As the push for a trip to AT&T Stadium and the UIL state championships hits high gear, the following are brief looks at the seven bi-district football games that include teams in the BrownwoodNews.com coverage area:
Class A Division I Bi-District
May (10-0) vs. Irion County (8-2)
7 p.m. Thursday at Robert Lee
The Class A Division I No. 1 May Tigers begin the postseason portion of their quest to return to Arlington as they battle the District 14-A runner-up Irion County Hornets.
Fresh off their sixth straight district championship, the Tigers have defeated Borden County (51-6), Sterling City (104-80), Knox City (65-16), Evant (63-6), Blum (77-14), and Newcastle (55-0), as well as District 13 foes Gorman (54-0), Santa Anna (58-0), Baird (82-34), and Lingleville (54-8).
Irion County defeated Eden (91-62) last week to clinch the second playoff seed from District 14. The losses for the Hornets came in the season opener against Buena Vista (84-73) and to No. 2 Water Valley (78-32) in the district opener.
For the season, the Tigers are averaging 66 points and 296 yards – 178 rushing and 118 passing – per game, while giving up 17 points per contest.
Leading the way on the ground are Kaden Halk (604 yards, 13 TDs), Avery Williford (482 yards, 14 TDs), Blake Harrell (353 yards, 9 TDs), and Damian Salinas (158 yards, 5 TDs).
Through the air, Harrell has completed 35 of 59 passes for 864 yards with 17 touchdowns, while Luke McKenzie has connected 16 of 25 attempts for 270 yards with nine scoring tosses.
Top receiving threats include Halk (13-247, 6 TDs), Williford (9-278, 5 TDs), Kaysen King (9-224, 4 TDs), and Brian Kunkel (6-132, 3 TDs).
Defensively – where the Tigers have forced 38 turnovers and produced 12 touchdowns thus far, including at least one in nine of 10 games – top tacklers are Salinas (75 tackles, 5.5 for loss, 4 INTs, 3 FRs), Williford (64 tackles, 24.5 for loss, 4 FRs), Harrell (64 tackles, 9.5 for loss, 3 FRs), Kunkel (53 tackles, 8 for loss, 4 FRs), King (41 tackles, 7 for loss, 1 INT, 4 FRs), and Halk (40 tackles, 3 for loss, 3 INTs, 3 FRs).
According to sixmanfootball.com, May is a 45-point favorite.
Thursday’s winner will face either No. 4 Jonesboro (10-0) or Leakey (6-3) in the Region IV semifinals next week.
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Class A Division II Bi-District
Blanket (9-1) vs. Cherokee (6-3)
7:30 p.m. Thursday at Zephyr
The District 15-A Division II champion Blanket Tigers look to extend their win streak to eight games as they clash with the District 16 runner-up Cherokee Indians in first-round playoff action.
The Tigers’ seven straight victories have come against Zephyr (61-0), Gholson (68-0), Evant (42-30), Rising Star (58-0), Sidney (70-40), Brookesmith (via forfeit), and Panther Creek (45-0).
Cherokee’s lone district blemish came at the hands of No. 3 Richland Springs (92-70), while the Indians dropped non-district contests against Medina (72-40) and Burnet Smoking for Jesus Christian (89-54) – their first two games of the season.
Blanket is averaging 47 points and 214 yards – 187 rushing and 27 passing – per game, while giving up 19 points per outing. The Tigers have also forced 28 turnovers.
The Tigers’ ground attack features Brayden Day (1,214 rushing yards, 26 TDs), Carlos Morales (626 rushing yards, 14 TDs), and Levi Vazquez (572 yards, 11 TDs).
Through the air, Brennan Varner has completed 19 of 37 passes for 353 yards with four scoring tosses. Morales (8-128), Ayden Wheeler (4-113, 3 TDs), Mark Yeats (4-55, TD) and Hayden Rodgers (3-29, TD) are among the top receiving threats.
Defensively, leading tacklers are Day (81 tackles, 2 FR, 5 INTs), Morales (59 tackles, 2 FR, 3 INTs), Rodgers (55 tackles, 1 FR), Vazquez (48 tackles, 3 INT, 4 FRs), Yeats (32 tackles, 1 FR), and Wheeler (19 tackles, 4 FRs).
According to sixmanfootball.com, Blanket is a 31-point underdog.
Thursday’s winner will face either Oakwood (6-3) or Mount Calm (5-3) in the Region IV semifinals next week.
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Class 2A Division I Region I Bi-District
Coleman (9-0) vs Anson (4-6)
7 p.m. Thursday at Abilene Wylie
The undefeated, fifth-ranked, District 4-2A Division I champion Coleman Bluecats kick off their postseason run against the District 3 fourth seed Anson Tigers in a rematch from Week 2.
Coleman won the first meeting, 33-6, as the Bluecats manufactured 581 yards of total offense – 401 rushing and 180 passing.
