MAY – The Class A Division I No. 1 May Tigers kept their perfect record intact, opening District 14 action with a 60-0 homecoming triumph over the winless Evant Elks Friday night.
May (6-0, 1-0) finished with 181 yards of total offense – 135 rushing and 46 passing – against Evant (0-6, 0-1), while the Tiger defense forced three turnovers and scored once.
Damian Salinas rushed for 90 yards and three touchdowns, Braden Steele chipped in 30 yards and two scores, and Landon Cheatham added a 15-yard touchdown carry.
Through the air, Luke McKenzie completed both of his pass attempts for touchdowns – 31 yards to Alexis Mejia and 15 yards to Ben Harrell.
Defensive standouts for the Tigers were Salinas (7 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss), Steele (6 tackles, an interception, and 3.5 tackles for loss), Kross Kenyon (4 tackles, a fumble caused, 1.5 tackles for loss), Mejia (4 tackles, 1 pass defended, and 1.5 tackles for loss), Harrell (4 tackles, 1 interception, 1 fumbles caused, 2 tackles for loss, and a 17-yard fumble return for a touchdown), Adam Blankenship (3 tackles and a tackle for loss), Cheatham (3 tackles and a pass defended), Jackson Easterling (1 tackle), and McKenzie (1 tackle).
Next week, May visits Lometa (2-5, 0-1), which is coming off a 57-8 loss to No. 8 Jonesboro (6-1, 1-0).
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Zephyr 64, Gustine 14
GUSTINE – The Zephyr Bulldogs extended their win streak to six games with a 64-14 road victory over the Gustine Tigers in Friday’s District 15-A Division II opener for both squads.
Zephyr (6-1, 1-0) produced 370 yards of total offense, with 349 coming on the ground. Gustine (0-7, 0-1) mustered 157 yards, with all but 1 yard coming through the air, and committed three turnovers.
Jayden Millican led the rushing attack with 246 yards and four touchdowns while Tripp Ballard chipped in 103 yards and three scores on the ground for the Bulldogs.
Through the air, Bransen Bumguardner was 1 of 2 for 21 yards with a touchdown to Karsen Floyd.
Defensively, Ballard led the charge with 12 tackles and a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown, followed by Floyd with eight tackles, Millican with seven, Waggoner Shelton with four, Kaden Floyd with three, and Johnny Paul Evans-Rollins and Trapper Schoenhals with two tackles apiece.
Next week, Zephyr hosts Mullin (3-4, 0-1), which is coming off a 56-8 loss to Sidney (3-3, 1-0).
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Comanche 45, Millsap 28
COMANCHE – The Comanche Indians opened District 5-3A Division II competition with their fifth victory in six outings this season, topping the Millsap Bulldogs, 45-28.
Comanche (5-1, 2-0) amassed 421 yards – 259 rushing and 162 passing – while allowing 335 yards – 205 rushing and 130 passing – to Millsap (3-3, 0-1), with a pair of interceptions.
Sawyer Wilkerson rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns and caught a 9-yard pass for the Indians, while Easton Gonzalez chipped in 64 yards on the ground and a score.
Through the Layden Welch completed 5 of 9 passes for 128 yards and two scores while rushing for 25 yards as well. Miguel Martinez caught four passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns and also threw a 34-yard pass to Welch.
Next week, Comanche visits Jacksboro (4-2, 1-0), which disposed of Eastland (0-6, 0-1) by a 53-6 count Friday night.
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San Saba 35, De Leon 21
DE LEON – The San Saba Armadillos secured their elusive first District 5-2A Division I victory with a 35-21 road triumph over the De Leon Bearcats Friday night.
Tied at 21 at halftime, San Saba (5-2, 1-2) scored twice after the break on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Levi Glover, and a 33-yard run by Ethan Gonzales.
De Leon (4-3, 1-2), which fought back from a pair of touchdown deficits in the first half, was unavailable to find the end zone over the last two quarters.
Next week, San Saba hosts Bangs (4-2, 2-0), which won its fourth straight game, 40-0 over Goldthwaite (0-7, 0-3) Friday night.
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Rising Star 76, Trent 0
TRENT – The Class A Division II No. 10 Rising Star Wildcats wrapped up non-district action with their sixth victory in seven outings, pummeling the Trent Gorillas, 76-0, Thursday night.
Rising Star (6-1) finished with 288 yards of total offense – 162 rushing and 126 passing – against Trent (5-2).
Anthony Pollard rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown, Tristan Jackson added 32 yards and two scores, Dathon Morris chipped in 22 yards and Blake Wilson finished with 11 yards and a touchdown.
