Class 3A Division II
Spearman takes down Abernathy
In one of the biggest upsets of the opening round, the Spearman Lynx executed a game-plan to perfection that left Abernathy scratching its head as Spearman took down Abernathy, 21-7, on Friday night at Happy State Bank Stadium.
Spearman (4-7) had to beat Tulia last week just to nab the fourth and final seed out of District 3-3A, while Abernathy, which finishes 8-3 overall, was the outright District 4-3A champion and No. 1-seed from the league.
“This time of year, it’s about who is playing well at the right time,” Spearman head coach Aaron Witten said. “The number next to your name means nothing. This team came out and played like a No. 1-seed and fought hard. They deserved to win the game.”
From the start Abernathy had trouble defending new looks the Lynx had implemented on offense in recent weeks. Spearman lined up jumbo packages, used multiple shifts as well as misdirection to throw the Antelopes defense off track. Spearman took its opening drive and established the tone going over 70 yards in 16 plays resulting in a Cason Mackie 2-yard score giving the Lynx a 7-0 lead. After forcing a key fumble in the second quarter, the Lynx went back to work going 11 plays in 50 yards for another Mackie touchdown putting Spearman up 14-0 at the half.
In the second half it was more of the same. Stuck deep in their own end of the field, a short Abernathy punt gave Spearman the ball at the Antelopes 36-yard midway through the third quarter. Not a minute later, Mackie found paydirt for his third touchdown of the night, this time from 7-yards out as Spearman was in complete control up 21-0.
The Lynx offense only put the ball in the air three times totaling 284 of their 299 total yards on the ground. Mackie carried the load from the running back and Wildcat position chewing up 101 yards on 24 carries with all three touchdowns. Quarterback Jack Davis added 82 yards on 15 carries. Spearman’s defense did its job holding Abernathy 210 total yards and just 122 passing.
The Lynx move on to the area round to battle Alpine (5-6) in the area round at a time and place to be determined.
Childress avenges last season stunner
Not many teams had a bi-district focus to come away with a win like the Childress Bobcats. Coming off a devasting loss in the same round a year ago where Childress was ranked No. 3 in in Class 3A Division II and undefeated only to suffer a stunning loss at the hands of Stanton.
That didn’t happen this time around as the Bobcats took care of business handling Coahoma 46-20 for an opening round victory on Friday night at Tyer Stadium in Floydada.
Childress (7-4 overall) advances to the area round to play Wall (10-1) at 7 p.m. Friday in Breckinridge.
Da’reon Mathis had a great night for Childress carrying the ball 21 times for 191 yards with a touchdown. Teammate Seth Taylor added 76 yards rushing with a score and had three catches for 32 yards and another TD.
Class 2A Division I
Panhandle handles Floydada
Panhandle scored on its opening three possessions and never looked back going on for a convincing 54-28 victory over Floydada in a Class 2A Division I bi-district game on Friday night at Happy State Bank Stadium.
The Panthers (9-2) advance to the area round of the playoffs to get a showdown with No. 2-ranked Hawley (11-0) at 3 p.m. Friday at PlainsCapital Park Lowrey Field in Lubbock.
Panhandle established the momentum on its opening drive marching right down the field that led to a Wyatt Brookshire 15-yard touchdown and following a 2-point conversion 8-0.
Brookshire and Landyn Hack were just too much for the Whirlwinds (6-5) to handle. Behind the duo Panhandle took a 32-7 lead into halftime then pushed that advantage to 54-7 before some late Floydada scores. Hack was his incredible self. On the ground, the 6-foot-3 senior carried it 15 times for 224 yards with three scores and was 24-of-34 passing for 242 yards and two more TDs. Brookshire added 114 yards rushing on 22 carries with a pair of touchdowns on the night.
Sunray outguns Shamrock
Sunray was able to outlast Shamrock putting up the points in a 53-35 victory in the Class 2A Division II bi-district round on Friday night in Borger.
Sunray quarterback Armando Lujan was dialed in going 35-of-46 throwing for 504 yards with four touchdowns. The 504 yards is a new school record for most yards passing in a game. Lujan also ran for another 41 yards on 11 carries finding the end zone four more times for a total of eight on the night. Wide receiver Kagan Davis benefited the most from Lujan’s massive outing snagging 11 catches for 161 yards and two scores. Damian Barragan caught six balls for 139 yards with a TD.
Shamrock ends the year at 7-4. Caden Peevey led the team with 153 yards receiving and two scores.
Sunray (9-2) is on to the area round to take on New Home (10-1) at 7 p.m. Friday at Whiteface Stadium in Hereford.