GUTHRIE – Playing for just the second time this season, the reigning Class A Division II state champion and third-ranked Richland Springs Coyotes rolled past the first-year Darrouzett Longhorns, 56-7, here Thursday night.
Richland Springs (2-0), coming off its ninth six-man state championship, jumped out to a 36-0 leaf after one quarter and outscored Darrouzett (0-4) by a 20-7 count in the second period.
The Coyotes finished with 144 yards of total offense – 82 passing and 62 rushing – with no turnovers, while giving up just 31 yards on 29 snaps with six takeaways.
Jadeyn Bryant opened the scoring with an 11-yard fumble return for a Richland Springs touchdown just 68 seconds into the contest. Landon Burkhart followed with a 25-yard scoring toss to Bryant, then Burkhart rushed for a 10-yard touchdown to increase the lead to 24-0.
Another Darrouzett fumble was returned 3 yards for a second defensive touchdown by Bryant, then Brandon Stewart rushed for a 7-yard touchdown to stretch the lead to 36-0 by quarter’s end.
In the second period, the Coyotes yielded a 72-yard touchdown run, but Bryant answered with a 44-yard scoring toss to T.J. Grant. Kenny Triplett followed with a 13-yard scoring sprint, then Triplett hurled a 13-yard touchdown pass to Keston Lusty to cap the scoring.
Bryant finished with 44 yards passing trailed by Burkhart with 25 and Triplett with 13. Stewart picked up 22 yards on the ground, Jeremiah Usery rushed for 17, Triplett added 13 and Burkhart finished with 10. Grant caught a 44-yard pass, Bryant added a 25-yard reception and Lusty yanked down a 13-yard catch.
Defensively, Cohen Tharp led Richland Springs with 5.5 tackles followed by 4.5 from Stewart, 3.5 from Lusty, two each from Grant and Nick Nilson, 1.5 from Lane Garcia and one each from Bryant, Usery, Zane Capps, and Chase Gossett. Stewart also tallied an interception.
Next week, Richland Springs is slated to host Fort Worth Covenant Classical Christian (0-0) at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Coyote Field.