Tulia’s Travon McCaslin avoids Canadian defenders during a District 3-3A Division II game at Younger Field in Tulia on Friday night. [Alan Hale/ For Press Pass Sports]
Tulia overcame an early 14-point deficit to earn its biggest win of the season, and one of the more shocking wins in the entire state this year pulling away from No. 5 Canadian for a 54-35 victory on Friday night at Younger Field in Tulia.
The loss snaps the Wildcats incredible 47-game district win streak dating back to Oct. 12, 2012, as Canadian falls to 7-2 overall and 4-1 in District 3-3A Division II.
Tulia has put itself in the playoff conversation at 3-2 in district, and 6-3 overall. The Hornets will need to be Spearman (5-4, 2-3) next week to secure a postseason berth.
“We so much respect for that Canadian program,” Tulia head coach Steven Coursey. “I’m so happy for our team and the community. There weren’t many people believed in us, but we found a way.”
It looked as though it was another normal night for Canadian. The Wildcats jumped out quick 21-7 behind an Angel Garcia 72-yard touchdown catch from Camren Cavalier, and a Isay Ramirez 1-yard run. However, Tulia took over in the second quarter behind the masterful play of quarterback Travon McCaslin. The Hornets scored 20 unanswered points to close the first half taking a 27-21 lead into the break.
Tulia then opened the second half extending the advantage, 40-21, midway through the third quarter. The Hornets scored on five straight possessions during that stretch putting up 34 unanswered points.
Even with the big lead, Canadian made one final attempt at a rally. Late in the third quarter the Wildcats found life with back-to-back touchdowns, and found themselves in the game down 40-35. That was as close as it got, as McCaslin and the Tulia offense turned it back on down the stretch to put Canadian away and earn the monumental win.
The Hornets blistered the Wildcats on the big play putting up 644 yards. McCaslin torched the Canadian secondary completing 13-of-24 passes for 378 yards and five touchdowns. The junior tacked on 123 yards rushing on only five carries for another score. Teammate Damian Cedillo was a huge compliment. Cedillo carried the ball 23 times for 151 yards with two scores, and snagged four balls for 68 yards with another TD.
Despite the loss, Canadian’s Ramirez toted the ball 25 times for 180 yards and a touchdown.
Tulia 54, Canadian 35
Canadian 14 7 14 — 35
Tulia 7 20 13 14 — 54
District 3-3A Division II
Friona blanks Spearman, clinches playoff berth
The Friona Chieftains snapped a two-game losing streak with a dominating 35-0 blanking of Spearman at Chieftains Stadium on Friday night.
Friona (7-2 overall) secured a Class 3A playoff spot with the win moving to 3-2 in District 3-3A Division II. Spearman (5-4) falls to 2-3 in district, and now has to beat Tulia next week for a chance at the postseason.
The Chieftains run attack was the difference. Senior speedster Jacob Bautista racked up 221 yards on 13 carries with three touchdowns, followed by Bryan Chavira’s 95 yards on 16 carries and a score.
Friona’s defense did its part limiting a depleted Lynx offense to 114 yards for the contest.
In another District 3-3A Division II contest, Dimmitt won its first district game in four years beating Highland Park 39-34. The Bobcats end an improved 2021 campaign at 3-7 overall, and 1-5 in league play.
Friona 35, Spearman 0
Spearman —
Friona 14 21 — 35
Bushland’s Kash Bradley celebrates after scoring a touchdown against Littlefield during a District 2-3A Division I game on Friday night at Falcons Stadium. [Ben Jenkins/ Press Pass Sports]
District 2-3A Division I
Bushland soars past Littlefield
It wasn’t the Homecoming former Bushland coach Jimmy Thomas was wanting.
The now Littlefield head coach stood on the opposing sideline after spending six years as the leader of the Falcons, and had to watch as Bushland beat up his Wildcats 62-14 on Friday.
Bushland claimed the outright District 2-3A Division I championship for a third straight year, ending the regular season at 7-2 overall and a perfect 4-0 in district.
Littlefield falls to 3-6, 0-3.
Quarterback Brian Marrell led the Falcons throwing for 206 yards on 8-of-12 passing with four touchdowns. The senior also added 54 yards on the ground. Receiver Kash Bradley showed off his speed snagging four catches for 114 yards with three scores, and Ivan Soto found the endzone three times, piling up 100 yards rushing on 10 carries.