The Bluecats scored on passes of 54 and 73 yards from Jadin Jackson to Devinar Roberson in the first quarter, a 28-yard Christian Villeda field goal and a 60-yard Ryland Gentry sprint in the second, and another 26-yard run from Gentry along with a 33-yard boot from Villeda in the fourth.
Anson mustered its only points in the second period on a 15-yard touchdown pass.
Jackson finished with 180 yards passing and a pair of scores while Gentry rushed for 170 yards with two trips to the end zone. Jackson also chipped in 91 yards on the ground while R.J. Wright added 24 rushing yards. Along with Roberson’s 127 receiving yards and two scores on two catches, Gentry hauled in a 22-yard reception, and Braxton Smith finished with two grabs for 20 yards.
Anson – which averages 22 points and allows 28 on average – is led by quarterback Blake Vinson (1,044 passing yards, 9 TDs), running back Riley Pippin (809 rushing yards, 6 TDs); and receivers Stryker Dillard (37-449, 3 TDs), Dylyn Pyle (26-364, 2 TDs), and Mason Hagler (19-207, TD).
Defensive standouts for the Tigers include Daymon Rollins (95 tackles, six for loss), Hagler (83 tackles, 10 for loss), and Joe Galvan (73 tackles, 14 for loss).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is a 42-point favorite.
Thursday’s winner will face either Farwell (8-2) or Post (4-6) in the Region I-2A Division I area round of the playoffs next week.
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Class 2A Division I Region I Bi-District
San Saba (2-8) vs. Hawley (10-0)
7 p.m. Thursday at Brownwood
The District 4-2A Division I fourth seed San Saba Armadillo will attempt to pull off an opening round upset as they tangle with the District 3 champion and ninth-ranked Hawley Bearcats.
San Saba heads into the playoffs averaging 23 points and 315 yards – 216 passing and 99 rushing – per outing, while giving up 36 points per contest.
Quarterback Lance Taylor has thrown for 2,116 yards and 18 touchdowns while rushing for 232 yards and three scores. Top receiving threats are Reagan Mejia (46-500, 5 TDs), Weston Lackey (46-655, 6 TDs), Tyler Johnson (43-450, 4 TDs), Drake Bryant (23-269, 2 TDs) and Franco Franco (20-176, TD).
Lackey leads the way on the ground with 274 yards and three scores, while Tegan Saiz has chipped in 169 yards and four scores and Franco has contributed 122 yards with a trip to the end zone.
On the defensive end, Zuri Herrera leads the charge with 138 tackles followed by Saiz (60 tackles), Lackey (59), Mejia (54), Bryant (52) and Dylan Ware (50). The Armadillos have forced 17 turnovers – nine interceptions and eight fumble recoveries.
Hawley produces 44 points and 372 yards – 187 rushing and 185 passing – and yields just 4 points per game on average.
Rodey Hooper has thrown for 1,811 yards and 23 touchdowns, Austin Cumpton (578 yards, 6 TDs) and Lawson Bailey (573 yards, 8 TDs) spark the ground game, and top receivers include Kason O’Shields (38-627, 8 TDs), Aeneas Segura (30-444, 6 TDs) and Chandlin Myers (25-295, 3 TDs).
Standouts on defense include Will Scott (77 tackles, 9 for loss), Kyle Nichols (76 tackles, 24 for loss), and Hez Parker (74 tackles, 7 for loss).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, San Saba is a 35-point underdog.
Thursday’s winner will face either Sundown (7-3) or Sanford-Fritch (4-6) in the Region I-2A Division I area round of the playoffs next week.
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Class 2A Division II Region II Bi-District
Cross Plains (5-4) vs. Muenster (10-0)
7 p.m. Thursday at Weatherford
The District 8-2A Division II fourth seed Cross Plains are seeking a first-round upset as they face their second straight undefeated, state-ranked foe in the District 7 champion Muenster Hornets.
In last week’s 61-3 loss to No. 4 Albany, Cross Plains mustered just 96 yards of total offense – 51 passing and 45 rushing – and turned over the ball once. Defensively, the Buffaloes yielded 517 yards – 321 on the ground and 196 through the air – with no takeaways.
Cross Plains’ lone points were the result of a 26-yard field goal by Nick Hillis in the first quarter, which trimmed to deficit to 14-3 at the time.
Kade Purvis completed 9 of 21 passes for 58 yards with an interception as Ryan Hopkins caught three passes for 6 yards, Spade Koenig added two grabs for 25, and Gus Nickerson finished with two catches for 12 yards.
Cason Allen led the Buffaloes’ ground game with 48 yards.
No. 2 Muenster is averaging 48 points and 420 yards – 277 rushing and 143 passing – per game, and allowing 10 points per game with 30 takeaways on the season.
Seth Stoffels has thrown for 775 yards and 13 touchdowns while Devon Bindel has added 652 yards through the air and five scoring tosses. Colton Deckard has racked up 1,658 yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground, while the top receiving threat is Grant Hess (39-794, 11 TDs).
