RICHLAND SPRINGS – In the third-highest scoring game in Texas six-man football history, the Class A Division II No. 10 Richland Springs Coyotes ran their win streak to three games by outlasting the Fort Worth Covenant Classical Cavaliers, 119-112, Friday.
Only Campbell’s 125-122 win over Fannidel in 2017 (247 points) and Fort Davis’ 124-108 win over Midland Christian in 2011 (232 points) produced more points than the 231 put up by the Coyotes and Cavaliers – with 80 points being scored in the fourth quarter alone.
The two teams combined for 1,651 yards of total offense as Richland Springs (3-1) generated 798 yards, including 675 rushing. Meanwhile, Covenant (3-1) finished with 853 yards, with 746 yards coming through the air. There was just one turnover combined between the two squads.
Richland Springs’ Jadeyn Bryant rushed for 523 yards and 12 touchdowns on 31 carries, averaging 16.9 yards per tote. Bryant also completed 5 of 8 passes for 114 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
Zane Capps added 130 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and caught two passes for 11 yards, while Nick Nilson grabbed two passes for 58 yards and a score. Cohen Tharp chipped in a 31-yard reception, Jayden Sutherland caught a 23-yard pass and Keston Lusty rushed for 25 yards.
Lusty led Richland Springs with 10.5 tackles followed by Nilson with 7.5, Bryant with 6, Sutherland with 5, Capps with 4.5, and Brandon Stewart with four tackles.
Covenant’s Lanham Briley connected on 29 of 54 pass attempts for 729 yards and 12 touchdowns. Whit Jewett hauled in 17 catches for 504 yards and nine scores, while Nate Bennett added five receptions for 148 yards and two trips to the end zone. Joshua Sapp added an 18-yard scoring reception and rushed for a touchdown as well, while Jewett also contributed a touchdown on the ground.
The Coyotes, who trailed by as many as 11 points, scored 46 points in the fourth period to rally for the win. Trailing 98-97 with just under six minutes left, Richland Springs recorded back-to-back touchdowns on runs of 9 and 35 yards by Bryant as the Coyotes grabbed a 113-98 advantage with 3:24 left.
Richland Springs faced deficits of 32-21 and 54-43 before the first half ended, though the Coyotes closed the gap to 54-51 at halftime. After three quarters, however, the Coyotes were in a 78-73 hole.
Next week, Richland Springs has another bye. The Coyotes begin their quest for a 20th consecutive district championship and 78th straight league win Oct. 8 against Rochelle (4-1), which suffered its first loss Friday, 69-20, to undefeated Lometa.