Muleshoe is playoff bound
Muleshoe punched a ticket to the postseason for the first time since 2017 thanks to a 61-16 thumping of Dalhart at home on Friday.
The Muleshoe offense was electric stacking up 548 total yards. Quarterback Zach Halsey was able to pick the Golden Wolves defense apart. Halsey completed 13-of-21 passes for 226 yards, but the telling stat was his seven touchdown passes. Halsey’s favorite target Irvin Torres, who caught six of those passes for 95 yards and four touchdowns. On the ground, Daniel Sianez tacked on 103 yards on 12 carries with a score.
The Mules have now won two straight improving to 4-5 overall, and 2-1 in district play. Dalhart (2-7) falls to 1-3 in district, and will play River Road next week for third place.
Muleshoe 61, Dalhart 16
Dalhart 9 7 — 16
Muleshoe 20 27 14 — 61
CLASS 2A
Panhandle’s Landyn Hack is swarmed by teammates after scoring a touchdown against Farwell during a key District 1-2A Division I game on Friday night at Panthers Stadium. [Keirstyn Kelley/ Press Pass Sports]
Panhandle rallies past Farwell in thrilling fashion
The Panhandle Panthers erased a 21-point second half deficit with a furious second half comeback for an immaculate 36-35 win leaving Farwell flat stunned on Friday night at Panthers Stadium.
The Panthers (4-5), who started the season at 0-5, have caught fire by winning four straight, not to mention grabbing at least a share of the District 1-2A Division I championship at 4-0 overall.
Panhandle can claim the outright title against upstart Sanford-Fritch next week. The Eagles clinched a playoff spot of their own Friday, downing Boys Ranch 60-18, improving to 4-5, 3-1.
The Steers are now 3-1 in district play and 7-2.
scored on a 1- yard run from Corey Stancell that gave Farwell a comfortable 28-7 lead early in the third quarter. Knowing something had to change quickly, the Panthers responded with a 11-yard run from Malachi Preston to start chippipping into the lead at 28-15, after a two point conversion by Landyn Hack. The Panthers jumped on the Steers once again on a huge 74-yard pass and catch to Nick Mize from Hack cutting the advantage, 28-22.
As the third quarter came to a close, Stancell, like he did most of the night, responded by bullying his way through the Panhandle defense for his fourth touchdown of the game putting Farwell back out to a 35-22 lead. But the resilient Panthers didn’t go away.
Panhandle roared back with 14 unanswered fourth quarter points capped off by a Hack 11-yard touchdown toss to Hank Heck with 1:13 remaining for the eventual game-winning score completing the unbelievable comeback.
Hack made his mark on this matchup finishing the night with 82 yards on the ground on 18 rushes, while completing 17-of-23 passses for 312 yards and three touchdowns.
Preston added 118 yards on 12 carries with a score.
Despite the loss, sophomore standout Stancell once again made his presence felt for the Steers. The punishing back finished his night compiling an impressive 269 yards on 27 carries picking up four TDs.
The two teams combined for 1,015 yards of offense. Farwell totaled 535 yards to Panhandle’s 480.
Panhandle 36, Farwell 35
Farwell 14 7 14 — 35
Panhandle 7 15 14 — 36
Stratford’s Zane Burr looks for running room against Vega during a District 3-2A Division II game against Vega on Friday at Longhorns Stadium. [Tucker Stroud/ Press Pass Sports]
District 3-2A Division II
Stratford’s defense is the real deal
The Stratford Elks proved once again how strong they can be.
For a second straight week the Elks blanked a quality opponent, this time it was the Vega Longhorns, 35-0, in Vega on Friday.
The Stratford (8-1, 3-0) defense has allowed only seven points in three district wins. The Elks have currently gone eight straight quarters without giving up a point in shutout victories against Gruver and Vega.
Against the Longhorns, Stratford was flat out relentless holding a solid Vega offense to under 200 yards, and limiting QB Ryan Grawunder to 26 passing yards.
Offensively, quarterback Cody Rinne did what he does going 6-of-7 through the air for 114 yards and two touchdown passes, tacking on 113 yards on the ground and another score on his 15 carries.
