By Leman Saunders
Van Horn: The Forgotten Six-Man "Champions"
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Tonight, Van Horn will take on Sterling City in the Area round of the playoffs after upsetting Garden City in Bi-District last week in a barn burner 70-69. However, that was not the first time Van Horn won a six-man post season game. Van Horn has played the streamlined style of football in the past in the 1930s and 40s and once upon a time, they even claimed to be the “unofficial six-man football state champions of Texas.”
Van Horn’s first foray into six-man football was in 1939, and they dominated their competition. Called the Red Raiders or Scarlet Raiders then, Van Horn defeated Buena Vista 70-0 and a week later blasted a “spiritless” Balmorhea team 81-0 in their fourth game of the season for their fourth win. At that point, they had outscored their opponents 239-13.[i] The season culminated with an undefeated Van Horn team challenging Dripping Springs, a school over 600 miles away, to the “unofficial state championship” of Texas in San Angelo. The booking and publicity of this game in the San Angelo Standard-Times ruffled the feathers of Buena Vista’s superintendent John Q Adams. Adams fired off a letter to the Standard-Times, and to Van Horn, claiming Van Horn used ineligible players and that it was “unfair to six-man football teams of the state for an ineligible team to be playing for any kind of a title and to publish the scores by which it has defeated eligible teams.”[ii] remember, Van Horn had beaten Buena Vista 70-0. Adams also said he feared that the game versus Dripping Springs would be “harmful to six-man football.”[iii] This drama was far from over as Van Horn fired back within the Blondy Cross Top O’ Morn sports column in the Standard-Times. Van Horn’s superintendent, Horace Oliver, followed suit by sending a lengthy letter in rebuttal that was printed in full. Here are some of the highlights: “Our game with you was on the up and up, and you know it. We preferred not to play the boy that was ineligible but you said that you wanted us to beat your team badly so they would train and get in shape. At that you will recall we only played 5 minute quarters the last half and that our team did not use a running play, just passed and tried to kick goal from all angles of the field. We could have beaten you 250 to 0 just as easily as we did 70 to 0. As for the three boys on our team being ineligible, I’ll give you $25.00 to prove this. You knew the one boy was ineligible all the time so why wait until now to raise a howl?” “Things like this are what’s wrong with the league now. Some one agrees to do things and does them the because there is a loop hole, they try to raise sand and give the other fellow a black eye.” “If I recall correctly you admitted playing some ineligible men in one of your games, but you did not didn’t tell your opponent about it before the game as we did. Furthermore, what business is it of yours who Van Horn plays? We didn’t mention anything that we can’t backup and we didn’t say a word about Interscholastic League Championship, so to be real frank about the matter I think you have butted in on something that isn’t one bit your business.” “If there are so many teams in the district that could beat us, why haven’t they done so?”[iv] This resulted in yet another letter from Adams and even resulted in a common opponent, Pyote, to weigh in in support of Van Horn with their superintendent, Wright Chrane, saying he thought the game between Van Horn and Dripping Springs was a good idea adding, “There is no doubt in my mind that Van Horn has the best six-man football team in this part of Texas.” In regards to Buena Vista he added that “Fort Davis went to Buena Vista for a game and it got so bad that the superintendent of Fort Davis schools stopped the game about half way and took his boys home.”