ballgame against #9 Midlothian Heritage, but ended up on the short end of a 43-25 decision to drop to 2-4 on the season and 0-1 in district play. Heritage led 22-0 before the Lions got on the board and pulled as close as 22-13 in the third. That was as close as Brownwood would get, as the Jaguars racked up 512 yards and held the Lions to 331. Konlyn Anderson had another strong outing, rushing for 142 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
Cisco kicked off district play with a dominating 54-6 win at Winters. The Loboes played their first 2A opponent of the season after going 4-1 against 3A teams in non-district play. Cisco scored the first 20 points of the game and rolled up over 500 yards of offense in the win.
Coleman continues to play great football, staying unbeaten with a 47-0 district opening victory at De Leon. The Bluecats gained 415 of their 458 yards via the run, led by 166 yards and two scores by Ryland Gentry. Coleman now has three shutouts in their five victories this season.
Colorado City gave #10 Forsan all they could handle but ended up on the short end of a 27-7 decision. The Wolves and Buffaloes were tied 7-7 at the half, but the Buffs scored the only points of the second half to stay perfect on the season. Colorado City falls to 0-5 on the season.
52 Darrius Sherrod and 46 Jacob Deax bring down Arlington Heights QB Zac Garcia (Photo: Cody Coil/Big Country Blitz)
Touchdown catch by Cooper’s Cam Herron (Photo: Cody Coil/Big Country Blitz)
Cooper dominated defensively in a 43-0 district victory over Arlington Heights. The Cougars only allowed 46 yards in the game, the second fewest they have given up in a game in program history (the record is 31 yards to Sweetwater in 1961). Cooper wasn’t great on offense, but did more than enough to get to job done. The Cougars led 20-0 at the half thanks to a pair of Chris Warren to Cam Herron touchdown passes and added 16 more in the third quarter to put things away. Warren threw for 189 yards and three touchdowns and Herron had six grabs for 115 yards and the two scores. The Cougars improve to 4-2, 2-1 and will play at Fort Worth Brewer Friday night.
Cross Plains fell victim to the upset in their district opener, falling 14-6 in a defensive struggle against Hico. The Buffaloes were held to under 200 yards of offense and turned the ball over four times in the loss.
Early saw their perfect run come to an end in a 48-7 loss at Jim Ned in the district opener for both teams. The Indians led 21-0 after one and 35-0 before the Longhorns got on the board. Big Country Blitz cover athlete Xavier Wishert continued his strong senior season, rushing for 215 yards and three touchdowns. Tate Yardley went 7-9 passing for 109 yards and ran for 17 yards and the other three Jim Ned offensive touchdowns. Sergio Hernandez returned an interception for a touchdown for the second straight week. Jim Ned limited star Early quarterback Jaxyn Price to just 15 yards passing. He had to leave the game with an injury in the second quarter and did not return. The top-ranked Indians now get set to play at Wall in a game that could very well decide the district title. Early hopes to bounce back against Breckenridge.
Eastland turned in another great effort offensively in a 48-27 district opening victory over Millsap. The Mavericks were balanced on offense, running for 261 yards and throwing for 219 on their way to the win. Eastland led 34-27 heading into the fourth and dominated the final 12 minutes on the way to the win.
Hamlin suffered its worst loss so far of a rough season, dropping the District 5-2A Division II opener to Ralls 68-0. The Pied Pipers could only muster 18 yards of total offense as they fall to 0-7, 0-1.
Hawley had no trouble at home against Haskell, beating the Indians 43-0 in the district opener for both squads. The Bearcats led just 6-0 after one quarter, but put 27 points on the board in the second quarter on their way to the win. Lawson Bailey led Hawley on the ground with 81 yards and a touchdown, while Rodey Hooper competed 12 of 18 passes for 175 with a pair of touchdown passes to Aeneas Segura and Diontay Ramon.
