VERIBEST – The Zephyr Bulldogs survived an opening night nail-biter, holding off the Veribest Falcons, 29-27.

Down 6-0 early, Zephyr pulled even at 6 on a 6-yard touchdown run by Tripp Ballard. The Bulldogs grabbed a 14-6 lead on a 2-yard run by Chayden Woodcock. Tied at 14, Woodcock’s 26-yard carry made the score 22-14. Veribest answered but the kick failed, leaving Zephyr in front 22-20. The Bulldogs scored once more on another run from Woodcock from 25 yards, and added the one-point play for a 29-20 edge.

The Bulldogs finished with 303 yards of total offense – 290 rushing and 13 passing – while giving up 231 yards – 178 on the ground and 53 through the air. Both teams turned over the ball twice.

Woodcock finished with 168 rushing yards to go along with his three scores, while Ballard added 122 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Wyatt Stevens completed 2 of 7 passes, one for 8 yards to CJ Byers and a 5-yarder to Woodcock.

Next week, Zephyr opens its home slate against Blackwell, which suffered a 64-44 loss to Aspermont Friday.

***

Brookesmith 52, Mullin 25

BROOKESMITH – The Brookesmith Mustangs were undetered by weather delays as they chalked up a 52-25 victory over the Mullin Bulldogs Friday night.

Adyn Ribble ignited the Brookesmith offense with 214 rushing yards and four touchdowns, while Derrick Beard chipped in 97 yards on the ground with another score for the Mustangs.

Addison Hearn contributed a 64-yard touchdown carry and Isaac Haby rushed for a 35-yard touchdown, while Vegas Gilliam returned a kick 50 yards to the end zone.

Next week, Brookesmith heads to Bluff Dale, which throttled Throckmorton, 46-0, Friday night.

***

May 51, Sidney 0

SIDNEY – The Class A Division I No. 7 May Tigers opened their season with a 51-0 victory over the Class A Division II No. 7 Sidney Tigers Friday.

In May’s first game under new head coach James Ball, the Tigers finished with 237 yards of total offense, including 218 rushing.

Ben Harrell led the charge with 147 yards and three scores on the ground, Kobey Morris chipped in 49 yards and Lane Goodson rushed for 22 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Through the air, Cayson Dail connected with Brody Stice on a 19-yard scoring toss, the only completion of the night for the Tigers in four pass attempts.

Defensively, Morris returned an interception for a touchdown and caused a safety, to go along with recording five tackles. Harrell led the team with eight tackles along with five from Goodson, four from Mikey Scheriger, three from Dail, two from Levi McInnis and one apiece from Kaden Watkins and Wyatt Hardy. Cutter Dearick recovered a fumble for the Tigers as well.

Next week, May hosts Class A Division II No. 1 Oglesby, which fell to Abbott, 68-40 Friday night, while Sidney travels to Eden, which defeated Paint Rock, 58-12, in its opener.

***

Blanket 14, Menard 14 (canceled due to weather, no reschedule)

BLANKET – Tied at 14 when the game was halted due to lightning, the contest did not resume and will not be rescheduled.

Next week, Blanket will hit the road to visit Cranfills Gap, which was upended by Morgan, 33-12, Friday night.

***

San Saba 14, Grape Creek 2

SAN SABA – The San Saba Armadillos kicked off their 2024 football campaign with a 14-2 victory over the Grape Creek Eagles.

San Saba generated 226 total yards – 131 rushing and 95 passing.

Luke Tharp rushed for 72 yards and both Armadillo touchdowns, while completing 5 of 10 passes for 95 yards.

Alex Aguirre chipped in 31 yards rushing, while Levi Glover caught two passes for 38 yards and Preston Gray hauled in two receptions for 16 yards.

Defensively, Glover led the way with 10 tackles followed by Jason Everett and Jefferson Stencil with seven each. Skylar Romero and Juan Patino intercepted passes, while Omar Landeros recovered a fumble.

Next week, San Saba heads to Junction, which defeated Goldthwaite, 40-6, in Week 1.

***

Cross Plains 24, Haskell 22

CROSS PLAINS – In a back and forth affair, the Cross Plains Buffaloes scored the only points in the fourth quarter with a late touchdown to rally for a season-opening 24-22 victory over the Haskell Indians Friday.

The Buffaloes finished with 340 yards – 245 rushing and 95 passing – with one turnover, while giving up 352 yards – 208 through the air and 144 on the ground.