[v] Even with all the drama playing out in the Top ’O Morn column, the game went on as planned. The Standard-Times printed both teams’ records, rosters and even a picture of Van Horn in formation in the lead up to the Tuesday November 7th game which would be the first six-man football game played in San Angelo. Played at Bobcat Stadium admission was 25 cents for school kids and 50 cents for adults. Tuesday’s newspaper featured three articles promoting the game including one devoted to the rule differences. One headline read, “City Gridders, Move On Over And Make Room For Your Country Cousin, The Six-Man Footballer-Because He’s Well On His Way.” Harry Holt was the one reporter for the Standard-Times that had been to some six-man games, and he was quoted as saying: “All you city slickers of the gridiron move over and make room for your country cousin. Not only is he going to be your bedfellow next autumn when football season opens, but he’s the fair-haired lad who is going to step on the gridiron (unheralded) each Saturday afternoon and give a forward pass exhibition that will make you dizzy.”[vi] The game lived up to all the week-long drama and hype. Dripping Springs scored first and converted their dropkick PAT to lead 8-0 in the first quarter. Van Horn tied it up in the second by recording a safety off a punting miscue by Dripping Springs when their punter while punting stepped out of the back of the end zone and then shortly after scoring on a pass play from Richard Beall to Aus Rodrigues with a blocked PAT making it 8-8 which was the score heading into the locker rooms at halftime. Dripping Springs regained the lead early in the third on a long pass play with another successful PAT kick to take a 16-8 lead. Van Horn would record yet another safety for their only points in the third stanza and trailed 16-10 entering the final quarter of play. Dripping Springs added on six more points and lead 22-10 on a 61-yard run. Van Horn with their backs against the wall came to life and quickly marched down the field and scored (muffed PAT) and trailed 22-16 with three minutes left in the game. Van Horn forced the Tigers to punt and Richard Beall made a good return to give Van Horn solid field position. Beall completed passes to Button Armstrong, and even one to himself on a batted ball, for good gains and connected with Buddy Armstrong from four yards out for the game tying touchdown. Armstrong would then run in the one-point conversion for what would prove to be the game winning point. Blondy Cross of the Standard-Times said “it was one of the fastest moving, hard-smacking athletic contest of any type San Angelo sportsmen and sportswomen have witnessed.”[vii] More than 1,000 spectators, many of them locals who had never seen a six-man game before, were on hand to witness the first six-man game in San Angelo and the first “unofficial” six-man state championship in Texas. [i] “Van Horn Wins in Six-Man Game.” El Paso Herald Post. Saturday October 7, 1939. [ii] “Top O’ Morn: Kick Back On The 6-man Game.” The San Angelo Standard-Times. Wednesday November 1, 1939. [iii] sic [iv] “Top O’Morn: Kick Department.” The San Angelo Standard Times. Thursday November 2, 1939. [v] “Top O’Morn: Pyote Boosts Van Horn.” The San Angelo Standard Times. Sunday November 5, 1939. [vi] City Gridders, Move On Over And Make Room For Your County Cousin, The Six-Man Footballer-Because He’s Well On His Way.” The San Angelo-Standard Times. Tuesday November 7, 1939. [vii] Van Horn Rallies To Take Spectacular Six-Man Football Game From Dripping Springs, 23 To 22.” The San Angelo Standard-Times.” Blondy Cross. Wednesday, November 8, 1939. Note: Buena Vista is now listed as have been the district 11 champions of 1939 so I guess they won their technical argument against Van Horn. Also of note is that Dripping Springs did not win their district either, Prairie Lea was the district 3 champion and was 11-0 that season and in reality might have been the best team in the state. By Leman Saunders, 11/18/2021 |
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Games from Six-Man Seasons Past
For those that might not know, I run a YouTube channel dedicated to preserving and sharing six-man football films (and even have some 8man and 11man films as well).
One topic I always love is the topic of "greatest games" and love asking people what was the best or greatest game they saw in person. I think most of us who have been around the sport the last 25-30 years can name the best of the best...like the 1996 State "5th Down" Game or the 2001 Richland Springs vs Woodson Semi-Final game or the 2003 Semi-Final game when Strawn beat Richland Springs on the final play of the game. You may find all three to watch on the Six-Man Films YouTube channel.
I wanted to post a list and talk about some games that were great but have fallen under the radar so to speak. So here are a few with links to the film for you all to enjoy.
