McLean’s Ben Crockett, right, plows through the snow against White Deer on Friday night. [Mackenzie Teal/ Press Pass Sports]
McLean makes a statement
McLean exploded in the second quarter to to blow out White Deer 66-22 on a snow-packed Bucks Stadium on Friday night.
What was suppose to be the game of the night in the Texas Panhandle, the No. 4 Tigers showed why their the defending Class 1A Division I state champions outscoring the Bucks 38-8 in the second quarter alone.
Field condition played a major factor in this matchup. On arrival to the field, each team was faced with the task of playing on 2-3 inches of packed snow. The effects could be seen throughout the game, as players were unable to catch footing on a majority of plays.
Ben does it again
Once again it was an impressive showing for the reigning Class 1A Player of the Year Ben Crockett. The 6’1 215 running back plow through the snow as well as the White Deer defense for 274 yards on 30 carries with five touchdowns.
Crockett’s biggest play of the night came on a 39-yard touchdown run to break the game wide open early in the second quarter.
The running back continues to be a driving force for Tigers as they move to 7-1 overall and 1-0 in District 1-1A Division I.
Defense holds strong
While having Crockett is always a good key to success, this game was won by the McLean defense. The Tigers were able to keep the entirety of the game on one side of the field in the first half. The only exception came on a John Perriman 57-yard touchdown run.
Other than that, the Tigers held the Bucks under 200 yards of offense. December.
McLean 66, White Deer
McLean 6 38 8 14 — 66
White Deer 8 16 — 22
Gruver pulls away from Vega
Gruver’s Hunter Haynes sheds a tackler against Vega on Friday night at Greyhounds Stadium. [David Erickson/ Press Pass Sports]
Gruver kept Vega at arms length for an important 22-13 District 3-2A Division II win on Friday night at Greyhounds Stadium.
Gruver stays unbeaten in district at 2-0 and improves to 6-2 overall. The Longhorns drop their second straight game, falling to 6-3, 1-2.
The Greyhounds led a close game 16-13 entering the fourth quarter. Deep in their own territory, quarterback Carter Armes found Jalin Conyers who broke away for an 81-yard touchdown, extending the advantage to 22-13, giving Gruver much needed breathing room.
Armes played big at QB for Conyers who has an arm injury and having to play receiver.
Armes threw for 176 yards with a score and ran for another touchdown on 91 yards rushing.
Conyers hauled in five catches, despite a cast on his hand, for 128 yards and a TD.
Gruver 22, Vega 13
Vega 7 6 — 13
Gruver 16 6 — 22
District 1-2A Division I
Freshman leads the charge for Panthers
Panhandle continues to roll through district play thanks to a 69-12 rout of Sunray at home Friday night.
The story of the night was do-it-all performer Landyn Hack. The freshman has made recent standout showings, however, Friday’s performance was immaculate.
The 6-foot-4, 185 pound Hack could do no wrong as he found the endzone five times, finishing with 205 yards rushing.
Junior receiver Zach Wood was another weapon in the Panther arsenal, as he caught five passes for 133 yards.
Panhandle solidifies its playoff hopes, moving to 7-1 on the year and 3-0 in District 1-2A Division I. Sunray falls to 1-7, 1-2.
Panhandle 69, Sunray 12
Sunray 6 6 — 12
Panhandle 21 27 21 — 69
Hornets stay in playoff hunt
The Highland Park Hornets snapped a five-game losing skid while keeping their playoff hopes by doubling up Sanford-Fritch 40-20 at Eagles Stadium.
The Hornets are 3-5 overall and now 1-2 in District 1-2A Division I.
The Eagles fall to 1-7, 1-2.
Quarterback Hunter Nicholas led Highland Park throwing for 384 yards and five touchdowns.
Highland Park 40, S. Fritch
H. Park 14 8 0 18 — 40
S. Fritch 0 12 8 0 — 20
14-0 us first. 22-12 us second. 22-20 us 3rd. 40-20 4th
Comanches blank Boys Ranch
West Texas High didn’t look ahead to next week’s showdown with Panhandle, shutting out Boys Ranch 53-0 on Friday.
WT High improves to 6-2 overall and 3-0 in district. The Roughriders remain winless at 0-8, 0-3.
Comanches receiver Jonah Villanueva totaled 91 yards of offense with a combined two touchdowns.
District 5-2A Division II
Wellington and Wheeler cruise
Wellington and Wheeler stayed unbeaten in District 5-2A Division II with a pair of shutout wins Friday night.
Wellington (7-1, 3-0) blanked Shamrock, 48-0, while Wheeler (7-1, 3-0) shutout Memphis 50-0.
In the Mustangs win, running back Hesston Marshall ran for 190 yards on only five carries with three TDs.
During the Skyrockets victory, Jaden Combs rushed for 122 yards on six carries with a pair of scores.