The Class A Division I No. 1 May Tigers are targeting a sixth consecutive victory as they welcome the Newcastle Bobcats at 7:30 p.m. Friday for the annual homecoming contest.
The Tigers (5-0) have defeated Borden County (51-6), Sterling City (104-80), Knox City (65-16), Evant (63-6), and Blum (77-14) to open the season.
In last week’s rout of Blum, May continued its trend of scoring in all three phases of the game – offense, defense and special teams – as the Tigers returned two fumbles and a kickoff for touchdowns. The Tigers registered just 151 yards of total offense as they started their eight possessions on average at the Blum 25. May also forced five turnovers and yielded just 164 yards – 112 through the air and 52 on the ground.
For the season, the Tigers are averaging 72 points and 312 yards – 173 rushing and 139 passing per game – while giving up 24 points per contest.
Leading the way on the ground are Kaden Halk (322 yards, 7 TDs), Avery Williford (237 yards, 8 TDs), Blake Harrell (177 yards, 3 TDs), and Damian Salinas (84 yards, 4 TDs).
Through the air, Harrell has completed 22 of 32 passes for 495 yards with 9 touchdowns, while Luke McKenzie has connected 11 of 14 attempts for 183 yards with 5 scoring tosses.
Top receiving threats include Halk (12-217, 5 TDs), Kaysen King (8-215, 3 TDs), and Williford (4-125, 2 TDs).
Defensively – where the Tigers have produced six touchdowns thus far – top tacklers are Harrell (30 tackles, 7.5 for loss), Halk (22 tackles, 2 FRs, 2 for loss), Williford (35 tackles, 4 FRs, 11.5 for loss), Brian Kunkel (34 tackles, 4 FRs, 5 for loss), Salinas (31 tackles, 1 INT, 3 FRs, 3 for loss), and King (24 tackles, 1 INT, 1 FR).
Newcastle (3-1) is coming off a 68-22 victory over Ranger after the Bobcats’ first three games were decided by four points or less – a 47-46 win over Meadow, a 64-62 triumph over Crowell, and a 54-50 loss to Gordon.
The Bobcats are ranked 38th in Class A Division I by sixmanfootball.com. Also, according to sixmanfootball.com, May is a 45-point favorite.
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Evant (4-1) at Blanket (4-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
In a battle of squads who have lost just once this season, the Blanket Tigers play host to the Evant Elks on homecoming night for first-year head coach Casey Mund’s squad.
Since suffering their only loss to Lingleville, Blanket has rebounded with wins over Zephyr (61-0) and Gholson (68-0) – both winless squads. Evant’s only loss came at the hands of May, and the Elks bounced back with a 61-16 triumph over Penelope last week.
Blanket is averaging 50 points per game led by a ground attack that features Brayden Day (660 rushing yards, 15 TDs), Levi Vazquez (395 yards, 9 TDs), and Carlos Morales (295 rushing yards, 6 TDs).
Through the air, Brennan Varner has completed 12 of 22 passes for 137 yards with two scoring tosses. Leading receivers include Morales (3-37), Ayden Wheeler (2-66, TD), and Day (2-26).
Defensively, where the Tigers are giving up 23 points per game, leading tacklers are Day (42 tackles, 2 FR, 2 INTs), Vazquez (40 tackles, 3 INT, 2 FR), Morales (37 tackles, 2 FR), Wheeler (31 tackles, 1 FR), and Hayden Rogers (30 tackles, 1 FR).
Evant’s other wins this season have come against Cranfills Gap (68-49), Moran (51-6) and Brookesmith (56-6.) The Elks average 49 points and surrender 28 per outing on average.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Blanket is a 45-point underdog.
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Brookesmith (1-4) at Bluff Dale (3-1)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Brookesmith Mustangs will attempt to put an end to a three-game losing streak as they hit the road to challenge the Bluff Dale Bobcats.
Since their lone win over Abilene TLCA (30-26), the Mustangs have since fallen to Evant (56-6), Santa Anna (60-12) and Blackwell (48-0). Brookesmith was also downed by Veribest (41-12) in the season opener.
Meanwhile, Bluff Dale is in the midst of a three-game win streak with victories over Sidney (40-28), Fruitvale (50-48), and Iredell (50-0). The lone loss for the Bobcats took place in their season opener against Throckmorton (48-0).
In Brookesmith’s loss at Blackwell this past Saturday, the Mustangs were limited to 29 yards of total offense – 43 passing and -14 rushing – with four turnovers.
Grant Featherston completed 3 of 13 passes for 39 yards with three interceptions while Conner Heard was 1 of 4 for 4 yards. Featherston rushed for 5 yards and Heard finished with -19. Heard led Brookesmith with three catches for 39 yards and Featherston grabbed a 4-yard pass.
Defensively, Brookesmith yielded 160 yards – 121 on the ground and 39 through the air – with one takeaway.
Heard and Featherston led the Mustangs with 3 tackles apiece while Blayzon Walker, Brenden Been, and Mathew Chambers were each credited with 1 tackle.
According to sixmanfootball.com, Brookesmith is a 41-point underdog.
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Zephyr (0-5) at Cherokee (2-2)
7:30 p.m. Friday
The Zephyr Bulldogs continue to search for their first victory of the season as the road takes them to Cherokee Friday night to battle the Indians.
Zephyr has fallen to Sidney (21-18), Veribest (31-12), Stephenville Faith (65-19), Blanket (61-0), and Paint Rock (35-14) to open the season.
The Bulldogs are allowing 43 points per game and generating 13 on average. No other Zephyr stats are available.
Cherokee is riding a two-game win streak into Friday’s contest with victories over Gustine (66-18) and Cranfills Gap (60-35). The Indians started the year with losses to Medina (72-40) and Burnet Smoking for Jesus Christian (89-54).
According to sixmanfootball.com, Zephyr is a 45-point underdog.