The first week of the postseason has arrived, and seven local teams in the BrownwoodNews.com extended coverage area still have state championships aspirations. Brief previews for those six bi-district round showdowns are as follows:
Class A Division I Region IV Bi-District
MAY (8-1) vs. IRION COUNTY (9-0)
7 p.m. Thursday at Robert Lee
The No. 6 May Tigers begin the postseason portion of their quest to make a third straight trip to Arlington for the Class A Division I state championship game as they clash with the No. 8 Irion County Hornets in a playoff rematch from a year ago.
The Tigers are coming off a 65-40 loss to No. 3 Jonesboro, which cost the Tigers a seventh straight district championship, but May is hopeful to be back at full force for the playoffs.
Irion County carries an unblemished record into the playoffs with their most impressive wins coming the first two weeks of the season against Buena Vista (80-60) and Spur (83-36) – the only top 40 ranked teams on the schedule. In district action, the Hornets outscored Eden, Robert Lee, Menard and Veribest a combined 238-8.
May heads into the contest averaging 61 points and 375 yards – 188 passing and 187 rushing – per outing, while allowing 27 points with 19 takeaways on the season.
Leading rushers for the Tigers are Damian Salinas (811 yards, 17 TDs), Braden Steele (424 yards, 9 TDs), Luke McKenzie (257 yards, 8 TDs), and Landon Cheatham (126 yards, 4 TDs). Through the air, top passers are McKenzie (30 of 54 for 773 yards, 18 TDs, 3 INTs), Steele (37 of 66 for 698 yards, 9 TDs), and Ben Harrell (11 of 17 for 219 yards, 3 TDs). Receiving threats include Bryson Guerrero (17-447, 9 TDs), McKenzie (15-240, 3 TDs), Harrell (14-240, 4 TDs), Salinas (8-159, TD), Steele (7-270, 4 TDs), Jackson Easterling (7-102, 3 TDs), and Alexis Mejia (6-127, 4 TDs).
On the defensive front for May, standouts include Steele (73 tackles, 10.5 for loss, 1 interception), Salinas (66 tackles, 12.5 for loss, 2 fumble recoveries), Harrell (65 tackles, 4.5 for loss, 1 interception, 1 fumble recovery), Guerrero (52 tackles, 3 for loss, 4 interception, 1 fumble recovery), and Kross Kenyon (46 tackles, 4.5 for loss, 3 fumble recoveries).
Thursday’s winner will face either Leverett’s Chapel (9-1) or Leakey (5-5) in the second round.
According to sixmanfootball.com, May is an 8-point favorite.
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Class A Division II Region IV Bi-District
ZEPHYR (9-1) vs. RICHLAND SPRINGS (7-1)
7 p.m. Friday at Goldthwaite
The Zephyr Bulldogs, fresh off their first district championship since 2015, carry a nine-game win streak into their bi-district battle with the perennial powerhouse and 13th-ranked Richland Springs Coyotes, who did not win district for the first time in 20 years.
Zephyr, the top seed out of District 15-A Division II, average 54 points and 297 yards – 254 rushing and 43 passing – while allowing 12 points and 119 yards – 63 through the air and 56 on the ground – per game.
The Bulldogs’ rushing attack is paced by Jayden Millican (1,486 yards, 38 TDs) and Tripp Ballard (450 yards, 11 TDs). Guiding Zephyr through the air are Bransen Bumguardner (12 of 29 for 193 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs) and Millican (7 of 16 for 200 yards, 4 TDs), while receiving threats include Karsen Floyd (5-164, 3 TDs), Waggoner Shelton (7-73, 2 TDs), and Ethan Byers (3-40, TD).
Defensive standouts for the Bulldogs include Millican (92 tackles, 10 for loss, 3 fumble recoveries, 1 interception), Ballard (91 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions), Kaden Floyd (67 tackles, 4 for loss), Karsen Floyd (67 tackles, 3 fumble recoveries, 3 interceptions), and Shelton (35 tackles, 1 interception).
Richland Springs, the District 16 runner-up, is generating 50 points and 270 yards – 183 rushing and 87 passing – with eight turnovers, while allowing 24 points and 172 yards – 105 on the ground and 67 through the air – per game, with 16 takeaways on the year.
Leading rushers include Braxton Ethridge (579 yards, 14 TDs), Keston Lusty (247 yards, 6 TDs), Kenny Triplett (127 yards, 2 TDs) and Brandon Stewart (113 yards, 2 TDs). Through the air, Ethridge (529 yards, 7 TDs, 1 INT) and Hutton Rogers (66 yards, 2 TDs) have seen the bulk of the work while receiving weapons are Jayden Sutherland (15-224, 5 TDs), Lusty (6-77, TD), Triplett (5-67, TD), Cohen Tharp (4-109, TD), and Jeremiah Beam (3-84, TD).