Highland only got to play for a half in a 54-0 district opening loss at home to Westbrook. The Wildcats snapped a three-game losing streak and, in turn, handed the Hornets their third loss in a row. Highland has another rough game on the schedule at home against Sterling City, while Westbrook heads into its bye week.
Ira RB Cody McCowen (Photo: SMcCowen Photography)
Photo: SMcCowen Photography
Ira traveled to Roby and handed the Lions a 54-8 loss in the first district ballgame for both teams. The Bulldogs have now won five games in a row, while Roby has dropped three straight.
Loraine started district play with a 62-0 shutout win at Trent. The Bulldogs played like the District 6-1A Division I favorites they are and head into a bye week with a 4-3, 1-0 record. Trent hopes to bounce back at Olfen, if the Mustangs are able to play this week.
Lueders-Avoca could not take down state-ranked Throckmorton, falling to the Greyhounds 66-20 in the district opener for both teams. The Raiders fall to 0-5, 0-1 and will be off this week before returning to play at Moran Oct. 22. Despite their record, the Raiders should be in contention for the second playoff spot out of 9-1A Division II as the season goes on.
May continues to play a-May-zing football in 2021. The #1 ranked Tigers took down Gorman 54-0 Thursday to get off to a great start in District 13-1A Division I play. May was dominating on defense once again, allowing just 34 yards, forcing four turnovers and scoring on two of them. The Tigers will visit Santa Anna Friday night.
Merkel led Jacksboro 14-12 in the third quarter but could not hold on, falling to the Tigers 20-14 in their District 5-3A Division II opener. The Badgers only put up 171 yards of total offense in the loss. Merkel heads to Millsap this week, hoping to even its district mark at 1-1.
Moran snapped a 14-game losing streak with a dominating 70-12 district victory at Paint Creek. The Pirates have dropped two in a row after getting out to a 4-0 start to the season. The Bulldogs, who had only scored 12 points the entire season, led 24-0 after one quarter on their way to the win. They visit Woodson this week. Paint Creek will play at Throckmorton.
Ranger picked up a road victory at Zephyr 51-16 to improve to 2-4 on the season. Zephyr falls to 0-7 on the season and will open district play at home against unbeaten Lometa Friday. Ranger will host Bryson.
Roscoe was off this week and will begin their run in District 5-2A Division II on the road at Ralls Friday in a game with big-time district championship implications.
Rotan enjoyed its open week and begins what they hope is a run to the playoffs at defending district champ Ira.
Rule WR Bryson Silvas (Photo: Bobbie Brown/Texas 1A Fan)
Rule lost a second straight ballgame, coming up short against unbeaten Loop 61-34 in Hermleigh Thursday night. The Bobcats trailed just 16-8 at the half but could not overcome the Longhorns in the final two quarters. Rule is now 3-2 and heading into a bye week before the district opener at Harrold on Oct. 22.
Snyder came up short against rival Sweetwater, falling at the Mustang Bowl 42-37 in the District 1-4A Division II opener for both teams. The Tigers led 14-7 after one but Sweetwater rallied to tie the game at 21 at the half. Snyder went ahead 28-21 in the third but that would be their last lead, as the Mustangs outscored them 21-9 the rest of the way. Leo Holsey went 19-29 for 252 yards and a touchdown passing, 115 and a touchdown on seven catches went to Harrison Foster, and ran for 65 yards and three scores to lead the Mustangs. Jorge Martinez led the Tigers with 235 yards and three touchdowns rushing. The Tigers host unbeaten Monahans this week, while Sweetwater heads to Midland Greenwood.
TLCA Abilene did not play. The Eagles will kickoff District 6-1A Division II action Friday night at Blackwell.
Wylie could not keep up with state-ranked Wichita Falls Rider, falling at home to the Raiders 34-19 in their District 3-5A Division II opener. The Bulldogs trailed just 21-19 heading into the fourth, but saw Rider score all the points in the final quarter to pick up the win. Wylie was outgained 447-314 in the loss. They visit 1-5 Wichita Falls this week, while Rider hosts Lubbock Cooper in a battle of state ranked teams that may very well decide the district championship.
