Vega’s Clay Gilter celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Sudan on Friday night during a Class 2A Division II area game in Dimmitt. [Mackenzie Teal/ Press Pass Sports]
The Vega Longhorns turned heads by dismantling previously unbeaten Sudan in surprising 55-14 beating in a Class 2A Division II area matchup in Dimmitt on Friday night.
The Hornets had never trailed in a game all year long, but that changed quickly when Longhorn running back Clay Gilter found the endzone on the opening drive for a 6-0 lead.
Sudan responded by blocking the extra-point, returning it 97-yards, putting the score at 6-2.
That was it for the Hornets. Vega put the hammer down in dominating fashion the rest of the way, scoring 34 unanswered to halftime for a commanding 41-2 advantage.
The Longhorns chewed up 400 yards behind a powerful offensive line.
Quarterback Carson Kirkland did his damage rushing for 92 yards, throwing for 91 yards with a combined three touchdowns. Teammate and running back Riley Tiemman led the team on the ground rushing
Vega’s defense was more impressive as the Longhorns stalled a Sudan’s offense that had averaged 52 points a game, and hadn’t been held to under 40 points all season.
The Longhorn defense held the Hornets to a season-low , forcing five turnovers.
Vega (8-3) is headed for the regional semifinals for a second straight year. The Longhorns now await the Wink-Ralls winner. Those two teams play at 3 p.m. Saturday at PlainsCapital Park-Lowrey Field in Lubbock.
Vega 55, Sudan 14
Vega 20 21 7 7 — 55
Sudan 2 6 6 — 14
Greyhounds score 35 unanswered to sink Van Horn
The Greyhounds used a huge second half to pull away from Van Horn to capture a Class 2A Division II area victory 59-26 against Van Horn Friday night at Peoples Bank Stadium in Wolfforth.
Believe it or not the Eagles held a 26-24 halftime.
That all changed when the Greyhounds woke up to score 35 unanswered points in the second half. Unlike last week’s bidistrict game where Gruver gave up 29 second half points to Tahoka, the Greyhounds defense blanked Van Horn in the second helping with lopsided win.
Receiver Hunter Hayes has been having an unforgettable postseason. Haynes topped his performance against Tahoka from last week, accounting for 244 all-purpose yards and six total touchdowns.
Gruver’s defense held the Eagles to 1 of 9 on third down conversions.
Gruver (8-4) advances to the regional semifinal for a third straight year, and will now get set for a rematch with district rival Stratford (11-1) at 2 p.m. Friday at Dick Bivins Stadium.
Gruver 59, Van Horn 26
Gruver 16 8 22 13 — 59
Van Horn 20 6 — 26
Wheeler and Wellington roll in area meetings
District 5-2A Division II flexed its muscle in a pair of wins Friday night.
The Wellington Skyrockets blasted Christoval 55-22 at the Mustang Bowl in Sweetwater, while the Wheeler Mustangs hammered Eldorado 65-12 at Lobos Stadium in Wellington.
Wellington, the 5-2A DII champions, improve to 11-1 overall, and will now battle Windthorst at 7 p.m. Friday on Leo Brittain Field at Lions Stadium in Vernon.
The Trojans (10-2) stunned Albany Friday night in an area game, 24-20.
Wellington’s Marc Ramirez and Jaden Combs combined for 300 yards rushing. Ramirez rushed for 160 yards on 11 carries with three touchdowns, while Combs piled up 140 yards with three TDs.
Wheeler running back Hesston Marshall tacked on to his incredible 475 yard performance from last week. The lighting fast junior ran over Eldorado for 166 yards on 23 carries with three touchdowns.
Marshall has now ran for 671 yards in two playoff games.
Quarterback Gustavo Andrade added 92 yards with four scores.
The Mustangs (10-2) will play Hamlin (9-2) at 6 p.m. Friday in Childress.
Class 2A Division I
Comanches out gun Panthers in area round
West Texas High receiver Jaykob Hernandez is fired up after scoring a touchdown against Seymour on Friday night in Childress. [Tucker Stroud/ Press Pass Sports]
West Texas High continues to pile up the points on a weekly basis.
That didn’t slow down Friday night, as the Comanches racked up 537 yards of offense in a 56-26 win against Seymour at Fair Park Stadium in Childress.
The Comanches improve to 11-1 overall and will now get set for a regional semifinal showdown against undefeated Post (12-0) at a time and place to be determined.
Avian Cruz and Jaykob Hernandez were the offensive catalyst in the Comanches throttling of the Panthers, who finish the year 7-5.
Cruz was efficient going 9 of 11 for 255 yards and five touchdown passes. He also ran through the defense for 131 yards and another score.
Hernandez hauled in five of those catches for 191 with four touchdown snags.
West Texas High 56, Seymour 24
West Texas High 14 28 14 — 56
Seymour 6 12 8 — 26