Everyone should subscribe to the channel to get updates when more are added. And please comment on games you played in or remember or enjoyed watching and learning about. It’s great to see comments from kids that are watching games their father played in or from players that are watching games that their coaches played in when they were in high school!
1984 Semi-Final: Newcastle 63 Abbott 61 (click for video)
Abbott took a 40-14 lead into halftime in complete control. Newcastle rallied in the second half outscoring Abbott 49-21 with the game winner coming with 10 seconds left in the game with a 1-yard TD run by Bruce Bailey and a 1pt conversion from a pass and catch by the Spitzer twins Ty and Todd. Unfortunately, the game film runs out with about 1-minute left in the game…I suspect this might be Abbott’s copy and they recorded over the ending but that’s just my theory.
1987 Bi-District: Lohn 48 Bynum 42 (click for video)
One of the more inexplicable state champions if one simply looks at a list of six-man state championships has to be Lohn sticking out in a sea of Fort Hancock titles with their championship run in 1987. Lohn’s playoff route to the title game as a district runner-up involved 3 very close and low scoring games with the first coming via a 48-42 win over Bynum in the Bi-District round.
With under 3 minutes to play in the game and Bynum in possession and driving down field the Bulldogs faced a 4th and 4 at midfield, on a run play Bynum comes as close to a 1st down as possible without getting it. The ball turns over on downs and the Lohn Eagles run out the clock to win the game.
1992 Quarter-Final: Panther Creek 70 Cherokee 68 (click for video)
In a rematch of a week one game where Cherokee defeated Panther Creek 26-14, Panther Creek would pull off an upset 70-68 win over the Indians in the third round of the playoffs in dramatic fashion.
Cherokee was in complete control early and took a comfortable 50-24 lead into the locker room at halftime. Cherokee managed just 6 points in the 3rd quarter and with Panther Creek scoring quickly in the 4th quarter drew within two points down 56-54. The two schools exchanged TDs with Cherokee missing their PAT and Panther Creek converting theirs to take their first lead 70-62. However, with 2:38 left to play Cherokee drove down the field and scored with 22 seconds left to play. Panther Creek running back Monty Bouldin gave maximum effort diving as if he was falling on a grenade to save his teammates and block the would be tying PAT kick and saving the game for the Panthers. Panther Creek would use this a fuel to mercy rule district rival Christoval in the Semi-Finals and then upset Fort Hancock in the State Championship game. Quarterback Chad Humphries was 25-48 for 426 yards with 5 TDs passing for Panther Creek and Monty Bouldin who blocked the critical PAT kick, scored several touchdowns including the game winner.
1994 Quarter-Final Balmorhea 71 Guthrie 70 (click for video)
“They don’t have endings like this in movies, it would be too unbelievable.” – Chris Gove, The Odessa American
I think a solid case could be made that 1994 was the best year for six-man football in the state of Texas, super competitive throughout, first real year of The Huntress Report and rankings, a great state championship with the underdog winning, and some instant classic great games… with this game probably topping the list.
The undefeated #1 ranked Guthrie Jaguars were riding high coming off a come from behind win over Lazbuddie when they faced off with Balmorhea in Stanton for their quarter-finals showdown. Guthrie would have just nine players in uniform (two of their eleven suffering injuries the week before) while Balmorhea would have 17 players suited out.
The game was close and hard fought through out. Guthrie lead 22-8 at the end of the first quarter and with Balmorhea’s offense waking up in the second held a slim 42-30 lead at halftime.
Balmorhea found their wind in the second half and entering the third quarter cut the Jaguar lead down to five trailing 56-51 by the end of the third. Shortly after the start of the final quarter the Bears took their first lead going up 59-56 and extending it to 65-56 with 4:55 left in the game. Guthrie did not give up. With 2:23 on the clock the Guthrie cut the lead down to 65-62 and then their defense came up with the biggest play of the game (at that point) when on the Bears ensuing possession and facing a 4th and four stopped Balmorhea two yards short of the first down marker for a turnover on downs and a chance to win the game with 55 seconds left. Sure enough Seth Moorhouse hauled in a 31-yard pass from Roy Fuentes with Fuentes adding the PAT kick giving Guthrie a 70-65 lead with almost no time left for Balmorhea to manage a miracle…ALMOST no time.
