Zephyr (9-1) vs. Evant (4-6)

6:30 pm. Thursday at Goldthwaite

The District 13-A Division II champion Zephyr Bulldogs are coming off their third consecutive league title, and now seek their first postseason victory in that span as they battle the District 14 runner-up Evant Elks in Class A Division II Region IV bi-district playoff action.

Zephyr wrapped up the district championship and No. 1 playoff seed with a 58-6 home victory over Gustine last week as the Bulldogs finished with 207 yards of total offense – 147 rushing and 60 passing – and allowed only 60 yards, including -34 on the ground, with a pair of takeaways.

Reese Hamm rushed for 62 yards and a pair of touchdowns and returned the opening kick 46 yards for six points, while Wyatt Stevens passed for 60 yards and two touchdowns – 29 yards to Trapper Schoenhals and 24 yards to CJ Byers, who also rushed for 18 yards and another score. Chayden Woodcock chipped in 44 yards on the ground and Corben Gosnell hauled in a 7-yard reception.

Stevens also returned a punt 43 yards for six points, and took an interception back 35 yards to the end zone, as he led the team with 10 tackles as well.

Evant has wins over this season over Buckholts (72-24), Mullin (54-6), Cranfills Gap (98-53) and Priddy (46-16), with losses to Three Way (49-0), Waco Christian (62-55), Blanket (54-0), Kopperl (77-28), Mount Calm (77-42) and Oglesby (64-0). In regard to common foes, Zephyr owns a 58-14 victory over Blanket.

Players to watch for Evant include Dylan Price, Wyatt Hitt, Cam McGilvray, and Tanner Manville.

Thursday’s winner will face District 15 champion Richland Springs (10-0), who received a bye into the second round as District 16 runner-up Calvert and third-place Buckholts both forfeited due to a lack of players

According to sixmanfootball.com, Zephyr is a 45-point favorite.

***

Comanche (7-3) vs. Peaster (8-2)

7 p.m. Thursday at Graham

The District 3-3A Division I tri-champion Comanche Indians, the league’s third seed, carries a three-game win streak into the postseason where they will square off with the District 4 runner-up Peaster Greyhounds in Region I-3A Division I bi-district playoff action.

Comanche is coming off a 42-14 victory over Clyde as the Indians produced 378 yards of total offense – 229 rushing and 149 passing.

Quarterback Cayden Davis completed 6 of 9 passes for 229 yards and five touchdowns, and also rushed for a team-high 78 yards with another trip to the end zone. For the year, Davis has thrown for 1,155 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 1,027 yards and eight more scores.

Alex Terrell contributed three catches – all touchdowns – covering 143 yards against Clyde, while Kazdon Thedford hauled in a 37-yard scoring reception and CT Buford grabbed a 35-yard touchdown catch. Ladanian Smith tacked on 47 yards rushing and also caught a 14-yard pass for the Indians.

Defensively, Badger Sanchez led Comanche with 12 tackles followed by eight from Manuel Ortiz, seven each from Smith and JJ Davis, and six from Ethan Dease.

Peaster owns a season-opening win over Tolar (10-0), which defeated Comanche (14-7), while the Greyhounds knocked off Early (50-36) as did the Indians (56-20). The losses for Peaster came at the hands of Jacksboro (32-13) and Paradise (35-14).

The Greyhounds are led by quarterbacks Kaden Albert (651 rushing yards, 11 TDs; 387 passing yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT) and Rhett Kennedy (1,193 passing yards, 9 TDs, 6 INTs), running back Hudson Salyers (585 rushing yards, 8 TDs), and receivers Slayte Robertson (30-539, 6 TDs), Brayden Gent (15-313, 3 TDs) and Cade McCollough (14-319, 4 TDs).

Friday’s winner will face either District 1 champion Shallowater (8-2) or District 2 fourth seed Brownfield (0-10) in the area round of the playoffs next week

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Comanche is a 4-point underdog.

***

Coleman (3-7) vs. Wolfe City (8-2)

7 p.m. Thursday at Godley

The Coleman Bluecats are riding a three-game win streak into the playoffs, as the third seed from District 5 will meet the District 6 runner-up Wolfe City Wolves in Class 2A Division I Region II bi-district playoff action Friday night.

In Coleman’s 31-16 victory over Bangs last week, the Bluecats generated 392 total yards – 221 rushing and 171 passing – with one turnover, while yielding just 141 yards – 94 through the air and just 47 on the ground – with one takeaway.