Still Perfect
Seven unbeaten Big Country teams remain after seven weeks as Early and Santa Anna lost games Friday night.
Biggest Wins
1 - Sweetwater 42, Snyder 37: The Mustangs beat their rivals in a key district matchup.
2 - Baird 72, Santa Anna 24: The Bears stay perfect and get a leg-up in the playoff race.
3 - Cooper 43, Arlington Heights 0: Dominating defense helps the Cougars win their second straight.
4 - Anson 41, Stamford 26: The Tigers rally past their rivals to put themselves in a tie atop the district standings.
5 - Breckenridge 44, Clyde 29: The Bucks get a win that could end up deciding a playoff spot.
6 - Jim Ned 48, Early 7: The Indians prove they’re still the team to beat in the district.
UP NEXT
Abilene High at Frenship
Permian at Midland
Midland Legacy at Odessa
Cooper at Brewer
Arlington Heights at Saginaw
Azle at Granbury
Northwest at Crowley
Wylie at Wichita Falls
Plainview at Canyon Randall
Lubbock Cooper at Wichita Falls Rider
Waco La Vega at Brownwood
Alvarado at Stephenville
Waxahachie Life at Midlothian Heritage
Monahans at Snyder
Sweetwater at Midland Greenwood
Breckenridge at Early
Clyde at TLCA San Angelo
Jim Ned at Wall
Ballinger at Grape Creek
Bangs at Ingram Moore
Brady at Sonora
Comanche at Eastland
Jacksboro at Dublin
Merkel at Millsap
Forsan at Anson
Colorado City at Haskell
Hawley at Stamford
De Leon at Cisco
Coleman at Goldthwaite
Winters at San Saba
Hamlin at Crosbyton
Roscoe at Ralls
Hico at Albany
Cross Plains at Santo
Roby at Hermleigh
Rotan at Ira
Sterling City at Highland
Robert Lee at Bronte
Baird at Fort Worth Covenant
Lingleville at Gorman
May at Santa Anna
Zephyr at Lometa
TLCA Abilene at Blackwell
Olfen at Trent
Moran at Woodson
Paint Creek at Throckmorton
Brookesmith at Panther Creek
Sidney at Rising Star
Bryson at Ranger
Abilene Christian at Lubbock All Saints
OPEN: Aspermont, Blanket, Loraine, Lueders-Avoca, Rule, Westbrook
District Standings
|
DISTRICT 2-6A |
District |
Overall |
|
Midland Legacy |
2-0 |
5-1 |
|
Odessa Permian |
2-1 |
5-2 |
|
Abilene High |
1-1 |
3-3 |
|
Midland |
1-1 |
2-4 |
|
Frenship |
1-2 |
4-3 |
|
Odessa |
1-2 |
3-4 |
|
San Angelo Central |
1-2 |
3-4 |
|
DISTRICT 3-5A DIVISION I |
||
|
Azle |
3-0 |
5-1 |
|
Brewer |
3-0 |
5-1 |
|
Northwest |
3-0 |
4-2 |
|
Cooper |
2-1 |
4-2 |
|
Granbury |
1-2 |
3-3 |
|
FW Arlington Heights |
0-3 |
1-5 |
|
Saginaw |
0-3 |
1-5 |
|
Crowley |
0-6 |
0-3 |
|