Through the air, Kobey Morris was 2 of 3 for 62 yards and a score, Jake Bell threw a 39-yard touchdown, and Dathon Morris hurled a 25-yard scoring toss.
Top receivers were Brayden Cook with a 50-yard reception while scoring catches belonged to Pollard from 39 yards out, Wilson from 25 yards away, and Colt Lawrence on a 12-yard route.
Defensively, the Wildcats forced eight turnovers as Bell recovered three fumbles, Dathon Morris picked off a pass, and Wilson, Cook, Pollard and Lawrence each pounced on a loose ball.
Bell’s 12 tackles were a team-high followed by Wilson and Dakota Higgins with eight each, Dathon Morris with four, Cook and Jackson with three apiece, and Pollard with two.
Next week, Rising Star enjoys a bye before starting District 14-A Division II action Oct. 21 against Paint Rock (2-4).
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Cherokee 78, Richland Springs 47
RICHLAND SPRINGS – The Class A Division II No. 4 Richland Springs Coyotes’ 81-game district win streak reached its conclusion, and their bid for a 21st straight league title is now in severe jeopardy following Friday night’s 78-47 home loss to the No. 5 Cherokee Indians.
Richland Springs (4-1, 0-1) finished with 369 yards of total offense – 217 rushing and 152 passing – with a pair of turnovers and 10 penalties for 110 yards.
Cherokee (6-0, 1-0) generated 420 yards – 243 on the ground and 177 through the air with one turnover.
The Coyotes received 178 rushing yards and five touchdowns from Braxton Ethridge, who also completed 14 of 24 passes for 152 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. Billy Perry added 35 yards on the the ground while leading receivers were Jayden Sutherland (6-83), Kenny Triplett (4-48), Keston Lusty (2-13), and Cohen Tharp (1-13).
Defensively for the Coyotes, Lusty tallied seven tackles followed by Sutherland with six, Tharp with 35 and Triplett with three.
For Cherokee, Joel Valdez passed for 177 yards and five scores and added 79 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Gunner Baugh tacked on 150 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns.
Next week, Richland Springs visits Rochelle (6-1, 1-0), which knocked off Lohn (0-6, 0-1) by a 64-0 count Friday.
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Tolar 16, Coleman 6
COLEMAN – In a battle of Top 10 programs, the Class 2A Division I No. 9 Tolar Rattlers remained undefeated with a 16-6 road victory over the No. 6 Coleman Bluecats.
Coleman (5-2, 2-1) limited Tolar (6-0, 2-0) to 152 total yards – all rushing – while the Bluecats tallied 197 yards – 112 passing and 85 rushing – but committed a pair of turnovers.
Jadin Jackson rushed for 36 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown for Coleman, while Ryland Gentry finished with a team-best 38 yards on the ground and Dayden Hunter contributed 16 yards.
Through the air, Jackson was 9 of 20 for 112 yards, with Braxton Smith hauling in six grabs for 46 yards. Hagen Cavanaugh added two catches for 21 yards and Keaton Beets pulled down a 45-yard reception.
Next week, Coleman looks to bounce back at Hamilton (3-3, 1-1), whose district bye fell Friday night.
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Roscoe 28, Cross Plains 6
ROSCOE – The Class 2A Division II No. 19 Cross Plains Buffaloes were dealt their first defeat in Friday night’s District 6-2A Division II opener as the Roscoe Plowboys notched a 28-6 home victory.
Cross Plains (5-1, 0-1) finished with 167 yards of total offense – 130 passing and 37 rushing – with one interception, while Roscoe (4-2, 1-0) produced 317 yards – 194 through the air and 130 on the ground – with two turnovers.
Noah Moses rushed for 40 yards and a touchdown for the Buffaloes while Riley Conlee chipped in 33 yards and Dusty Wyatt tacked on 12.
Kade Purvis completed 12 of 23 passes for 130 yards with a pick, while leading receivers were Ryan Reed with five for 77 yards, Wyatt with four for 31, and Asher Moses with three grabs for 22.
Defensive standouts for Cross Plains were Noah Moses (16 total tackles, 1 fumble recovery), Conlee (9 tackles 1 ,for loss, 1 sack), Asher Moses (7 tackles), Wyatt (6 tackles, 1 fumble recovery), Kadin Galvan (6 tackles), Tye McWalters (5 tackles), and Reed (1 tackle, 1 interception).
Next week, Cross Plains will attempt to return to the win column at state-ranked Albany (4-2, 1-0), which hammered Miles (4-2, 0-1) by a 49-18 count Friday night.