District championship races are in full swing, and in a pair of local leagues more clarification will occur Friday night. The Zephyr Bulldogs host the Sidney Eagles in a match-up of two of three undefeated teams in 15-A Division II, along with the Blanket Tigers, while the Brookesmith Mustangs visit the Richland Springs Coyotes as neither those teams have experienced a defeat in 16-A Division II competition.
Sidney (5-2, 1-0) at Zephyr (6-2, 2-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The defending District 15-A Division II champion Zephyr Bulldogs welcome the preseason favorite of many prognosticators in the Sidney Eagles.
Zephyr is coming off a 66-0 victory over Mullin last week as the Bulldogs needed a mere 14 plays to amass 215 yards – 191 on the ground and 24 through the air – and eight touchdowns.
Jim Evetts rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown, Karsen Floyd added 59 yards and two scores, Chayden Woodcock chipped in a 41-yard touchdown carry and Tripp Ballard rushed for 21 yards with two trips to the end zone.
Through the air, Wyatt Stevens connected on 2 of 3 passes – both touchdowns – for 24 yards. Woodcock caught one scoring toss from 17 yards out and Trapper Schoenhals added a 7-yard touchdown reception.
Defensively, Floyd returned a fumble 10 yards for a touchdown as Mullin generated -51 yards of total offense – 22 pass and -73 rushing – with three turnovers.
Ballard led the way with nine tackles followed by Floyd with seven, Schoenhals with six and Woodcock and Johnny Paul Evans-Rollins with five apiece.
Sidney enjoyed its district bye last week as its only league outing thus far has been a 70-18 trouncing of Mullin.
The Eagles have also knocked off Priddy (46-0), Rising Star (45-34), Bluff Dale (56-6) and Cranfills Gap (60-14), with losses to Aquilla (78-30) and Strawn (75-46).
Players to watch for Sidney include Jaylon Salinas, Lehman Lindeque, Peyton Terpstra, Tanner Crawford, Dylan Terpstra, and Bryce Griffith.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Zephyr is a 1-point underdog.
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Brookesmith (4-3, 1-0) at Richland Springs (8-0, 2-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The last two undefeated teams in District 16-A Division II action clash as the No. 4 Richland Springs – fresh off back-to-back wins over Top 10 foes Cherokee and Rochelle – host the Brookesmith Mustangs, which knocked off Lohn, 60-12, in their first league outing last week.
Leading the charge for the Mustangs in their victory over Lohn was Adyn Ribble, who rushed for 253 yards and seven touchdowns on just 15 carries. Issac Haby scored a pair of touchdowns as well – one rushing and one receiving.
On the defensive end, Jace Moreno and Vegas Gilliam each intercepted a pass for the Mustangs.
In Richland Springs’ 56-24 home victory over Rochelle last week, the Coyotes manufactured 352 yards of total offense – 247 rushing and 105 passing.
Gage Behrens led the way with 125 yards on the ground and a pair of touchdowns for Richland Springs, while Billy Perry chipped in 89 yards with three trips to the end zone. Perry also completed 3 of 7 passes for 60 yards with a 37-yard touchdown to Jayden Sutherland. Hutton Rogers finished with a team-best 39 receiving yards on a pair of receptions.
Defensively for the Coyotes, Perry recorded 5.5 tackles with 4 sacks, including a safety; Kenny Triplett recorded 4.5 tackles; and Sutherland and Rogers each recorded 2.5 tackles. Behrens recovered two fumbles for Richland Springs and returned one for touchdown.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Richland Springs is a 45-point favorite.
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May (6-2, 2-0) at Santa Anna (2-5, 0-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The May Tigers survived another close call last week with a 62-54 homecoming triumph over Lometa, and head coach Craig Steele’s squad will attempt to keep its unblemished District 14-A Division I record intact Friday when it visits the Santa Anna Mountaineers.
In last week’s victory, the May offense amassed 424 yards of total offense – 255 passing and 169 rushing.
