Canadian’s Isay Ramirez looks for running room against Friona during the Wildcats District 3-3A Division II showdown against Friona on Friday night at Wildcats Stadium. [Alan Hale/ Press Pass Sports]
Canadian held off a strong second half rally from a valiant Friona squad continuing its winning ways 33-27 in a key District 3-3A Division II showdown Friday at Wildcats Stadium.
The No. 5-ranked Wildcats (7-1 overall) are now 4-0 in district, while pushing its Texas Panhandle leading district win streak to 47 straight victories.
Friona has now dropped two straight falling to 6-2, 2-2.
Canadian also clinches a Class 3A playoff spot in the process with the win.
The Wildcats played a superb first half taking a 17-0 lead into halftime. Canadian’s defense had held the Chieftains to 64 yards through the first two quarters, and the offense was able to tack on points behind Isay Ramirez 14-yard score for a 7-0 lead, and a second quarter Camren Cavalier 21-yard pitch and catch to Angel Garcia for a 17-0 advantage.
But Friona never wavered. The Chieftains chipped away at the Wildcats lead thanks to Bryan Chavira 76-yard touchdown run, and a Chavira pass to Kade Crosby making it 24-14 Canadian. The Wildcats did add a key TD late in the third Ramirez broke free for a 54-yard touchdown scamper that pushed the lead 31-14.
But Friona wasn’t done. Cutting the deficit to 31-21, the Chieftains made it interesting on 1-yasd plunge, and all of a sudden it was 31-27 Canadian with 4:37 left in the game. However, on the extra-point Garcia broke through the line to block the kick allowing Jaxtyn Valenzuela to scoop the ball and run it back for a 2-point turnaround putting the Wildcats up 33-27.
Canadian was then able to run the clock out on the ensuing possession. Garcia, a senior leader, had a huge night with 11 catches for 185 yards and a TD. Ramirez was stellar rushing for 154 yards on 27 carries with three touchdowns.
Chavira did all he could for the Chieftains passing for 141 yards, rushing for 126 yards with four total scores.
Canadian 33, Friona 27
Friona 14 13 — 27
Canadian 7 10 14 2 — 33
District 3-3A Division II
Childress remains undefeated
Childress pulled away from Tulia to remain perfect on the year with a 56-21 win on Senior Night at Fair Park Stadium in Childress on Friday.
The No. 3-ranked Bobcats enter the bye week at 8-0 overall, and 5-0 in District 3-3A Division II. The Hornets fall to 5-3, 2-2.
Quarterback Collin Bishop was near flawless in the victory for the Bobcats completing 28-of-31 passes for 364 yards and three touchdowns. Bishop piled up 119 yards rushing with another three TDs, giving him seven total on the night.
Lamont Nickelberry and Seth Taylor were the benefactors of Bishop. Both receivers had eight catches. Taylor had 108 yards, while Nickelberry had three touchdowns on 105 yards.
Tulia quarterback Travon McCaslin had 287 yards passing with a TD despite the loss.
Childress 56, Tulia 21
Tulia 7 0 7 7 — 21
Childress 14 14 7 21 — 56
Spearman downs Dimmitt
Spearman had no troubles downing Dimmitt 57-6 on Friday night at Lynx Stadium.
Carson Seaman had a big night for the Lynx throwing for 208 yards with four touchdown tosses, and added a rushing TD. Cade Seaman, Carson’s brother, was on the receiving end of two of those touchdown receptions.
Spearman is now 5-3 overall and 2-2 in District 3-3A Division II. Dimmitt drops to 2-7, 0-5.
Spearman 57, Dimmitt 6
Dimmitt 0 6 — 6
Spearman 21 7 14 15 — 57
District 2-3A Division I
Muleshoe out guns River Road
In what became quite the shootout, the Muleshoe Mules earned their first district win and gave River Road its first league loss in a 42-38 victory at Wildcats Stadium on Friday.
This game was back-and-forth throughout with Muleshoe doing it by air, and the Wildcats on the ground.
The Mules led 28-20 at half only to see River Road take a 32-28 advantage after three quarters.
In the fourth the lead changed on three separate occasions. Quarterback Zach Halsey put Muleshoe back on top 35-32 on a 26-yard connection to Irvin torres with 11:15 left, River Road answered quickly back on a 26-yard pass play of its own when Elliot Brown snagged a 25-yard TD catch to regain the lead, 38-35.
