RICHLAND SPRINGS – The Richland Springs Coyotes began their quest for a 20th consecutive district championship with their 78th straight win against a league foe, downing the Rochelle Hornets, 79-30, Friday night in the 15-A Division II opener for both squads.
Richland Springs (4-1, 1-0) jumped out to a 35-8 lead over Rochelle (5-2, 0-1) in the first quarter, which grew to 57-16 by halftime. The game was called with 4:24 left in the third quarter due to the 45-point mercy rule.
The Coyotes manufactured 380 yards of total offense – 265 rushing and 115 passing – and did not commit a turnover, while allowing 224 yards – 203 through the air and 21 on the ground – with one takeaway.
Jadeyn Bryant rushed for 185 yards and four scores, passed for 115 yards and three more touchdowns, and returned a kickoff 42 yards for six points to spark the Coyotes. Keston Lusty chipped in 45 yards rushing and a touchdown and Zane Capps added 35 yards on the ground and reached the end zone once. Cohen Tharp caught two passes, both touchdowns, covering 70 yards, and Capps finished with two grabs for 45 yards with a score.
Defensively for the Coyotes, Capps amassed a team-best 11.5 tackles followed by Bryant with 8, Lusty with 5.5, Brandon Stewart with 4.5, Nick Nilson with 3.5, Kenny Triplett with 3 and Jayden Sutherland with one. Bryant chipped in four tackles for loss and two sacks, both team-highs.
Next week, Richland Springs journeys to Cherokee (4-2, 1-0), which is fresh off a 92-42 victory over Mullin.
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Coleman 47, De Leon 0
DE LEON – The Coleman Bluecats compiled their fifth straight victory to start the season, as they pummeled the winless De Leon Bearcats, 47-0, Friday in the District 4-2A Division I opener for both teams.
Coleman (5-0, 1-0) generated 458 yards of total offense, with 415 coming on the ground, with no turnovers while limiting De Leon (0-6, 0-1) to 178 yards – including just 20 yards on the ground on 27 carries – with a pair of takeaways.
Ryland Gentry rushed for 166 yards and two touchdowns, Jadin Jackson chipped in 92 yards and a pair of scores, and Devinar Roberson finished with 84 yards and two trips to the end zone. R.J. Wright also contributed a 40-yard scoring sprint.
Jackson completed 4 of 13 passes for 42 yards with Braxton Smith grabbing a team-best two catches for 32 yards.
Defensively for the Bluecats, Gentry led the way with 9 tackles included 2 for loss followed by Robert Wright with seven tackles and a fumble recovery. Brent Bouldin added seven tackles including a pair for loss, David Navarro registered seven tackles with one for loss, and Dayden Hunter pounced on a fumble for Coleman.
Next week, Coleman makes the drive to face Goldthwate (3-3, 1-0), which edged San Saba, 28-26, Thursday.
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Hico 14, Cross Plains 6
CROSS PLAINS – The Cross Plains Buffaloes’ three-game win streak came to a conclusion Friday night as the Hico Tigers pulled off a 14-6 upset to open District 8-2A Division II action for both teams.
Hico (4-3, 1-0) scored the first points in the second quarter and added a two-point try, while Cross Plains (4-2, 0-1) responded with a 10-yard touchdown run by Ryan Hopkins, but the two-point attempt failed. The only points after halftime came on a Hico interception return for a touchdown in the third quarter.
The Buffaloes committed four turnovers – all interceptions – and finished 231 yards of total offense, with 132 yards coming on the ground. The Tigers landed in the win column despite mustering just 173 total yards – 87 rushing and 86 passing – with only one turnover.
Dusty Wyatt rushed for a team-high 56 yards for Cross Plains, Hopkins added 40 and Noah Moses finished with 39 yards on the ground.
Kade Purvis passed for 119 yards, completing 14 of 24 attempts with four picks. Leading receivers were Hopkins with six for 71 yards and Moses with three grabs for 14 yards.
Next week, Cross Plains will attempt to rebound against Santo (6-0, 0-0), whose district bye fell Friday night.
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Dublin 26, Comanche 21
COMANCHE – The Comanche Indians came up just short in their bid to start District 5-3A Division II action with their first win of the season as the Dublin Lions rallied late for a 26-21 victory.
Comanche (0-6, 0-1) finished with 370 yards against Dublin (5-1, 1-0), as Hudson Welch passed for 216 yards and two touchdowns while a quartet of backs, led by Luke Wilson’s 84 yards and a touchdown, combined to pick up 154 on the ground. Miguel Martinez rushed for 54 yards and caught four passes for 39 yards, Kyler Beaty led the Indians with six receptions for 107 yards and a score, and Layden Welch hauled in a 60-yard scoring reception.
Next week, Comanche travels to Eastland (2-4, 1-0), which knocked off Millsap, 48-27, Friday night.
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Ranger 52, Zephyr 16
ZEPHYR – The Zephyr Bulldogs remained winless on the season Friday, dropping their pre-district finale and homecoming contest to the Ranger Bulldogs, 52-16.
Ranger (2-4) is playing an outlaw schedule this season after deciding to drop down to the six-man ranks prior to the start of the current school.
Zephyr (0-7) opens District 15-A Division II action next week at undefeated Lometa (5-0).
Stats from Friday’s game were unavailable.