Running back Zane Burr was just as efficient for the Elks as he picked up 114 yards on just 11 carries on the night.
Vega falls to 6-3 overall and 1-2 in district.
Stratford 35, Vega 0
Stratford 14 14 7 — 35
Vega —
Gruver bounces back
The Gruver Greyhounds got off to a hot start and stayed on the burner as they took out Sunray 62-25 during a District 3-2A Division II clash Friday night at Greyhounds Stadium.
It was a total team effort for as eight different Greyhounds had a hand in the scoring for Gruver in the blowout victory.
Mason Gibson, the head of the offense and quarterback, had himself an impressive night going 8-of-10 through the air for 131 yards and two touchdowns including a big 67-yard pass to Ridge Holland to put the Greyhounds up 16-0 in the first quarter. The running game was successful for Gruver. The usual suspects of Pratt McLain, Holland, and Gus Gaillard all finished with at least 60 yards and a score, but it was Colt Mathews, Saul de Santiago, and Hudson Born each picking up scores that really solidified the running game performance.
Despite two Pratt McLain interceptions, Sunray freshman quarterback Armando Lujan collected 261 yards and two touchdown passes on 15-of-30 passing for the Bobcats.
Gruver clinches second place in the district ending the regular season at 8-1 overall and 3-1 in league play.
Sunray falls to 4-5, 1-2.
Gruver 62, Sunray 25
Sunray 13 6 6 — 25
Gruver 16 13 21 12 — 62
District 4-2A Division II
Clarendon handles Wheeler
Clarendon was able to ride the momentum from last week’s win at Wellington to a 48-20 victory over Wheeler in Clarendon on Friday night.
Clarendon (8-1, 3-0) was back to business as usual in this matchup, establishing the running game early and grinding down the opposing defense.
One of the biggest beneficiaries to this offense all season long has been senior tailback Jordan Herndon. Herndon finished with 144 yards and three scores on just 13 carries. Just as effective was Division I prospect, Jmaury Davis. Davis found himself with a big game rounding up 133 yards on just eight carries for the Broncos. Brock Hatley got in on the explosive offense as well throwing for 72 yards and a touchdown on 4-of-5 passing. Hatley even picked up 69 yards and two scores on the ground on his six carries.
Wheeler is now 4-5 and 1-2 on the year.
Clarendon 48, Wheeler 20
Wheeler 12 8 — 20
Clarendon 22 20 6 — 48
Shamrock hammers Memphis
Shamrock kept itself in contention for a district championship downing Memphis, 51-7, on Friday night at Cyclones Stadium.
The Irish move to 3-1 in District and 7-2 overall.
Memphis ends its season at 1-9, 0-5.
Shamrock’s Kit Macina and Sean Wright did most of the damage. Macina rushed for 114 yards on nine carries with three touchdowns. Wright added 135 yards on only six carries with a score.
Shamrock 51, Memphis 7
Shamrock 6 24 13 8 — 51
Memphis 0 7 0 0 — 7
District 2-2A Division II
Bovina falls to New Home
The Bovina Mustangs saw a chance at the Disrtict 2-2A Division II title slip away falling in a close game to New Home, 21-14, at Mustangs Stadium on Friday.
The Leopards secure the district crown at 6-3 overall and 3-0 in district. Bovina (4-6) will be the No. 2-seed at 3-1.
The Mustangs started off this district championship matchup scoring on their second drive of the game on a 3-yard run by lead back Darian De La Rosa.
After a stop, again Bovina found itself bullying in a score from 3-yards out on a Angel Lara run into the endzone taking an early 14-0 lead into the second quarter. However, Bovina wouldn’t score the rest of the night.
New Home began its comeback on a Nevin Mojica touchdown run. The Leopards then tied the gams on a 15-yard connection from Caleb Cook to Brody Emart just before halftime.
New Home took the lead for good and never relinquished it to start the third quarter on a Jackson Raines 45-yard reception.
In total, New Home out gained Bovina 390 to 173 in the ballgame.
On the offensive end, De La Rosa finished with 204 yards on 30 carries.
New Home 21, Bovina 14
New Home 14 7 — 21
Bovina 14 — 14