DISTRICT 3-5A DIVISION II |
||
|
Wichita Falls Rider |
1-0 |
6-0 |
|
Lubbock Cooper |
1-0 |
5-1 |
|
Canyon Randall |
1-0 |
4-2 |
|
Wylie |
0-1 |
2-4 |
|
Plainview |
0-1 |
1-5 |
|
Wichita Falls |
0-1 |
1-5 |
|
DISTRICT 5-4A DIVISION I |
||
|
Stephenville |
1-0 |
6-0 |
|
Midlothian Heritage |
1-0 |
5-1 |
|
Alvarado |
1-0 |
2-4 |
|
La Vega |
0-1 |
3-3 |
|
Brownwood |
0-1 |
2-4 |
|
Waxahachie Life |
0-1 |
1-5 |
|
DISTRICT 1-4A DIVISION II |
||
|
Sweetwater |
1-0 |
4-3 |
|
Midland Greenwood |
1-0 |
3-3 |
|
Monahans |
0-0 |
6-0 |
|
Snyder |
0-1 |
5-2 |
|
Pecos |
0-1 |
4-3 |
|
DISTRICT 3-3A DIVISION I |
||
|
Jim Ned |
1-0 |
6-0 |
|
Wall |
1-0 |
3-2 |
|
Breckenridge |
1-0 |
2-4 |
|
Early |
0-1 |
5-1 |
|
Clyde |
0-1 |
0-6 |
|
TLCA San Angelo |
0-1 |
0-6 |
|
DISTRICT 2-3A DIVISION II |
||
|
Brady |
1-0 |
3-2 |
|
Sonora |
1-0 |
3-3 |
|
Grape Creek |
1-0 |
2-4 |
|
Ballinger |
0-1 |
3-2 |
|
Ingram Moore |
0-1 |
2-4 |
|
Bangs |
0-1 |
0-5 |
|
DISTRICT 5-3A DIVISION II |
||
|
Dublin |
1-0 |
5-1 |
|
Jacksboro |
1-0 |
3-2 |
|
Eastland |
1-0 |
2-4 |
|
Merkel |
0-1 |
3-3 |
|
Millsap |
0-1 |
2-4 |
|
Comanche |
0-1 |
0-6 |
|
DISTRICT 3-2A DIVISION I |
||
|
Forsan |
1-0 |
6-0 |
|
Hawley |
1-0 |
6-0 |
|
Anson |
1-0 |
3-3 |
|
Haskell |
0-1 |
2-4 |
|
Stamford |
0-1 |
2-4 |
|
Colorado City |
0-1 |
0-5 |
|
DISTRICT 4A-2A DIVISION I |
||
|
Coleman |
1-0 |
5-0 |
|
Cisco |
1-0 |
5-1 |
|
Goldthwaite |
1-0 |
3-3 |
|
Winters |
0-1 |
1-4 |
|
De Leon |
0-1 |
0-6 |
|
San Saba |
0-1 |
0-6 |
|
DISTRICT 5-2A DIVISION II |
||
|
Lockney |
1-0 |
6-1 |
|
Ralls |
1-0 |
4-3 |
|
Roscoe |
0-0 |
5-1 |
|
Crosbyton |
0-1 |
3-4 |
|
Hamlin |
0-1 |
0-7 |
|
DISTRICT 8-2A DIVISION II |
||
|
Albany |
1-0 |
6-0 |
|
Hico |
1-0 |
4-3 |
|
Santo |
0-0 |
6-0 |
|
Cross Plains |
0-1 |
4-2 |
|
Meridian |
0-1 |
1-6 |
|
DISTRICT 7-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Hermleigh |
1-0 |
7-0 |
|
Ira |
1-0 |
5-1 |
|
Rotan |
0-0 |
5-1 |
|
Roby |
0-1 |
3-3 |
|
Aspermont |
0-1 |
2-5 |
|
DISTRICT 8-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Sterling City |
1-0 |
6-1 |
|
Westbrook |
1-0 |
3-4 |
|
Robert Lee |
0-0 |
2-4 |
|
Highland |
0-1 |
3-4 |
|
Bronte |
0-1 |
0-6 |
|
DISTRICT 13-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
May |
1-0 |
7-0 |
|
Baird |
1-0 |
5-0 |
|
Lingleville |
0-0 |
4-1 |
|
Santa Anna |
0-1 |
6-1 |
|
Gorman |
0-1 |
4-2 |
|
DISTRICT 15-1A DIVISION I |
||
|
Jonesboro |
0-0 |
7-0 |
