Canyon’s Blake Wilhelm returns a interception for a touchdown that turned the momentum during the Eagles 45-14 win at Andrews on Friday night. [Ashley Eller/ For Press Pass Sports]
The final 18 minutes showed how good this Canyon team can be.
Trailing 14-11 at the midway mark of the third quarter the Eagles turned it up another gear on both sides of ball to score 34 unanswered points to route Andrews 45-14 at the Mustang Bowl on Friday.
The first half was all defense with Canyon leading 11-6.
At the 5:52 mark of the third quarter the Mustangs had come back to lead the Eagles 14-11. That’s when head coach Blake Bryant’s team set the tone.
Eagles defensive back Blake Wilhelm changed momentum for good when he returned an interception 20 yards for a score giving Canyon a 18-14 lead they’d never relinquish.
From there, Joe Shaw added an 80-yard pick six as well as Rafe Butcher on a 42-yard INT return. Not only was the Eagles ballhawking skill at work, the defensive line totaled six sacks, three by Brody Olsen.
This was also a type of redemption game for Canyon especially on the offensive side of the ball. Last season Andrews beat up Canyon, ending quarterback Jay Defoor’s season and the Eagles went on to lose five straight to end the year.
Defoor torched the Mustangs secondary this year going for 245 yards with two touchdown passes. Senior Jack McKay was incredible hauling in a game-high eight passes for 163 yards that included an 85-yard touchdown.
Canyon 45, Andrews 14
Canyon 11 13 21 — 45
Andrews 6 8 — 14
Perryton finds win column in shutout fashion
Perryton head coach Kurt Haberthur and his Rangers earned their first win of the year by blanking Alpine 14-0 on Friday night at Sundown.
It’s the first win for Haberthur at his Alma mater as Perryton improves to 1-4.
The Rangers defense did the damage holding Alpine to 27 total yards, four of those through the air with three interceptions.
Senior Brenton Heeter punched in both of Perryton’s touchdowns in the first half on short runs.
Heeter ended his night with 85 yards on 19 carries to go with the two scores.
Perryton 14, Alpine 0
Perryton 7 7 — 14
Alpine —
Pampa pummels P.D.
The Pampa Harvesters jumped all over Palo Duro and didn’t look back for a 56–13 victory Thursday night at Harvesters Stadium.
Pampa scored on its first four possessions taking a 28-0 first quarter lead, building the advantage to 35-0 at the half.
The Harvesters special team was out in full force. Sophomore Justin Martinez, who was just called up off the JV last week against Perryton, returned to block punts for touchdowns and Jamal Johnson had a 77-kickoff return for a TD. Kicker Erick Hernandez was even a perfect 8-for-8 on extra-points.
Offensively Jack Studabaker threw for 303 yards with three scoring tosses. Cayden Stout made six of those catches for 144 yards and a touchdown.
Pampa remains unbeaten at 7-0, Palo Duro falls to 0-3.
Pampa 56, Palo Duro 13
Palo Duro 0 0 6 7 — 13
Pampa 28 7 21 — 56