For the Bluecats, Blaine Bouldin rushed for 111 yards and a touchdown, Anthony Espitia added 59 yards with a trip to the end zone and Paul Salas contributed 28 yard on the ground and scored once.

Hunter Edington completed 12 of 24 passes for 171 yards with two touchdowns – one of 22 yards to Brody Bland, and one of 4 yards to Espitia, who led the Bluecats with four receptions for 54 yards.

Coleman’s defense was sparked by Salas and Cutter Cody with 14 tackles each, Brooks Clippinger with 13 and Easton Meador with 10. Skylar Clark and Darren Hurtado each recorded a sack for the Bluecats.

Wolfe City averages 47 points and allows 21 per game, with losses this season at the hands of Collinsville (54-42), which also defeated Coleman by a 52-6 count earlier this year, and Muenster (34-20).

The Wolves are led by running back HD Davis (2,679 rushing yards, 31 TDs; 10-182, 2 TD receiving), quarterback Noah Adams (826 passing yards, 14 TDs, 3 INTs), utility player Carson Herron (686 passing yards, 10 TD, 1 INT; 476 rushing yards, 7 TDs; 15-278, 4 TDs), and receivers Brennon Russell (26-564, 10 TDs), Chris Herron (21-251, 2 TDs), and Casen Pessel (19-161, 4 TDs).

Friday’s winner will face either District 7 champion Axtell (9-1) or District 8 fourth seed Cayuga (4-6) in the area round of the playoffs next week.

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Coleman is a 21-point underdog.

***

May (9-1) vs. Gordon (10-0)

7 p.m. Friday at Santo

The District 14-A Division I second seed May Tigers suffered their first loss of 2024 in the regular season finale, 60-30 to Jonesboro, to slip to No. 8 in the latest Class A Division I state rankings, and by virtue of the loss must now face District 13 champion and top-ranked Gordon in the Class A Division I Region IV bi-district round of the playoffs.

In last week’s 30-point loss to Jonesboro, the Tigers finished with 380 yards of total offense – 207 passing and 173 rushing – but committed three turnovers, all on interceptions.

Ben Harrell rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns while passing for 82 yards and two scores. Kaden Watkins caught two passes for 88 yards and a touchdown and Jackson Lusk added two receptions for 10 yards and also scored once.

Other offensive standouts included Cayson Dail (4 of 10 for 83 yards, INT), Kobey Morris (3 of 6 for 87 yards, INT; 2-17 receiving), Lane Goodson (3-38), and Brody Stice (2-69).

Leading the way for the May defense were Mikey Scheriger with 17 tackles, Goodson with 15, Harrell with 10, Morris with seven, Watkins with four, and Lusk with three.

Gordon, the reigning Class A Division I state champion, has outscored its foes 561-34 on the season and no opponent has tallied more than 14 points against the Longhorns, who have recorded seven shutouts, including four in a row.

Longhorns to watch include Riley Reed, Stryker Reed, Brayden Walters, Noah Kostiha, Tristan Ross, Asher Salinas, Aiden Shank and Maddox Stewart, among others.

Friday’s winner will face either District 15 champion Menard (8-1) or District 16 runner-up Benavides (5-5) in the regional semifinal round of the playoffs next week.

According to sixmanfootball.com, May is a 45-point underdog.

***

Blanket (8-1) vs. Oglesby (8-2)

7 p.m. Friday at Hico

After a one-year absence, the Blanket Tigers are back in the playoffs as the runner-up from District 13-A Division II and have drawn District 14 champion and third-ranked Oglesby in the Class A Division II Region IV bi-district round.

The Tigers secured their playoff berth with a 43-8 victory over Sidney last week as Blanket generated 316 total yards – 160 passing and 156 rushing.

Brian Shannon caught nine passes for 129 yards and three touchdowns as Dallas Shumaker completed 8 of 14 passes for 101 yards and two scores and Cameron Aultman was 2 of 4 for 59 yards with a touchdown.

Aultman also rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown Kannon Kensing chipped in 74 yards and a score on the ground. Mason Beck also hauled in a 29-yard reception.

Defensively for the Tigers, Kensing returned a fumble 38 yards for a touchdown and added 12 tackles, while Abel McLaughlin also notched 12 tackles with two sacks, and Aultman tallied 12 tackles with a fumble recovery. Shannon tacked on five tackles and a fumble recovery as well.

Oglesby is riding an eight-game win streak into the contest after falling to Abbott (68-40) and May (66-45) to start the season.

