Dumas celebrates after making a big defensive play against Wichita Falls Hirschi on Friday afternoon during a Class 4A Division I bidistrict meeting at PlainsCapital Park-Lowrey Field in Lubbock. [Mackenie Teal/ Press Pass Sports]
The year was 1997.
That was the last time Dumas had won a playoff game, until Friday afternoon’s epic 22-17 Class 4A Division I bidistrict showdown against Wichita Falls Hirschi at PlainsCapital Park-Lowrey Field in Lubbock.
Head coach Aaron Dunnam’s Demons snapped the 22-year drought with a stout defensive effort, and a late offensive rally.
Defense has been the staple for the Demons in Dunnam’s tenure, and it was again Friday. The Demons held a high-powered Hirschi offense to 279 total yards.
However, the win was a complete team effort against the Huskies, who end the year 5-6.
Dumas was able to stay undefeated and punch a ticket to area in heroic fashion.
Trailing 17-16, with 2:45 left in the game,
Dumas running back Cito Rodriguez pounded the ball into the endzone, giving the Demons its only lead of the afternoon, that withstood the rest of the way.
Dumas is 11-0 overall as the historic season continues against against Seminole at 7 p.m. Thursday night at Greg Sherwood Memorial Bulldogs Stadium in Plainview.
Rodriguez carried the ball 16 times for 82 yards. Receiver Kyle Stroebel made two catches for 80 yards, including a clutch 75-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter.
Dumas 22, WF Hirschi 17
Dumas 7 9 6 — 22
WF Hirschi 7 7 3 — 17
Pampa thwarts Gainesville
Fresh off his Built Ford Tough presentation earlier in the week, Pampa’s Tucker Bridwell gave another performance that merited statewide attention.
Bridwell and the Harvester put on an offensive exhibition in a 56-28 thumping of Gainesville in a Class 4A Division I bidistrict game Friday night on Leo Brittain Field at Lions Stadium in Vernon.
Pampa ran out to a 14-0 first quarter lead.
It was in the third quarter when the Harvesters pulled away, outscoring Gainesville, 28-14.
Bridwell sliced and diced through the Leopards defense. The senior gunslinger completed 26 of 39 passes for 420 yards and five touchdowns while running for another. Receiver Joey Hill benefited most. Hill caught 10 passes for 263 yards and was on the receiving end of four touchdowns from Bridwell.
Sophomore running back Cornelius Landers showed his versatility. Landers had 13 carries for 128 yards and a TD, while catching five balls for 40 yards.
Pampa improves to 9-2 overall, advancing to the area round to play Andrews (10-1).
Gainesville ends its year at 8-3.
Pampa 56, Gainesville 28
Pampa 14 21 14 7 — 56
Gainesville 0 6 14 8 — 28
Decatur soars over Canyon
CHILDRESS— The Decatur Eagles captured the Class 4A Division bidistrict crown with a convincing 55-28 win over Canyon on Friday night on Charlie Johnston Field at Fair Park Stadium in Childress.
Decatur stays undefeated at 11-0 on the season, advancing to the area round of the playoffs to take on Clint Mountain View.
Canyon’s frustrating season comes to a sad end. After a 6-0 start to the year, Canyon dropped its final five games, never recovering from key injuries on both sides of the ball.
Decatur’s Roman Fuller started the scoring off early when he connected with Layton Harris for a 25 yard score for the first TD of the game.
An interception by Decatur midfield eventually lead to a Gunner Ragsdale 5-yard run, and following an extra-point, Decatur ran out to a 14-0 advantage with 3:53 remaining in the first quarter.
Canyon was able to cut the lead, 21-14, on a touchdown with 2:51 left in the first half.
However, Decatur answered when Dayne Chapman scored from 12-yards out to take the Decatur lead to 28-14.
Canyon was left chasing from that point forward.
—Ginger Wilson
Class 3A Division I
Bushland blasts Tornillo
The Falcons road their 10-0 record into Denver City Friday night, and improve to 11-0 in the 70-8 thumping of the Coyotes.
A district championship was only the beginning for Jimmy Thomas’ Falcons. Bushland shows all signs of making a lengthy run this postseason.
The Falcon offense was dominant against Tornillo Friday.Bushland senior Jared Thomas led a faced paced offense with 153 yards through the air on 5-6 passes for four touchdowns. Aaron McClain was efficient on the ground for Bushland as the running back rushed five times for 78 yards.
The Falcons head to the Area round where they will face off against Whitesboro (7-4) who is coming off an upset victory over Eastland 30-21.
Bushland 70, Tornillo 8
Bushland 42 14 14 0 70
Tornillo 0 0 0 8 8
Class 3A Division II
Friona takes out Anson
Friona won its first playoff game since 2009 by beating Anson 37-22 in a Class 3A Division II bistrict matchup Friday in Post.
The Chieftains are now 9-2 overall and advance to face Alpine (9-2) in the area round at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Mustang Bowl in Andrews.
Friona broke the game open by scoring 30 points between the second and third quarters.
Friona running back Jacob Bautista shouldered the load rushing for 354 yards with five touchdowns.
Friona 38, Anson 22
Friona 12 18 7 — 38
Anson 7 7 8 — 22