With 11 seconds left to play and Guthrie beaming with the likelihood of advancing one step closer to a state title berth, the Jaguars booted the kickoff deep just short of making it to the end zone. Balmorhea’s Martin Sanchez settled under it and returned the kickoff 78 yards for the game winning touchdown as time expired.
That turn of events in the last 11 seconds stuck in the mind of many coaches and from that point on many elected to kick onside rather than risking the chance of a big kickoff return and possible suffering the same fate that Guthrie did back in 1994.
For those that might not know, I run a YouTube channel dedicated to preserving and sharing six-man football films (and even have some 8man and 11man films as well).
One topic I always love is the topic of "greatest games" and love asking people what was the best or greatest game they saw in person. I think most of us who have been around the sport the last 25-30 years can name the best of the best...like the 1996 State "5th Down" Game or the 2001 Richland Springs vs Woodson Semi-Final game or the 2003 Semi-Final game when Strawn beat Richland Springs on the final play of the game. You may find all three to watch on the Six-Man Films YouTube channel.
I wanted to post a list and talk about some games that were great but have fallen under the radar so to speak. So here are a few with links to the film for you all to enjoy.
Everyone should subscribe to the channel to get updates when more are added. And please comment on games you played in or remember or enjoyed watching and learning about. It’s great to see comments from kids that are watching games their father played in or from players that are watching games that their coaches played in when they were in high school!
1984 Semi-Final: Newcastle 63 Abbott 61 (click for video)
Abbott took a 40-14 lead into halftime in complete control. Newcastle rallied in the second half outscoring Abbott 49-21 with the game winner coming with 10 seconds left in the game with a 1-yard TD run by Bruce Bailey and a 1pt conversion from a pass and catch by the Spitzer twins Ty and Todd. Unfortunately, the game film runs out with about 1-minute left in the game…I suspect this might be Abbott’s copy and they recorded over the ending but that’s just my theory.
1987 Bi-District: Lohn 48 Bynum 42 (click for video)
One of the more inexplicable state champions if one simply looks at a list of six-man state championships has to be Lohn sticking out in a sea of Fort Hancock titles with their championship run in 1987. Lohn’s playoff route to the title game as a district runner-up involved 3 very close and low scoring games with the first coming via a 48-42 win over Bynum in the Bi-District round.
With under 3 minutes to play in the game and Bynum in possession and driving down field the Bulldogs faced a 4th and 4 at midfield, on a run play Bynum comes as close to a 1st down as possible without getting it. The ball turns over on downs and the Lohn Eagles run out the clock to win the game.
1992 Quarter-Final: Panther Creek 70 Cherokee 68 (click for video)
In a rematch of a week one game where Cherokee defeated Panther Creek 26-14, Panther Creek would pull off an upset 70-68 win over the Indians in the third round of the playoffs in dramatic fashion.
Cherokee was in complete control early and took a comfortable 50-24 lead into the locker room at halftime. Cherokee managed just 6 points in the 3rd quarter and with Panther Creek scoring quickly in the 4th quarter drew within two points down 56-54. The two schools exchanged TDs with Cherokee missing their PAT and Panther Creek converting theirs to take their first lead 70-62. However, with 2:38 left to play Cherokee drove down the field and scored with 22 seconds left to play. Panther Creek running back Monty Bouldin gave maximum effort diving as if he was falling on a grenade to save his teammates and block the would be tying PAT kick and saving the game for the Panthers. Panther Creek would use this a fuel to mercy rule district rival Christoval in the Semi-Finals and then upset Fort Hancock in the State Championship game. Quarterback Chad Humphries was 25-48 for 426 yards with 5 TDs passing for Panther Creek and Monty Bouldin who blocked the critical PAT kick, scored several touchdowns including the game winner.