On the defensive side, stalwarts include Lusty (50 tackles, 5.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks), Tharp (32 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 interception), Triplett (30 tackles, 5 for loss, 2.5 sacks, 3 fumble recoveries), Billy Perry (28 tackles, 7.5 for loss, 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries), Sutherland (24 tackles, 2.5 for loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 interceptions), and Stewart (17 tackles, 3 interceptions, 4 fumble recoveries).
Friday’s winner will face either Loraine (9-1) or Panther Creek (4-6) in the second round.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Zephyr is a 42-point underdog.
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Class A Division II Region IV Bi-District
BLANKET (9-1) vs. CHEROKEE (9-0)
7 p.m. Friday at San Saba
The Blanket Tigers, runners-up in District 15-A Division II, will attempt to knock off the third-ranked Cherokee Indians, champions of District 16-A Division II, as the two squads clash in a bi-district playoff battle.
Blanket heads into the postseason averaging 50 points and 312 yards – 272 rushing and 40 passing – per game, while allowing 19 points per outing.
The Tigers’ ground game is sparked by Levi Vazquez (1,280 yards, 27 TDs) and Brayden Day (1,184 yards, 28 TDs), while the passing attack is fueled by Mason Beck (15 of 24 for 282 yards, 7 TDs) and receivers Isaac Smith (10-219, 6 TDs) and Aydan Wheeler (6-100, TD).
Leading the charge defensively for Blanket are Kannon Kensing (102 tackles, 4 fumble recoveries), Day (90 tackles, 4 interceptions, 4 fumble recoveries), Vazquez (90 tackles, 1 interception, 6 fumble recoveries), Smith (66 tackles, 1 interception, 2 fumble recoveries), Brandon Larance (31 tackles), and Wheeler (26 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries).
Cherokee ended Richland Springs’ run of 20 straight district championships this year with a 78-47 victory on Oct. 7. The Indians average 60 points and yield just 17 per game and have ended five games early due to the 45-point rule.
Friday’s winner will face either Rising Star (9-1) or Blackwell (6-4) in the second round.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Blanket is a 45-point underdog.
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Class 3A Division II Region II Bi-District
COMANCHE (9-1) vs. HENRIETTA (6-4)
7 p.m. Thursday at Weatherford
The Comanche Indians turned a one-win 2021 campaign into nine victories and the District 5-3A Division II championship in 2022, and look to continue their winning ways as they square off with the District 6 fourth-seed Henrietta Bearcats in bi-district action.
The Indians are averaging 46 points and 458 yards – 331 rushing and 127 passing – per game, while allowing 23 points with 27 takeaways and 25 sacks on the season.
Sawyer Wilkerson is having an all-state caliber season with 2,113 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns for Comanche, while quarterback Layden Welch (412 yards, 10 TDs), Cayden Davis (355 yards, 3 TDs), and Easton Gonzalez (224 yards, 3 TDs) have provided a spark on the ground as well.
Through the air, Welch has completed 67 of 129 passes for 1,267 yards with 14 touchdowns and six interceptions. Leading receivers are Miguel Martinez (36-691, 8 TDs), Kyler Beaty (17-255, 4 TDs) and Wilkerson (7-152, TD).
Defensive standouts for Comanche include Israel Medrano (96 tackles, 7 for loss, 1 sack), Diego Gutierrez (74 tackles, 2 interceptions), Dom Rios (68 tackles, 11 for loss, 5 sacks), Pierson Sorrells (65 tackles, 10 for loss, 5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery), Welch (64 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 sack), Ezequiel Medrano (61 tackles, 2 for loss, 3 interceptions), Gonzalez (55 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 sacks), Aydan Fishback (50 tackles, 6 for loss, 5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries). Martinez has picked off a team-high seven passes.
Henrietta heads into the postseason averaging 27 points, while giving up 21 points per outing with 17 takeaways and 15 sacks.
Quarterback Garrett Blevins has rushed for 1,227 yards and 14 touchdowns while passing for 1,108 yards and 12 scores with 11 interceptions. Cannon Cody is the second-leading rusher with just 202 yards and three touchdowns, while leading receivers include Klein Essler (26-273, 4 TDs), Jacob Fletcher (15-218, 2 TDs), Ty Deaton (11-235, TD), Brady Lyde (11-166, 2 TDs), and Logan Taylor (10-148, TD).
