Zephyr 58, Blanket 14
ZEPHYR – The Zephyr Bulldogs took a huge leap toward a third consecutive district championship, forcing eight Blanket Tigers turnovers en route to a 58-14 home victory in 13-A Division II action Friday night.
Zephyr (7-1, 2-0) finished with 260 yards, with 208 coming on the ground, while Blanket (7-1, 2-1) generated 218 yards – 111 passing and 107 rushing – but tossed six interceptions.
The game was tied at 8 after one quarter before Zephyr grabbed a 24-14 halftime lead, then dominated the second half.
Wyatt Stevens rushed for 148 yards and three touchdowns for the Bulldogs and added 52 yards through the air and two more scores.
Reese Hamm hauled in a 7-yard touchdown catch and finished with two grabs for 45 yards, and Trapper Schoenhals pulled down a 7-yard scoring reception. Johnny Paul Evans-Rollins also scored on a 1-yard run.
Defensively, CJ Byers recovered a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown while Stevens and Evans-Rollins each picked off three passes. Byers also returned a kick 29 yards for a touchdown.
For Blanket, Kannon Kensing rushed for 73 yards and a touchdown, while Cameron Aultman added 32 yards. Aultman also passed for 37 yards while Dallas Shumaker threw for 74 yards. Mason Beck led Blanket with five grabs for 80 yards and Brian Shannon finished with two catches for 31 yards.
Aultman led the Tigers with 10 tackles and Shannon added nine.
Next week, Zephyr heads to Sidney (3-4, 0-2), which is coming off a 44-6 loss to Rising Star (4-4, 1-2), while Blanket has its bye week.
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May 72, Santa Anna 8
MAY – The Class A Division I No. 4 May Tigers remained perfect on the season as they throttled the Santa Anna Mountaineers, 72-8, Friday night in District 14-A Division I action.
May improved to 8-0 overall and 1-0 in league play, while Santa Anna is now 3-5 overall and 0-1 in district.
This portion of the article will be updated if May provides stats.
Next week, May heads to Lometa (6-2, 0-1), which is coming off a 54-8 loss to Jonesboro (6-1, 1-0), while Santa Anna heads to Jonesboro.
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Rochelle 54, Brookesmith 16
BROOKESMITH – The Brookesmith Mustangs’ playoff chances were dealt a major blow with a 54-16 home loss to the Rochelle Hornets in District 15-A Division II competition Friday night.
Brookesmith (4-4, 1-2) was sparked by Adyn Ribble’s 144 rushing yards and two touchdown against Rochelle (4-3, 2-0), while Derrick Beard and Devin Keith paced the Mustang defense.
Next week, Brookesmith travels to much-improved Lohn (5-3, 1-1), which had a bye Friday night.
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Comanche 34, Breckenridge 21
BRECKENRIDGE – The Comanche Indians bounced back from their first District 3-3A Division I defeat and kept the Breckenridge Buckaroos winless on the season with a 34-21 triumph Friday night.
Comanche (5-3, 2-1) produced 385 yards of total offense against Breckenridge (0-8, 0-3) – 330 on the ground and 55 through the air.
Caden Davis rushed for 121 yards and a touchdown, Ladanian Smith added 101 yards and a score on the ground, and Alex Terrell contributed 84 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Fernando Patino had all 55 receiving yards for Comanche.
Defensively, Chance Boswell paced the Indians with nine tackles followed by seven from Terrell and six each from Manuel Ortiz, Zaden Tello, and Badger Sanchez.
Next week, Comanche welcomes San Angelo TLCA (0-8, 0-3), which is coming off a 72-0 loss to Jim Ned (5-3, 2-1).
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Coleman 14, Hico 6
HICO – After starting the season with seven straight losses, the Coleman Bluecats notched their first victory of 2024 Friday night, 14-6 at Hico, and jumped right into the thick of the District 5-2A Division I playoff race in the process.
Coleman (1-7, 1-2) was victorious despite gaining just 238 yards – 162 rushing and 76 passing – and allowing 317 yards – 227 on the ground and 90 through the air – to Hico (5-3, 1-2). Both teams committed one turnover.
Hunter Edington completed 4 of 8 passes for 76 yards and a 7-yard touchdown to Kelan Sikes, while also rushing for a 3-yard score. Sikes led Coleman with two catches for 46 yards and Braylon Stewart added a 36-yard reception.
On the ground, Blaine Bouldin rushed for 94 yards while Anthony Espitia added 64 yards.
Defensively for the Bluecats, Lane Bowers tallied 12 tackles followed by Brooks Clippinger and Paul Salas with 11 apiece, Cutter Cody with nine, and Espitia and Darren Hurtado, who recorded a sack, with eight. Bouldin picked off a pass for Coleman.