But it was the Mules with the final say with just under two minutes to go. Trailing by three, Daniel Sianez found the endzone from 3-yards out with 1:54 to play for the eventual game-winning touchdown.
Halsey led Muleshoe throwing for 307 yards on 25-of-42 passing with a TD toss. Torrez was no doubt Halsey’s favorite target snagging 13 catches for 174 yards and a score, and Sianez rushed for 76 yards with two TDs.
The loss spoiled a monster effort from Brown. The River Road standout running back did all he could with 240 yards rushing and three touchdowns to go with 42 receiving yards and another score.
Muleshoe moved to 1-1 in District 2-3A Division I and 3-5 overall. River Road falls to 5-4, 1-2.
Muleshoe 14 14 14 — 42
River Road 7 13 12 6 — 38
Bushland throttles Dalhart
Bushland had its best offensive showing of the year during a 73-9 route of Dalhart at Wolves Stadium on Friday.
Bushland racked up 557 total yards in a stellar offensive showing.
The Falcons were led by quarterback Brian Marrell. Marrell was 13-of-17 passing with two scores, and carried the ball eight times for 68 yards.
Ivan Soto made five catches from Marrell for 77 yards and two touchdowns, and Baylor King added five snags for 96 yards with a score.
Bushland clinches a Class 3A Division I playoff spot moving to 3-0 in District 2-3A Division I, and 6-2 overall. Dalhart falls to 2-6, 1-2.
Bushland 73, Dalhart 9
Bushland 14 24 21 14 — 73
Dalhart 6 3 0 0 — 9
Class 2A
Stratford’s Dru Jones left, celebrates with teammate Anthony Gonzales after a touchdown during the Elks District 3-2A clash with Gruver at E.L. Sam Bass Stadium on Friday. [Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
District 3-2A Division II
Stratford bottles up Gruver
The Stratford defense absolutely dominated the Gruver offense leading to an impressive 35-0 shutout in a battle of top 10 teams on Friday night at E.L. Sam Bass Stadium in Stratford.
The No. 6-ranked Elks (7-1) take over sole possession of first place in District 3-2A Division II at 2-0. Gruver sees its undefeated start go to the wayside falling to 7-1, 2-1.
Stratford’s defensive line controlled the trenches the entire way never allowing the Greyhounds any momentum. The Elks suffocated Gruver holding the Greyhounds to 78 total yards, and forcing two interceptions.
Gruver mustered one first down in the first half, and only four total first downs in the contest.
The game was scoreless through the first quarter until Stratford’s offense got things rolling in the second quarter. The scoring started when quarterback Cody Rinne hit Dru Jones on a screen. Jones had a wide open lane going 70-yards for the touchdown to put the Elks up 7-0 in the early stages of the second quarter. On Stratford’s next possession, Zane Burr punched in a sweep from 3-yards out, then Rinne broke loose on a 40-yard scamper and it was quickly 21-0 Stratford by halftime.
Rinne was masterful on both sides of the ball. Offensively, the senior was 17-of-24 for 301 yards passing with a TD pass. Rinne also rushed for 108 yards with two more scores, and made 10 tackles with an interception on the defensive side.
Jones blistered the Greyhound secondary with 214 receiving yards on 11 catches with a touchdown. Defensively, Jones had two solo tackles and three pass deflections.
In another district contest, Vega blew by Booker 53-6. Clay Gilter scored for times for Vega on 112 yards rushing.
The Longhorns improve to 6-2 overall, and 1-1 in district. Booker is 1-7, 0-3.
Stratford 35, Gruver 0
Gruver —
Stratford 21 7 7 — 35
Clarendon’s Jmaury Davis finds running room against Wellington during a District 4-2A Division II contest at Powell Field in Wellington. [Lace Taylor/ Press Pass Sports]
District 4-2A Division II
Clarendon stuns No. 5 Wellington
Clarendon didn’t hold a lead until late in the fourth quarter.
That was the only time it counted, and it was enough to stun Wellington for a thrilling 21-20 victory at Powell Field in Wellington on Friday night. It’s Clarendon’s first win against the Skyrockets since 2010.
The Broncos have relied heavily on their defense all season long, holding their opponents to 15 points a game heading into a matchup where they faces one of the most elusive and efficient running backs in the state in Marc Ramirez.