1994 Quarter-Final Balmorhea 71 Guthrie 70 (click for video)
“They don’t have endings like this in movies, it would be too unbelievable.” – Chris Gove, The Odessa American
I think a solid case could be made that 1994 was the best year for six-man football in the state of Texas, super competitive throughout, first real year of The Huntress Report and rankings, a great state championship with the underdog winning, and some instant classic great games… with this game probably topping the list.
The undefeated #1 ranked Guthrie Jaguars were riding high coming off a come from behind win over Lazbuddie when they faced off with Balmorhea in Stanton for their quarter-finals showdown. Guthrie would have just nine players in uniform (two of their eleven suffering injuries the week before) while Balmorhea would have 17 players suited out.
The game was close and hard fought through out. Guthrie lead 22-8 at the end of the first quarter and with Balmorhea’s offense waking up in the second held a slim 42-30 lead at halftime.
Balmorhea found their wind in the second half and entering the third quarter cut the Jaguar lead down to five trailing 56-51 by the end of the third. Shortly after the start of the final quarter the Bears took their first lead going up 59-56 and extending it to 65-56 with 4:55 left in the game. Guthrie did not give up. With 2:23 on the clock the Guthrie cut the lead down to 65-62 and then their defense came up with the biggest play of the game (at that point) when on the Bears ensuing possession and facing a 4th and four stopped Balmorhea two yards short of the first down marker for a turnover on downs and a chance to win the game with 55 seconds left. Sure enough Seth Moorhouse hauled in a 31-yard pass from Roy Fuentes with Fuentes adding the PAT kick giving Guthrie a 70-65 lead with almost no time left for Balmorhea to manage a miracle…ALMOST no time.
With 11 seconds left to play and Guthrie beaming with the likelihood of advancing one step closer to a state title berth, the Jaguars booted the kickoff deep just short of making it to the end zone. Balmorhea’s Martin Sanchez settled under it and returned the kickoff 78 yards for the game winning touchdown as time expired.
That turn of events in the last 11 seconds stuck in the mind of many coaches and from that point on many elected to kick onside rather than risking the chance of a big kickoff return and possible suffering the same fate that Guthrie did back in 1994.
Legendary
In what will be his eighth trip to the state championship game as a head coach spanning parts of what amounts to six decades, Vance Jones will be looking to win his fourth state title with what would be his 3rd different school today in San Angelo as Jones’ Balmorhea Bears take on the Richland Springs Coyotes.
His first championship came while coaching the Marathon Mustangs in his second year at the helm in 1976. Of all the teams Vance Jones has coached, that one is probably the most legendary for several reasons, but foremost of all would be because Marathon was in a district unto themselves and played all their regular season games on the road, going undefeated and all but one of those games were 11man games. Jones was able to schedule one six-man game right before the playoffs as a warm up game defeating Loop 50-8.
Marathon then beat Blackwell 76-26 and Harrold 62-14 before squaring off with May for the state championship in Brownwood…making essentially a home game for the May Tigers. It didn’t matter as Marathon went on to win via the mercy rule 62-16.
The story I wanted to relate comes from one of the May players related to me many years later. I did not take notes so this will be in the old story telling tradition of me relating the story as best I can remember it as it was told to me:
We were beat before a single snap was made. Now days it is easy to get film on a team or send a coach down to scout a
team before you play them. Back then few small schools had the funds to buy equipment to film games let alone lend out
one of the few 16 or 8 mm films they might have. We knew Marathon was good, but we didn’t know much about them.
The first time we saw them was the night of the state game in Brownwood. As we walked out for the coin flip and
instructions from the refs, there were the Marathon captains waiting for us. All over six feet tall, 170-190lbs with facial hair
looking more like mean, rough men than boys. They spoke nothing but Spanish back and forth to each other, to us, and to
the refs. Never seen anything like that. That intimidated us so much that we were beat before the coin flip.