Leading the way defensively are Essler (111 tackles, 5 for loss, 1 sack, 3 interceptions), Taylor (69 tackles, 11 for loss, 4 sacks), Cody (64 tackles, 13 for loss, 6 sacks), Will Jetton (59 tackles, 6 for loss, 2 sacks), and Hunter Campbell (59 tackles, 1 for loss).
Thursday’s winner will face either Bells (8-2) or Blooming Grove (7-2) in the area round.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Comanche is a 24-point favorite.
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Class 2A Division I Region II Bi-District
COLEMAN (8-2) vs. ALVORD (6-4)
7 p.m. Thursday at Fort Worth Castleberry
The Class 2A Division I No. 10 Coleman Bluecats, the second seed out of District 5, will face off with the District 6 third seed Alvord Bulldogs as both teams look to advance to their 12th game of the season.
The Bluecats are producing 37 points and 366 yards – 235 rushing and 131 passing – per game, with a dozen turnovers, while allowing 8 points and 155 yards – 79 through the air and 76 on the ground – with 18 takeaways.
Quarterback Jadin Jackson has completed 68 of 115 passes for 1,265 yards with 13 touchdowns and three interceptions, while rushing for 733 yards and 10 more scores. Ryland Gentry leads the way on the ground with 908 yards and 16 touchdowns, while other weapons in the rushing attack include Brent Bouldin (208 yards, 3 TDs), Dayden Hunter (206 yards, 3 TDs), and Blaine Bouldin (204 yards, 2 TDs). Primary receiving threats are Braxton Smith (29-561, 7 TDs), Keaton Beets (11-247, 4 TDs), and Hagen Cavanaugh (11-206, 4 TDs).
Alvord is manufacturing 35 points per game while allowing 22 on average.
Offensively, Cayson Stainton has thrown for 715 yards and 10 touchdowns with nine interceptions, Jacob Johnson has rushed for 926 yards and nine scores, and Daven Alley leads all receivers with 35 catches for 439 yards and seven trips to the end zone.
Thursday’s winner will face either Crawford (10-0) or Kerens (3-7) in the area round of the playoffs.
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is a 40-point favorite.
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Class 2A Division II Region II Bi-District
CROSS PLAINS (7-3) vs. WINK (10-0)
7 p.m. Thursday at Big Spring
The Cross Plains Buffaloes, representing District 6-2A Division II as its fourth playoff seed, will attempt to pull off a major upset in the bi-district round against the fourth-ranked District 5 champion Wink Wildcats.
After winning the first five games of the season, Cross Plains went 2-3 in league play and is coming off a 49-21 loss to Miles in the regular-season finale.
In their most recent outing, the Buffaloes surrendered 341 yards – 266 passing and 75 rushing – while amassing 333 yards, with 322 coming on the ground.
Down 14-0 early, Cross Plains pulled even at 14 on touchdown runs of 2 yards by Dusty Wyatt and 3 yards by Kade Purvis. Trailing 28-14, the Buffaloes trimmed the deficit to 28-21 on a 7-yard run by Purvis but got no closer.
Noah Moses finished with 168 yards on the ground for Cross Plains and Riley Conlee added 146 yards. Purvis was 7 of 14 through the air for 11 with one interception. Ryan Reed caught a team-high three passes.
Defensively for the Buffaloes, Conlee logged nine tackles followed by Moses with seven and Kadin Galvan and Tye McWalters with five each. Asher Moses picked off a pass for the lone takeaway.
Wink is averaging 45 points and 397 yards – 207 through the air and 190 on the ground – per game, while allowing 14 points with 18 takeaways and 10 sacks on the season.
Wildcat quarterback Kanon Gibson has thrown for 2,016 yards with 22 touchdowns and just two interceptions, while also rushing for a team-high 723 yards and 16 scores. Bryan Wilcox has chipped in 559 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground, while leading receivers are Jordan Tally (48-953, 12 TDs) and Zachary Yactayo (36-557, 5 TDs).
On the defensive front, top tacklers are Gibson (83 tackles, 3 for loss, 5 interceptions, 1 fumble recovery), Hudson Morgan (79 tackles, 5 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 interception), Dylan Soltero (73 tackles, 4 for loss, 1 fumble recovery), Wilcox (61 tackles, 4 for loss, 2 sacks), and Creed Frerich (61 tackles, 5 for loss, 1 sack).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Cross Plains is a 37-point underdog.