Braden Steele completed 9 of 14 passes for 255 yards with four touchdowns as Ben Harrell caught three passes for 73 yards and a score, Mikey Scheriger finished with two grabs for 67 yards and a touchdown, and Jackson Lusk and Kaden Watkins hauled in scoring receptions of 54 and 42 yards, respectively. Hagan Hester also caught a 9-yard pass.
On the ground, Harrell rushed for a team-best 85 yards and three touchdowns, Steele added 64 yards and a score and Scheriger chipped in 20 yards with a trip to the end zone.
Standouts for the Tiger defense were Harrell (13 tackle), Scheriger (9 tackles, a fumble caused, a fumble recovery, and a pass defended), Lusk (9 tackles and a tackle for loss), Steele (7 tackles, a tackle for loss, and a pass defended), Cayson Dail (6 tackles and a pass defended), Wyatt Hardy (3 tackles and a fumble recovery), Levi McInnis (2 tackles), and Watkins, Hester, Ryland Billadeau and Cutter Dearick (1 tackle each).
Santa Anna enters the contest fresh off a 54-0 loss to No. 6 Jonesboro in its first District 14-A Division I outing.
The Mountaineers own victories over Priddy (50-26) and Blanket (59-38) this season, with losses against Jonesboro, Veribest (50-0), Nueces Canyon (66-50), Medina (60-12) and Gordon (56.8).
Players to the watch for the Mountaineers include Tatum Cantu, Bruce Brown, Levi Daniel, Jacob Jimenez, William Perry, Lealand Bernal, Dakota Donham, and James Denson.
According to sixmanfootball.com, May is a 45-point favorite.
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Mullin (0-8, 0-2) at Blanket (4-3, 1-0)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Blanket Tigers look to remain at the top of the heap in District 15-A Division II action as they welcome the winless Mullin Bulldogs Friday night.
Blanket is coming off a 64-14 road victory over Gustine as the Tigers finished with 221 yards of total offense – 202 rushing and 19 passing.
Kannon Kensing rushed for 87 yards and three touchdowns, Cameron Aultman added 59 yards and three scores, AC French tacked on 51 yards and a pair of touchdowns and Adam McLaughlin rushed once for 5 yards.
Gage Jones completed his lone pass attempt for 19 yards and a touchdown to McLaughlin.
Defensively for the Tigers, Kensing logged four tackles, a sack and recovered two fumbles; Aultman notched four tackles; Mason Beck recorded three tackles and a sack; Isaac Smith also finished with three tackles; and French registered two tackles and a sack.
Mullin has lost its games to Brookesmith (forfeit), Panther Creek (59-12), Iredell (71-12), Moran (68-67), Morgan (65-18), Kopperl (50-0), Sidney (70-18) and Zephyr (66-0).
In last week’s loss to Zephyr, the Bulldogs recorded -51 yards of total offense – 22 pass and -73 rushing – with three turnovers.
Players to watch for Mullin include Cyrus Jackson and Abel Martinez.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Blanket is a 45-point favorite.
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Comanche (3-4, 0-2) at Dublin (1-5, 0-2)
7 p.m. Friday
Two teams still seeking their first District 5-3A Division II victories will square off Friday night as the defending league champion Comanche Indians make the short trip to face the Dublin Lions.
The Indians have started district action with losses to Millsap, 35-22, and Jacksboro, 30-22. The Lions have fallen to Merkel, 47-21, and Millsap, 49-14, in their two league outings.
In last week’s setback to undefeated Jacksboro, the Indians finished with just 255 yards of total offense – 142 rushing and 113 passing – against the Tigers.
Comanche quarterback Layden Welch connected on just 4 of 18 passes for 113 yards with one touchdown to Baylor commit Kyler Beaty, who finished with two grabs for 65 yards. C.T. Buford added two receptions for 48 yards.
On the ground, Welch rushed for 66 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries while Sawyer Wilkerson chipped in 57 yards and a score on 15 rushes.
The Indian defense yielded 350 yards – 204 passing and 146 rushing – to Jacksboro.
Defensively for Comanche Diego Gutierrez led the way with 16 tackles trailed by Welch, Chance Boswell and Ezequiel Medrano with 11 each and Isaac Morales with 10 tackles. Raymond Crossland recovered a fumble as well.