Like I said, that team was Legendary.
That was Vance Jones’ first state title. The best player for May that year was a senior running back named Phil Mitchell. Phil Mitchell went on to become a head coach and had a 2-1 record in state title games winning back to back state titles at Jayton in 1984 and 85. His star running back those two seasons was a kid named Trey Richey. Richey in turn would go into coaching (and is still hard at it) and has a 4-1 record in state title games winning all four at Borden County going back-to-back twice in 2008, 09 and again in 2016, 17. I don’t know what, if anything, this means if only to help illustrate the fact that here we are in 2021, just over 45 years later, and Vance Jones is still playing for titles.
In what will be his eighth trip to the state championship game as a head coach spanning parts of what amounts to six decades, Vance Jones will be looking to win his fourth state title with what would be his 3rd different school today in San Angelo as Jones’ Balmorhea Bears take on the Richland Springs Coyotes.
His first championship came while coaching the Marathon Mustangs in his second year at the helm in 1976. Of all the teams Vance Jones has coached, that one is probably the most legendary for several reasons, but foremost of all would be because Marathon was in a district unto themselves and played all their regular season games on the road, going undefeated and all but one of those games were 11man games. Jones was able to schedule one six-man game right before the playoffs as a warm up game defeating Loop 50-8.
Marathon then beat Blackwell 76-26 and Harrold 62-14 before squaring off with May for the state championship in Brownwood…making essentially a home game for the May Tigers. It didn’t matter as Marathon went on to win via the mercy rule 62-16.
The story I wanted to relate comes from one of the May players related to me many years later. I did not take notes so this will be in the old story telling tradition of me relating the story as best I can remember it as it was told to me:
We were beat before a single snap was made. Now days it is easy to get film on a team or send a coach down to scout a
team before you play them. Back then few small schools had the funds to buy equipment to film games let alone lend out
one of the few 16 or 8 mm films they might have. We knew Marathon was good, but we didn’t know much about them.
The first time we saw them was the night of the state game in Brownwood. As we walked out for the coin flip and
instructions from the refs, there were the Marathon captains waiting for us. All over six feet tall, 170-190lbs with facial hair
looking more like mean, rough men than boys. They spoke nothing but Spanish back and forth to each other, to us, and to
the refs. Never seen anything like that. That intimidated us so much that we were beat before the coin flip.
Like I said, that team was Legendary.
That was Vance Jones’ first state title. The best player for May that year was a senior running back named Phil Mitchell. Phil Mitchell went on to become a head coach and had a 2-1 record in state title games winning back to back state titles at Jayton in 1984 and 85. His star running back those two seasons was a kid named Trey Richey. Richey in turn would go into coaching (and is still hard at it) and has a 4-1 record in state title games winning all four at Borden County going back-to-back twice in 2008, 09 and again in 2016, 17. I don’t know what, if anything, this means if only to help illustrate the fact that here we are in 2021, just over 45 years later, and Vance Jones is still playing for titles.
2020 State Game Previews
Since the division split in 2006, there has arguably never been a year where both state games were barnburners, as usually one is a blowout. 2006 is really the only year you could point to and say both of the games were competitive when Northside beat Jayton 60-41 in a game that felt closer than that and Richland Springs beat Valley 78-58 in a game that didn’t really feel that close. 2009 featured epic games in their own ways with the dichotomy of having the lowest scoring game followed by the highest scoring game in history. That year Borden County edged out Highland 28-14 in a great game, and Garden City beat Strawn 122-88 in the night cap. However, you could say that game wasn’t very competitive in the end as Garden City pulled away and almost won via the mercy rule.
I have a strong feeling as we wrap up the crazy 2020 season that this year will be different. I think this year will be the first year were both state games have a great chance of being epic showdowns.
