MAY – The Class A Division I No. 3 May Tigers opened their home slate with a 77-46 victory over the TAIAO top-ranked Austin St. Stephens Spartans Friday night.
The Tigers (2-0) generated 623 yards of total offense – 486 rushing with nine touchdowns and 137 rushing with another score – in the triumph over St. Stephens (1-1).
Damian Salinas anchored the ground game with 298 rushing yards and six touchdowns on 13 carries – an average of 23 yards per tote. Luke McKenzie tacked on 94 yards and two scores, Braden Steele chipped in 59 yards with a trip to the end zone, Wyatt Hardy rushed for 28 yards and Jackson Easterling contributed 7 yards.
Through the air, McKenzie connected on all three of his pass attempts for 46 yards with a scoring toss. Steele was 2 for 4 for 53 yards and Ben Harrell connected on 1 of 4 passes for 38 yards.
Leading receivers were Bryson Guerrero with two grabs for 65 yards, Salinas with a 42-yard reception, Easterling with an 11-yard touchdown catch, McKenzie hauled in an 11-yard pass, and Harrell added a 2-yard catch.
Defensive standouts for the Tigers included Salinas with 11 tackles; Guerrero with nine tackles and two interceptions; Harrell with nine tackles; McKenzie with six tackles and a pick; Easterling and Kross Kenyon with four tackles apiece; Steele and Hardy with two takedowns each; and Adam Blankinship recorded a tackle as well.
Next week, May journeys to Class A Division I No. 6 Knox City (2-0), which has started its season with wins over Strawn, 54-8, and Motley County, 60-12.
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Zephyr 46, Veribest 0
VERIBEST – The Zephyr Bulldogs snapped a 15-game skid in resounding fashion Friday night, rolling to a 46-0 road victory over the Veribest Falcons.
Zephyr (1-1) allowed just 38 yards to Veribest (0-2) and forced the game’s only turnover, while the Bulldog offense manufactured 223 yards – 192 rushing and 31 passing.
Jayden Millican rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns of 4 and 2 yards; completed 2 of 4 passes for 26 yards and with an 11-yard scoring toss to Ethan Byers; and also returned an interception for a touchdown.
Tripp Ballard chipped in 46 yards on the ground and scored on a 31-yard carry, Karsen Floyd rushed for 18 yards, and Bransen Baumguardner completed a 5-yard scoring touchdown pass to Waggoner Shelton. Byers led Zephyr with two catches for 26 yards.
Defensively for the Bulldogs, Millican and Kaden Floyd led the way with nine tackles each followed by Ballard and Karsen Floyd with seven apiece, then Johnny Paul Evans-Rollins with four.
Next week, Zephyr hosts Waco Eagle Christian Academy (1-0), which defeated Waco Vanguard, 38-6, in Week 1 and had a bye in Week 2.
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Blanket 40, Bryson 12
BRYSON – The Blanket Tigers notched their first victory of the season, and of the Michael Cherry coaching era, with a 40-12 triumph over the Bryson Cowboys Friday night.
Blanket (1-1) racked up 405 yards of total offense – 388 rushing and 17 passing.
Brayden Day sparked the offense with 271 rushing yards and five touchdowns while Levi Vazquez chipped in 87 yards on the ground and a score. Emmanuel McLaughlin tacked on 16 yards, Issac Smith ran for 8 and Brandon Larance contributed 6 yards.
Through the air, Brennen Varner completed 5 of 8 passes for 17 yards with an interception. Vazquez caught three passes for 6 yards, Aydan Wheeler hauled in a 7-yard grab and Day pulled in a 4-yard reception.
Defensively against Bryson (0-2), the Tigers were led by Kannon Kensing with 17 tackles, a sack, and a fumble recovery; Vazquez with 11 tackles and two fumble recoveries; Day with eight tackles and an interception; Wheeler with seven tackles; and Smith with five takedowns.
Next week, Blanket plays host to Eden (0-2), which was blanked by Blackwell, 48-0, in Week 2.
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Coleman 48, Ballinger 0
COLEMAN – After hanging on late for a season-opening victory in a Top 15 battle with Mason a week away, the Class 2A Division I No. 7S Coleman Bluecats kicked off their home slate with a 48-0 thrashing of Ballinger Friday night.
Coleman (2-0) limited Ballinger (0-2) to just 30 yards of total offense, including -2 yards rushing on 17 carries, and forced a pair of turnovers.