Next week, Coleman ventures to Ballinger (4-4, 1-2), which is coming off a 55-13 loss to De Leon (5-3).
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San Saba 49, Harper 13
SAN SABA – The San Saba Armadillos remained one of two unbeaten teams against District 14-2A Division I foes with a 49-13 home triumph over Harper Friday night.
San Saba (6-2, 3-0) churned out 380 yards, with 317 coming on the ground, against the Harper (3-5, 0-3) defense.
Quarterback Luke Tharp again led the charge with 214 rushing yards and three touchdowns while passing for 63 yards and two more scores. Preston Gray grabbed all four Armadillo receptions and scored twice as well, while Alex Estrada contributed 54 yards on the ground.
Defensively for the Armadillos, Sterling Proffitt, Levi Glover and Juan Patino each intercepted a pass. Jason Everett led the team with 13 tackles followed by 11 from Kaylub Roberts and 10 from Cash Bryant.
Next week, San Saba travels to Holland (6-2, 2-1), which was dealt a 61-5 loss by Mason (7-1, 3-0) Friday night.
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Rising Star 44, Sidney 6
RISING STAR – The Rising Star Wildcats chalked up their first District 13-A Division II victory Friday night, while keeping the Sidney Eagles winless in league play, 44-6.
Rising Star (4-4, 1-2) threw for 331 yards against the Sidney (3-4, 0-2) defense, led by Anthony Pollard’s 16 of 22, 284-yard, five-touchdown performance. Curtis Pruitt also connected on 5 of 7 passes for 42 yards and Manning Miller completed 1 of 2 for 5 yards.
Miller finished with five catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns while Payton McGinn also pulled down five receptions for 108 yards with two trips to the end zone. Pollard added four grabs for 37 yards, and Kaiden Griffith caught three passes for 24 yards and a touchdown. Juakeen Froese added two grabs for 41 yards and Pruitt caught two passes for 4 yards.
On the ground, the Wildcats received 47 yards from Pollard, 15 yards from Pruitt, 14 yards and a touchdown from Payton McGinn, and 9 yards from Kason McGinn.
Defensively for Rising Star, leading tacklers were Anthony Pollard with 14 (4 for a loss); Leland Schenk with 11 (2 for a loss); Kason McGinn with 10 (1 for a loss); Payton McGinn with 10 (1 for a loss); Pepe Bocanegra with 8 and 1 interception; Manning Miller with 7 tackles and 1 interception; and Dustin McGinn with 2 tackles.
Next week, Rising Star visits Gustine (6-1, 1-1), which had a bye Friday night, while Sidney hosts Zephyr (7-1, 2-0), which is coming off a 58-14 win over Blanket (7-1, 2-1).
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Wortham 44, Goldthwaite 36
GOLDTHWAITE – The Goldthwaite Eagles were dealt a second consecutive District 10-2A Division II defeat and fell into fourth place in the league standings with a 44-36 home loss to Wortham Friday night.
Goldthwaite (4-4, 3-2) finished with 345 total yards – 285 rushing and 60 passing – while Wortham (5-3, 3-2) produced 357 yards – 240 through the air and 117 on the ground. Neither team turned over the ball.
Luke Sanderson rushed for 102 yards and three touchdowns and Landry Sanderson added 103 yards and two scores to pace the Eagle offense. Quarterback Aidyn Lee added 75 yards on the ground and completed 6 of 10 passes for 60 yards. Casen Wiedebusch finished with a team-high three catches for 38 yards.
Next week, Goldthwaite heads to Meridian (1-7, 1-4), which is coming off a 54-0 loss to Mart (7-1, 5-0).
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Albany 62, Cross Plains 12
ALBANY – The Cross Plains Buffaloes suffered a third straight loss to open District 7-2A Division II action as the No. 4 Albany Lions cruised to a 62-12 victory.
Cross Plains (3-5, 0-3) was held to 194 total yards – 114 passing and 80 rushing – with one turnover, while Albany (6-2, 3-0) finished with 461 yards, including 345 through the air with five scoring strikes.
Tyler Mackey rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown and Kade Purvis added 33 yards and a score on the ground. Purvis also completed 11 of 22 passes for 114 yards as Gray Albrecht grabbed six receptions for 49 yards and Landry Savell pulled in three catches for 52 yards.
Defensively, Mackey registered 10 tackles followed by seven each from Purvis and Albrecht, and six apiece from Bryson Barron and Jessey Bradford.
Next week, Cross Plains heads to Hamlin (5-3, 1-2), which is coming off a 41-0 loss to Miles (6-2, 2-1).
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Other Scores (No information reported)
Richland Springs 1, Panther Creek 0 (forfeit)
Oglesby 68, Priddy 0