D2: Balmorhea Bears (11-1) v Richland Springs Coyotes (12-0)
After their semi-final victory over Strawn 59-56, Richland Springs’ head coach Jerry Burkhart told a group of reporters “nobody believed we’d get here” and you know something…he was right. It is a weird thing to say, but yes, the nine-time and reigning/defending state champion Richland Spring Coyotes who are on a 26 game win streak are underdogs heading into the state championship game. The only other time in their now 11 trips to the title game you can say that was their very first appearance in 2001, which is also their only loss and was three years before Burkhart became head coach.
On the opposite sideline will stand Vance Jones’ #1 Balmorhea Bears, who have been the consensus #1 team in D2 pretty much all season. Jones knows his way around state championship games as well, having taken four different schools to the big show, and he will be making his 7th appearance having won it all three times. His first trip was with the Marathon Mustangs winning the title back in 1976, which is generally regarded as one of the greatest 6man teams of all time. This will be his third trip as head coach of the Bears having lost in 2016 and 17. This will be a rematch of that 2016 title bout which Richland Springs won 96-50.
The Richland Springs Coyotes have uncharacteristically struggled at times this season. County rival Cherokee came within four points of winning the district championship, something that Richland Springs has not lost since 2001. Then the Coyotes came very close to bowing out of the playoffs in first round verses Blanket, but a second half surge enabled them to survive and advance 56-30. After that things started to click. Against Calvert in the quarter-finals Richland Springs, as an underdog in the eyes of many, jumped out to an early lead and staved off a second half comeback attempt winning 48-34. Then last week against Strawn, again the Coyotes held a solid lead, 19 points early in the 4th quarter, and survived an even more powerful comeback attempt from an even better team to advance to state 59-56. Some of the struggles early on can be due to covid-19 related issues such as inability to secure games early in the season and dealing with the virus in their own school system around the end of the regular season. However, with each week, Richland Springs has made solid gains in overall team conditioning and has shown better execution on offense and defense. The dual threat back Landon Burkhart (1,270 yards, 24 TDs rushing; 1,154 yards 23 TDs passing) is the headline getter, but players like Zane Capps, Jadeyn Bryant (95 tackles, 20 for loss) and Chase Gossett have really come into their own throughout the playoffs.
Balmorhea started the season off against the then ranked #1 team in D1 Rankin and almost pulled off the victory losing 38-36 after a late Rankin comeback surge. The Bears also had to deal with some scheduling issues thanks to covid-19 and had their own dealings with it earlier in the season resulting in three weeks off and the cancelation, and thus win via forfeit, of a district game. Despite that they cruised through district and their bi-district opponent Loraine (68-0). Their first big test since week 1 came in the second round against Jayton in what was at the time a #1 vs #2 matchup. The game was high scoring, back and forth for the first half with Balmorhea pulling ahead just before halftime 46-38. The Bears found another gear in the second half and led by 30 at the end of the 3rd and was just one-point shy of a mercy rule victory winning 90-46…outscoring Jayton 44-8 in the second half. Strong second half surges would be the Bears’ hallmark from that point on as the next two weeks they would notch slim comeback victories over both Motley County (36-30) and Groom (44-38) all thanks too strong second half comebacks. Tough nosed, hard hitting defense and a physical blocking team running an option offense is the calling card of the Bears. Lauro Matta (85 tackles, 20 for loss) and Sean Orozco (7 sacks, 25 TFL, 1 safety, 2 defensive TDs) anchor that strong defensive line while offensively the backfield of Tomas Contreras (129-1,420 yards, 35 TDs rushing), Angel Iniguez, and Drew Laramore keep opposing defenses guessing.