The Lions are generating 21 points and allowing 34 points per game, with their only win this season coming against Florence, 56-7, back on Sept. 22.
Dublin is led by quarterback Kaden Gaitan (67 of 127 for 905 yards, 11 TDs, 5 INTs) and receivers Aiden Hernandez (19-270, 4 TDs,) and Francisco Garcia (21-232, 2 TDs).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Comanche is a 31-point favorite.
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Goldthwaite (3-4, 1-2) at San Saba (2-6, 1-3)
7 p.m. Friday
The 106th meeting in “The Battle of the River” will take place at Rogan Field Friday night with both the host San Saba Armadillos and visiting Goldthwaite Eagles looking to keep their postseason hopes alive in the District 5-2A Division I race.
Both teams are looking up at Tolar, Coleman and De Leon in the current standings, which would leave one spot remaining for the postseason if the standings hold.
Goldthwaite had its bye last week after a 42-14 home win over Bangs in its most recent outing, and enters Friday’s game averaging 25 points and 323 yards – 227 rushing and 96 passing – per game, while allowing 32 points.
Quarterback Ethan Deeds has completed 44 of 88 passes for 633 yards with six touchdowns and eight interceptions, while rushing for 295 yards and eight scores. Max Storm has chipped in 554 yards and two touchdowns on the ground while Marcus Stevens has contributed 435 rushing yards and four trips to the end zone. Luke Sanderson leads all Goldthwaite receivers with 30 catches for 440 yards and four touchdowns. Malachi Thomas has chipped in eight grabs for 123 yards.
San Saba is coming off a 41-38 loss at Bangs in which the Armadillos allowed 422 yards of total offense, including 366 rushing. Meanwhile, San Saba generated 354 yards – 293 on the ground and 61 through the air.
The Armadillos are averaging 28 points and 331 yards – 254 rushing and 77 passing – per game, while giving up 33 points on average.
Running back Ethan Gonzales has been the driving force on offense with 1,296 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns, to go along with a team-high 24 receptions for 264 yards and two more scores. Lane Miller (34 of 67 for 378 yards, 2 TDs, 4 INTs; 491 rushing yards, 8 TDs) and Winton Lackey (22 of 39 for 237 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs; 91 rushing yards) have seen time at quarterback, while additional receiving threats include Skylar Romero (13-274, 2 TDs), Glover (12-66) and Haiden Vanbibber (7-62, TD).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Goldthwaite is a 13-point favorite.
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Cross Plains (2-5, 0-2) at Hamlin (5-2, 1-1)
7 p.m. Friday
The Cross Plains Buffaloes will attempt to secure their first District 6-2A Division II victory against a Hamlin Pied Pipers squad that is coming off just its second loss of the 2023 campaign.
Last week, Cross Plains dropped a 49-0 decision to defending state champion and top-ranked Albany, while Hamlin was throttled by Miles, 63-8.
In the Buffaloes’ setback, Cross Plains allowed 308 total yards – 165 rushing and 143 passing – and did not force turnover, while the offense mustered 114 yards – 67 on the ground and 47 through the air – with one turnover.
Kade Purvis completed 5 of 15 passes for 47 yards and rushed for 8 yards. Theron Albrecht contributed 36 yards on the ground and Dusty Wyatt chipped in 25. Tyler Mackey caught two passes for 26 yards and Alex Parker added a pair of receptions for 21 yards.
Defensively for Cross Plains, Caleb Blue recorded seven tackles followed by Theron Albrecht with six, Gray Albrecht with five, and Wyatt and Michael Samora with four tackles apiece.
Hamlin averages 21 points per outing, while allowing 24 points per game.
The Pied Pipers’ five-game win streak was snapped by Miles last week as Hamlin produced just 116 yards while surrendering 569 yards, including 274 passing yards with seven touchdown tosses.
Hamlin is by quarterback Ian Gruben (8 of 124 for 823 yards, 11 TDs, 3 INTs), running back Clayton Rister (559 rushing yards, 6 TDs), and receiver Luke White (29-268, 2 TDs).
According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Cross Plains is an 11-point underdog.