Offensively, the Bluecats churned out 413 yards – 280 rushing and 133 passing – as Coleman raced out to a 30-0 halftime edge.
Ryland Gentry rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns, Brent Bould win added 66 yards and two scores, Dayden Hunter chipped in 62 yards with a trip to the end zone, and Jadin Jackson added 47 yards and crossed the goal line once.
Through the air, Jackson connected on 6 of 10 attempts for 133 yards with two touchdowns. Braxton Smith caught two passes for 70 yards and scored once and Hagen Cavanaugh hauled in two receptions for 50 yards and reached the end zone.
Next week, Coleman welcomes Brady (0-2), which fell to Mason, 27-7, Friday night.
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Cross Plains 27, De Leon 6
CROSS PLAINS – The Cross Plains Buffaloes kept their perfect record intact Friday night, earning a 27-6 victory over the De Leon Bearcats in their home opener.
Cross Plains (2-0) chalked up 360 yards of total offense – 204 through the air and 156 on the ground – and lost one fumble. De Leon (1-1) mustered 259 yards – 198 rushing and 61 passing – with a turnover.
Buffalo quarterback Kade Purvis connected on 19 of 23 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns, including a 25-yarder to Ryder Reed. Ryan Reed led the Buffaloes with seven catches for 81 yards, Asher Moses added six receptions for 21 yards and scored once, and Dustin Wyatt hauled in five receptions for 77 yards.
On the ground for Cross Plains, Noah Moses led the charge with 142 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Wyatt and Riley Conlee both chipped in 11 yards rushing.
Defensive standouts for Cross Plains were Conlee with 14 tackles, including five for loss; Noah Moses with 11 tackles; and Theron Albrecht with five tackles, including three for loss and a pair of sacks.
Next week, the Buffaloes venture to Hico (1-1), which suffered a 23-6 loss to Moody Friday night.
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San Saba 18, Junction 6
JUNCTION – The San Saba Armadillos equaled their 2021 win total in just the second game of the season Friday night, downing Junction by a 19-6 count.
San Saba (2-0) rushed for 254 of its 262 yards of total offense against De Leon (0-2).
Ethan Gonzales led the Armadillos ground game with 109 yards and a touchdown, Tyler Johnson added 84 yards and two scores, and quarterback Lance Taylor rushed for 51 yards and complete 2 of 9 passes for 8 yards – both to Johnson.
Defensively for the Armadillos, Zuriel Herrera tallied 12 tackles while Jesus Betancourt recorded nine tackles, including two for loss, to go along with one sack and one fumble recovery. Dylan Ware contributed eight tackles followed by Christian Ramirez with five, and Levi Glover, Lane Miller and Winton Lackey with four apiece.
Next week, San Saba is back on the road at Johnson City (2-0), fresh off a 43-14 victory over Thrall.
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Sidney 50, Rising Star 44
SIDNEY – The Rising Star Wildcats were unable to capitalize on the momentum of a season-opening victory as they dropped a 50-44 decision to the Sidney Eagles Friday night.
Rising Star (1-1) finished with 412 yards of total offense – 230 rushing and 182 passing.
Dathon Morris rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown, Blake Wilson chipped in 60 yards and one score, and Tristan Jackson finished with 40 yards and a trip to the end zone.
Through the air, Jake Bell connected on 8 of 13 passes for 108 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Morris went 4 of 6 for 74 yards with a pick.
Leading receivers were Kobey Morris (2-50, TD), Colt Lawrence (2-44, TD), Dakota Higgins (2-27), Bell, (2-12), Morris (2-11), Jackson (1-26, TD), and Dustin McGinn (1-12).
Defensive standouts for Rising Star were Bell with 12, Dathon Morris with eight, Wilson with six and an interception, Higgs with six tackles, Kobey Morris with five, Brayden Cook with two, and Anthony Pollard, Lawrence and McGinn with one apiece.
Next week the Wildcats venture to Morgan (1-1), which picked up a 68-22 win over Gustine in Week 2, while the Eagles visit Bluff Dale (2-0), which hammered Perrin-Whitt, 52-6, Friday night.
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OTHER SCORES (No information reported)
Richland Springs 50, Austin Royals 0
Kopperl 24, Brookesmith 8
Santo 20, Goldthwaite 7