The Wellington offense started this one out right finding scores in each of the first three quarters to take a 20-14 lead. However, the Clarendon defense clamped down shutting out the No. 5-ranked Skyrockets in the fourth quarter, then seized a much needed opportunity.
The Clarendon offense did its job. Jmaury Davis finished game with 70 yards on 15 touches and two touchdowns for the Broncos. But the deciding score came from the special teams side of things. With only 4:32 left on the clock, it was Jordan Herndon taking a punt from his 35-yard line, catching speed down the sideline and finding the endzone to tie the game, 20-20. The Broncos tacked on the extra-point, the defense held Wellington late and Clarendon pulled off the exciting win.
Clarendon shook up District 4-2A Division II moving to 2-0, and 7-1 overall. Wellington falls to 5-3, 2-1.
Clarendon 21, Wellington 20
Clarendon 7 7 7 — 21
Wellington 8 6 6 — 20
Wheeler gets first district win
Wheeler pulled away in the second half from upset-minded Memphis for a 40-13 victory at home Friday.
It was all Memphis early as the Cyclones took a 13-12 lead into the halftime. The
Mustang took over in the second half scoring 28 unanswered points. Dual-threat QB Nathan Rowley took over for Wheeler. Rowley finished his night going an efficient 8-of-13 for 224 yards and three touchdown passes. If that weren’t enough, Rowley added 122 yards and two house calls on the ground on just 10 carries.
Jovany Gallardo was on the receiving end of three of those Rowley passes and benefited for 102 yards including a 74-yard touchdown connection.
Wheeler is 4-4 overall and 1-1 in district play. The Cyclones struggles continue at 1-8, 0-3.
Wheeler 40, Memphis 13
Memphis 7 6 13
Wheeler 12 15 13 40
District 1-2A Division I
Fritch shocks Olton, Farwell-Panhandle set to clash
The Farwell Steers sand Panhandle Panthers clash next week is bigger than ever after both teams stayed unblemished in District 1-2A Division I on Friday night.
The Steers routed winless West Texas High 56-0, as the Panthers took down Boys Ranch
56-14.
Both Farwell (7-1) and Panhandle (3-5) are now 3-0 in district, and are set to collide next week at Panthers Stadium.
Per usual, it was the ground game that put the Steers ahead. Farwell was able to put up an outstanding 321 yards on the ground on only 25 carries. That gave the Steers a 12.8 yards per carry. Farwell was led by star sophomore running back Corey Stancell who finished his night with 159 yards and three scores on only seven carries with an average of 22.7 yards a carry.
Landyn Hack was a man possessed Friday night. The senior gunslinger was impressive with his arm and his feet against the Roughriders.
Hack finished 8-of-12 through the air for 232 yards and two touchdowns while rushing eight times for 237 and five more scores, for seven total touchdowns.
In the final matchup of the night there was a bit of an upset as Sanford-Fritch surprised Olton with a 53-46 victory. The Eagles running attack put them ahead early and kept them ahead in this matchup. The Eagles were able to compile. 350 yards on 53 carries by a stable of seven different rushers Friday night. Zander Woodward was the leading back picking up 127 yards on 12 carries. He was followed closely by Brayden Freeman with eight carries and 101 yards.
Fritch is well in the playoff hunt at 2-1 in district and 3-5 overall. Olton falls to 5-3, 1-2.
District 2-2A Division II
Bovina still perfect in district
The Bovina Mustangs are sitting pretty on top of District 2-2A Division II with a perfect 3-0 record after taking out Smyer 15-0 on the road Friday night.
Bovina did what they do best and established the running game early. It was another big night for Darian De La Rosa as he picked up 129 yards on his 23 carries. Nathan Guevara helped out in the rushing categories as he picked up 97 more yards on 12 touches. Bovina got hot on the ground but its lone touchdown came through the air on a 49-yard pass to Israel Granados from Angel Lara.
Lara was also able to tack on two field goals for the Mustangs to extend their lead out to 13-0 before Bovina forcing a safety.
Bovina has gotten hot winning three straight improving to 3-0 in district and 4-5 overall.
Bovina 15, Smyer 0
Bovina 7 3 3 2 — 15
Smyer 0 0 0 0 0 — 0