Tyler Mackey sparked Cross Plains’ attack with 97 rushing yards and a touchdown, to go along with four catches for 52 yards and two more scores. Quarterback Kade Purvis chipped in 86 yards on the ground and a touchdown, and he also completed 7 of 14 passes for 95 yards with two scoring tosses.

Jessey Bradford led the Buffalo defense with nine tackles trailed by seven from Ryder Reed and six each from Gray Albrecht and Bryson Barron.

Next week, Cross Plains ventures to Abilene TLCA, which dropped a 57-6 decision to Munday Friday.

***

Santa Anna 42, Bronte 22 (Thursday)

SANTA ANNA – The Santa Anna Mountaineers opened their season in impressive fashion Thursday night with a 42-22 victory over the favored Bronte Longhorns

The Mountaineers produced 272 yards of total offense – 211 rushing and 61 passing.

William Perry rushed for 174 yards with a 53-yard touchdown, while Wyatt Strickland chipped in 41 yards and scored on carries of 1, 7, 15 and 3 yards.

Through the air, Brock Brown connected of 5 of 8 attempts for 63 yards with a touchdown, which was caught by Jeremiah Davila, who finished with two receptions for 46 yards and a 32-yard score.

Defensively, Strickland led the way with 15 tackles followed by Perry with 13 tackles, including three for loss, and a fumble recovery, Davila with 11 tackles and Brown with nine tackles.

Next week, Santa Anna heads to Veribest, which opened its season with a 29-27 home loss to Zephyr.

***

Eastland 21, Coleman 6

EASTLAND – The Class 2A Division I No. 14 Coleman Bluecats were upended in their season opener Friday night, falling to the Class 3A Division II Eastland Mavericks.

The Bluecats outgained Eastland in total yardage, 253-236, but Coleman tossed three interceptions while the Mavericks did not commit a turnover.

Brayden Torres passed for 141 yards and rushed for 73 yards to pace the Bluecat offense, while Blaine Bouldin chipped in 25 yards on the ground and the lone Coleman touchdown. Anthony Espitia led the Bluecats with seven catches for 48 yards while Kelan Sikes caught two passes for 40 yards. Micah Lackey and Paul Salas added receptions of 27 and 20 yards.

Brooks Clippinger led the Bluecats with 13 tackles followed by 11 from Salas and 10 from Cutter Cody. Easton Meador recorded a sack and seven tackles.

Next week, Coleman hosts Clifton, which defeated Riesel, 12-7, in its season opener.

***

Poth 35, Comanche 14 (Thursday)

SAN ANTONIO – Opening their season at the Alamodome Thursday night, the Comanche Indians came up on the short end of a 35-14 decision against the Poth Pirates.

The Indians generated 325 yards of total offense – 186 rushing and 139 passing.

Quarterback Cayden Davis completed 7 of 13 passes for 139 yards with a touchdown, and added a team-high 83 yards on the ground.

CT Buford finished with two receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown, while Manuel Ortiz caught two passes covering 57 yards.

On the ground, LaDanian Smith chipped in 64 yards and Kadzen Thedford rushed for 6 yards and scored a touchdown.

Defensively for Comanche, Badger Sanchez led the way with nine tackles followed by JJ Davis, Chance Boswell and Alex Terrell with six each.

Next week, Comanche welcomes Llano, which throttle Lytle, 47-0, on opening night.

***

Panther Creek at Priddy, canceled

Called off due to illnesses, Panther Creek will now open its season Sept. 6 at home against Mullin, which fell to Brookesmith, 52-25 Friday night, while Priddy will make its 2024 debut at Walnut Springs, which tallied a 72-27 win over Ranger Friday night.

***

Junction 40, Goldthwaite 6

GOLDTHWAITE – On a night in which the stadium was renamed after multi-time state champion head coach Gary Proffitt, the Goldthwaite Eagles dropped their season opener at home to the Junction Eagles, 40-6.

Goldthwaite jumped out to a 6-0 lead and trailed just 7-6 at halftime, but Junction dominated the second half.

Goldthwaite was limited to 186 yards – 110 rushing and 76 passing – with the game’s only turnover, while giving up 376 yards – 234 on the ground and 142 through the air.

Luke Sanderson scored Goldthwaite’s touchdown on an 8-yard carry and finished with 30 yards rushing and two catches for 47 yards.

Max Storm led the ground game with 60 yards, while quarterback Aidyn Lee threw for 74 yards and added 16 on the ground.

Next week, Goldthwaite heads to Center Point, which downed Pettus, 28-12, in its season opener.

***

Other scores (No information reported)

Richland Springs 56, Big Springs Charter 0

Leakey 59, Rising Star 14 (Thursday)