|
Lometa |
0-0 |
5-0 |
|
Evant |
0-0 |
4-3 |
|
Zephyr |
0-0 |
0-7 |
|
DISTRICT 6-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Loraine |
1-0 |
4-3 |
|
Blackwell |
1-0 |
2-5 |
|
TLCA Abilene |
0-0 |
1-5 |
|
Trent |
0-1 |
2-5 |
|
Olfen |
0-1 |
0-5 |
|
DISTRICT 8-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Benjamin |
0-0 |
7-0 |
|
Rule |
0-0 |
3-2 |
|
Chillicothe |
0-0 |
1-5 |
|
Harrold |
0-0 |
0-3 |
|
DISTRICT 9-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Throckmorton |
1-0 |
7-0 |
|
Moran |
1-0 |
1-4 |
|
Woodson |
0-0 |
2-3 |
|
Paint Creek |
0-1 |
4-2 |
|
Lueders-Avoca |
0-1 |
0-5 |
|
DISTRICT 15-1A DIVISION II |
||
|
Blanket |
1-0 |
6-1 |
|
Sidney |
1-0 |
2-4 |
|
Brookesmith |
0-0 |
1-5 |
|
Rising Star |
0-1 |
3-3 |
|
Panther Creek |
0-1 |
2-4 |
College Round-UP
ACU dropped a second straight college game, losing 30-15 at Eastern Kentucky. The Wildcats got as close as 10-7 in the second quarter after falling behind 10-0, but saw the Colonels score the next 20 points to pull away. ACU will play Lamar for the second time this season on Saturday, and this game will count in the conference standings. The Wildcats blasted the Cardinals 56-0 in Beaumont on September 25.
Cisco earned its first conference win of the season in a 38-14 blowout of Kilgore. The Wranglers are home again Saturday at 1 p.m. against Northeastern Oklahoma A&M.
Hardin-Simmons, Howard Payne and McMurry were off Saturday. HSU visits East Texas Baptist next week, Howard Payne plays at Southwestern and McMurry hosts Austin College.
Conference standings
|
ASUN-WAC CHALLENGE |
Conf |
Overall |
|
Sam Houston State |
3-0 |
5-0 |
|
Eastern Kentucky |
1-0 |
4-2 |
|
Jacksonville State |
1-0 |
3-3 |
|
Central Arkansas |
1-1 |
2-3 |
|
Lamar |
0-1 |
1-3 |
|
Abilene Christian |
0-2 |
3-3 |
|
Stephen F. Austin |
0-2 |
3-3 |
|
AMERICAN SOUTHWEST CONFERENCE |
Conf |
Overall |
|
Howard Payne |
4-0 |
5-0 |
|
Mary Hardin-Baylor |
4-0 |
5-0 |
|
Hardin-Simmons |
3-1 |
4-1 |
|
Belhaven |
2-2 |
3-2 |
|
East Texas Baptist |
2-2 |
3-2 |
|
Austin College |
1-3 |
1-3 |
|
McMurry |
1-3 |
1-3 |
|
Sul Ross State |
1-3 |
1-3 |
|
Southwestern |
1-3 |
1-4 |
|
Texas Lutheran |
1-3 |
1-4 |
|
SWJCFC |
Conf |
Overall |
|
NMMI |
3-0 |
5-0 |
|
Trinity Valley |
3-0 |
5-0 |
|
Blinn |
2-2 |
3-2 |
|
Tyler |
1-1 |
3-2 |
|
Kilgore |
2-3 |
3-3 |
|
Cisco |
1-2 |
2-3 |
|
NEO A&M |
1-2 |
2-3 |
|
Navarro |
1-4 |
2-4 |