Tigers to keep an eye on include Kyler Fossett (1,229 rushing yards, 30 TDs; 316 passing yards, 4 TDs; 9-229, 4 TDs receiving), Alex Castillo (441 passing yards, 9 TDs; 5-101, 2 TDs receiving) and Jack Hendricks (16-298, 5 TDs receiving).

Friday’s winner will face either District 16 champion Cherokee (9-1) or District 15 runner-up Rochelle (5-4) in the regional semifinal round next week.

According to sixmanfootball.com, Blanket is a 45-point underdog.

***

San Saba (6-4) vs. Crawford (2-8)

7 p.m. Friday at Copperas Cove

The District 14-2A Division I second seed San Saba Armadillos face the District 13 fourth seed Crawford Pirates, who had to win their final game of the regular season to crash the playoff party, in Class 2A Division I Region IV bi-district action.

San Saba is coming off a 35-0 loss to district champion and sixth-ranked Mason as the Armadillos were without quarterback and leading rusher Luke Tharp, who gained 1,547 yards with 18 touchdowns over the first nine games.

Last week, San Saba was limited to 128 total yards – 99 rushing and 29 passing.

Jason Everett rushed for 36 yards, Alex Estrada added 29 and Levi Glover chipped in 24. Glover also passed for 19 yards and caught a 2-yard pass, while Winton Lackey rushed for 10 yards and passed for 10 yards. Cash Bryant hauled in a 19-yard catch, and Everett added a 4-yard catch.

Defensively for the Armadillos, Glover and Juan Patino each recorded a team-high six tackles followed by five from Danny English. Patino also recovered a fumble.

Crawford knocked off Rosebud-Lott, 34-20, to clinch a postseason berth with only its second win of the season. Quarterback Kade Smith completed 15 of 25 passes for 358 yards and three touchdowns, while JJ Suarez caught eight passes for 234 yards and a touchdown and Jordan Archer rushed for 56 yards and a score.

The only other win for Crawford came against Moody, 34-6, in the district opener.

The Pirates and Armadillos have two foes in common – Hamilton and Holland. San Saba dropped a district outing to Holland, 44-41, while Crawford fell in the pre-district finale, 42-13. Against Hamilton, San Saba came up short, 40-21, while Crawford suffered a 38-22 defeat.

Friday’s winner will face either District 15 champion and fourth-ranked Ganado (9-1) or District 16 fourth seed Skidmore-Tynan (2-8) in the area round of the playoffs next week.

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, the game is a toss up.

***

Goldthwaite (6-4) vs. Maud (6-4)

7 p.m. Friday at Corsicana

Fresh off a 46-0 thrashing of then-No. 1 Mart, the District 10-2A Division II fourth seed Goldthwaite Eagles begin their first postseason run under head coach Andy Howard against the District 11 champion Maud Cardinals in Class 2A Division II Region III bi-district action.

Last week, Goldthwaite led reigning state finalist Mart by a 20-0 count after one quarter and 40-0 at halftime. The Eagles finished with 450 yards – 367 rushing and 83 passing – while allowing just 120 yards – 66 on the ground and 54 through the air – with a pair of takeaways.

Luke Sanderson rushed for 174 yards and three touchdowns, caught two passes for 65 yards, and also threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Aidyn Lee. Landry Sanderson tacked on 148 yards on the ground and also scored once. Lee finished with 74 yards through the air with a touchdown and 19 yards and a score on the ground, while Gary Wiedebusch contributed 29 yards rushing and caught a 9-yard pass as well.

For the season, Luke Sanderson has rushed for 1,367 yards with 16 touchdowns while Landry Sanderson has contributed 1,128 yards on the ground and 11 trips to the end zone.

Maud won all six of its district games over Detroit (30-12), Clarksville (34-22), Simms Bowie (28-12), Celeste (28-7), Cumby (22-20). and Linden-Kildare (46-0). Prior to district, however, the Cardinals were defeated by Hawkins (74-16), Elysian Fields (56-24), Mount Enterprise (44-16) and Overton (40-6).

Friday’s winner will face either District 12 second seed West Sabine (7-3) or District 11 third seed Grapeland (7-3) in the area round of the playoffs next week.

According to Harris Ratings Weekly, Goldthwaite is a 30-point favorite.

***

Richland Springs (10-0, BYE)

Due to District 16 runner-up Calvert and third-place Buckholts both forfeiting due to a lack of players, the District 15-A Division II champion and second-ranked Richland Springs Coyotes received a bye into the second round of the playoffs.

The Coyotes will face either District 13 champion Zephyr (9-1) or District 14 runner-up Evant (4-6) in the regional semifinal round next week.