Javier Martinez (5) makes a catch over Canyon’s Joe Shaw during a crucial District 3-4A Division I matchup at Kimbrough Stadium on Friday night. [Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
Defense holds as Demons down Eagles in district showdown
The Demons proved their latest No. 4 state ranking by holding off a late surge by Canyon for a 21-14 win in a thrilling District 3-4A Division I opener on Happy State Bank Field at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium on Friday night.
Dumas stunned the Eagles, exploding for all 21 points in the first quarter to open a commanding 21-0 lead.
Canyon finally got on the board in the third quarter by taking the second half kickoff and going 63 yards in 14 plays for the score that concluded with Brody Cook scoring on a 1-yard run.
The opening moment of the fourth quarter things got even dicier for Dumas, when Canyon quarterback Brandon Driskell found 6-foot-4 Jack McKay over the middle. McKay used a still arm and sprung loose for a 78-yard score, cutting the lead, 21-14 with 11:46 to play.
That’s as close as Canyon could cut the lead, as a final drive was halted by two crucial penalties, a Davin Gates sack, and a fumble recovery by Dumas to seal it.
Demons running back Jacob Mares made was superb, rushing for 146 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown.
Notorious for their defensive play, Dumas stood its ground against a potent Eagle offensive attack, holding Canyon to 289 total yards, 27 of which were on the ground.
McKay had a huge night for Canyon in defeat with seven catches for 222 yards.
The Demons stay unbeaten at to 8-0 and are 1-0 in district.
Canyon falls to 6-2, 0-1.
Dumas 21, Canyon 14
Dumas 21 — 21
Canyon 0 7 7 — 14
First Quarter
D—Jacob Mares 56 run (Ah Lee Yart kick), 11:07
D—Louis Ortiz 77 pass from Spencer Williams (Yart kick), 4:34
D—Kyle Stroebel 83 pass from Williams (Yart kick), 0:21
Third Quarter
C—Brody Cook 1 run (Rafe Butcher kick), 7:53
Fourth Quarter
C—Jack McKay 78 pass from Brandon Driskell (Butcher kick), 11:47
Dumas Canyon
First downs 14 15
Rushing 219 22
Passing 186 262
Total yards 405 284
C-A-I 8-14-1 17-35-3
Punts-Avg. 6-38.8 6-36.0
Fumbles-lost 1-1 3-1
Penalties-yards 12-115 8-65
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
Rushing—Dumas: Williams 12-52, Mares 12-143, Bryan Mendoza 3-6, Damian Orozco 1-2, Cito Rodriguez 3-16. Canyon: Cook 6-10, Wayne Sheard 7-14, Ethan Cowan 4-7, Driskell 12-(-9).
Passing—Dumas: Williams 8-14-1-186. Canyon: Driskell 17-35-3-262.
Receiving—Dumas: Stroebel 3-83, Ortiz 3-104, Victor Chavez 2-(-1). Canyon: Brayden Brewer 2-16, Sheard 1-(-4), McKay 7-222, Joe Shaw 2-6, Butcher 5-22.
Pampa explodes for 52 points in rout of Herd
Pampa QB Tucker Bridwell dives in for a first quarter touchdown against Hereford on Friday night at Harvester Field. [Mackenzie Teal/ Press Pass Sports]
The Pampa Harvesters scored early and often on their way to a convincing 52-25 trouncing of rival Hereford in a key District 3-4A Division I opener on Friday night at Harvester Field.
It’s the first win for Pampa coach Greg Poynor against Hereford, after dropping every meeting since 2014.
Pampa improves to 7-1 overall and 1-0 in District 3-4A Division I. Hereford is now 3-5, 0-1.
Pampa quarterback Tucker Bridwell was the story. Bridwell was deadly accurate, going 14 of 18 for 435 yards and six touchdowns by air.
He also rushed for another score on a 5-yard scamper that put Pampa up 14-0 in the first quarter.
Joey Hill and Kevin Sanchez benefitted from Bridwell’s stellar performance. Hill snagged seven catches for 204 yards and three scores, while Sanchez made five catches for 210 yards and a pair of TDs.
Pampa 52, Hereford 25
Hereford 7 11 7 — 25
Pampa 21 10 7 14 — 52