Defensively, Reese Hightower leads the way with three interceptions.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Cross Plains is a 48-point underdog.
Thursday’s winner will face either Seymour (6-4) or Lockney (7-3) in the Region II-2A Division II area round of the playoffs next week.
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Class A Division II Bi-District
Richland Springs (7-1) vs. Sidney (4-5)
7:30 p.m. Friday at Zephyr
The Class A Division II No. 3 Richland Springs Coyotes, fresh off a 20th straight district championship, set their sights on a 10th state title as postseason action begins against District 15 runner-up Sidney.
For the season, District 16 champion Richland Springs is averaging 70 points and 390 yards – 295 rushing and 95 passing per game – with seven turnovers, while giving up 41 points and 304 yards – 232 passing and 72 rushing – per contest, with 13 takeaways.
Leading the way on the ground are Jadeyn Bryant (1,141 yards, 27 TDs), Zane Capps (796 yards, 19 TDs), and Keston Lusty (358 yards, 6 TDs).
Through the air, Bryant has completed 26 of 43 passes for 573 yards with 12 touchdowns, while Capps has connected 10 of 18 attempts for 174 yards with two scoring tosses.
Top receiving threats include Cohen Tharp (12-322, 5 TDs), Nick Nilson (6-131, 3 TDs), Capps (6-108, 2 TDs), Brandon Stewart (6-56, TD), and Lusty (3-61).
Defensive standouts are Lusty (55 tackles, 17.5 for loss, 5.5 sacks, 1 FR), Capps (49.5 tackles, 13.5 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 INT, 3 FRs), Bryant (37.5 tackles, 12 for loss, 4.5 sacks, 1 INT, 4 FRs), Nilson (35.5 tackles, 6 for loss, 1.5 for loss, 1 FR), Jayden Sutherland (31 tackles, 1 for loss. 2 INTs), and Stewart (23.5 tackles, 8.5 for loss, 4 sacks,1 FR).
Sidney enters the playoffs averaging 35 points per game while giving up 38. The Eagles are coming off a 60-12 victory over Brookesmith in the regular season finale, while also knocking off Rising Star (52-18) and Panther Creek (52-6) in district action. Sidney’s lone loss came at the hands of Blanket (70-40).
According to sixmanfootball.com, Richland Springs is a 45-point favorite.
Friday’s winner will face either Calvert (4-3) or Oglesby (7-2) in the Region IV semifinals next week.
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Class 2A Division I Region I Bi-District
Goldthwaite (5-5) vs. Forsan (9-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday at Brownwood
The District 4-2A Division I third seed Goldthwaite Eagles will attempt to hand the District 3 runner-up Forsan Buffaloes an early exit from the postseason as the two squads square off in bi-district action.
Goldthwaite heads into the playoffs on the heels of a 61-12 triumph over De Leon in the regular season finale.
The Eagles compiled 525 yards of total offense – 358 rushing and 167 passing – with no turnovers, while giving up 267 yards – 142 on the ground and 125 through the air – with the game’s lone takeaway.
Lane Evans ran for 205 yards and three touchdowns for the Eagles, Jackson Patrick added 63 yards and a score, Carsyn Campbell chipped in 58 yards and reached the end zone once, Luke Sanderson contributed 21 yards, and Marcus Stevens scored a touchdown as well.
Through the air, Patrick was 5 of 9 for 167 yards as Cason Guthrie led the way with three grabs for 67 yards and a touchdown, Sanderson added a 71-yard scoring reception, Mitchell Hopper scored on a 33-yard catch and Aaron Anzua finished with a 16-yard touchdown reception.
Defensively, Seth Gardner led the way with 13 tackles including four for loss, followed by nine tackles from Patrick and eight by Campbell. Hayden Clary-Sharpe recovered the fumble for the Eagles.
Forsan is coming off its only loss of the season to No. x Hawley, 24-21. The Buffaloes average 35 points and 354 yards – 275 rushing and 79 passing – per game, while allowing 12 points per outing with 26 takeaways.
Nate Hernandez (826 yards, 12 TDs), Major Stockton (824 yards, 16 TDs), and Chris Mendez (687 yards, 8 TDs) anchor the ground game. Stockton (590 passing yards, 4 TDs) and Sawyer Stallings (204 yards 2 TDs) have both seen time at quarterback, and leading receivers are Joshua Cervantes (19-340, 2 TDs) and Cayden Morgan (17-201, 2 TDs).
Defensive leaders include Morgan (131 tackles), Kevin Kligora (60 tackles, 4 sacks), Stockton (59 tackles, 3 INTs), Hernandez (59 tackles), and Boyzz Stilwell (51 tackles, 5 sacks).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Goldthwaite is a 25-point underdog.
Friday’s winner will face either New Deal (9-1) or Olton (6-4) in the Region I-2A Division I area round of the playoffs next week.