I have a strong feeling this game will unfold much like it has the last two weeks for each team and which outcome is up in the air. I think it is safe to say Richland Springs will have a solid first half offensively, the question is can Balmorhea keep pace with that or if not, mimic their last three victories and put together an amazing second half effort to pull ahead and win? Or will it be like Richland Springs’ last two games where the Coyotes put enough space between them and their opponents that when the momentum starts to shift late and their opponent begins to mount that comeback attempt, it will be too little too late?
I think on Wednesday it will be the latter…the Coyotes will jump out early and the Bears will claw their way back but fall just short of the comeback victory.
Richland Springs 54 Balmorhea 48
D1: Sterling City Eagles (14-0) v May Tigers (13-1)
These two squads are well seasoned and battle tested as they get ready to clash at AT&T Stadium on Wednesday. Both teams have played some very close games against top tier teams throughout the season, including against each other in week 2 when Sterling City won 44-40, and both are coming off high pressure situation overtime wins last week.
The May Tigers will be the underdog heading in. This will be head coach Craig Steele’s third trip to the state championship having lost to Crowell in back-to-back seasons in 2013 and ‘14. May was state runner-up in their first trip in 1976 and again in ’84. The Tigers do have a state title banner to their credit having won it all back in 1977.
The Tigers’ win last week in a rematch against Blum 92-86 in overtime was very impressive, but maybe even more impressive is how May turned it on the week before in the second half, and in particular, the fourth quarter against Leakey in the quarterfinals. May was down 38-32 at halftime and didn’t take the lead until late in the 3rd quarter, yet they poured it on and won 72-38 outscoring Leakey 24-0 in the final quarter. Their rotating backfield simply wears down teams as the game progresses and the two main backs, Kaden Halk and Rory Bustamante. Halk has rushed for 639 yards and 13 TDs on 31 carries in the last two games and Bustamante 284 yards 4 TDs on just 22 carries. This explosive backfield that gets more dangerous as the game moves on, gives the Tigers a great chance in a close game as it wears on. These Tigers have a lot of fight in them!
Sterling City will be looking to finish undefeated for the fourth time in school history but with their first ever state championship as the previous three undefeated untied seasons were before the UIL had state titles for six-man and other smaller classifications*. Their only title game appearance was in 2010 when they lost the D2 title to Richland Springs 46-0.
Featuring a solid “bend don’t break” speedy defense is Sterling City’s biggest threat to May’s run offense. Solid pressure on the line of scrimmage and fast linebackers make it very difficult for long explosive plays to develop. This defense made adjustments and tightened up last week in the second half in a rematch with Borden County, surrendering just one touchdown and forcing a four and out in Borden’s overtime possession to win it. A run first offense led by leading rusher Cross Knittel (132-1,786 yards, 33 TDs), the Eagles have great size on the line of scrimmage clearing the way for Knittel and those big guys have great hands that will certainly keep May’s secondary honest.
So, there you have it, May’s power run offense vs Sterling City’s shut down defense. Both are speedy, both have size, the question is which will give?
I’m going to very honest here, I’m picking the favorite and I don’t feel good about it. I have a strange feeling of deja vu. Last year heading into the final game, I’m pretty sure everyone picked the favorite McLean as the D1 winner and Blum showed up and shut everyone up really quick. The same kind of thing happened in 2015 when Abbott upset Crowell. I’m kind of getting that vibe again…however…
I think Sterling City has a bit more speed and that will enable their defense to catch and corral May’s running backs, making enough defensive stops to allow the Eagles offense to get ahead and stay ahead. While admittedly this game has the aura of an East upset about it, I’m sticking with Sterling City notching their first ever state title.
Sterling City 60 May 46
*1941 team was 11-0 Bi-District Champions the first year of six-man playoffs with only one round. 1954 team was 12-0 and Regional Champions when two rounds were as far as six-man playoffs went. 1964 were 12-0 regional 8man champs, 1971 undefeated but a tie in district kept them out of the 8man playoffs.
Since the division split in 2006, there has arguably never been a year where both state games were barnburners, as usually one is a blowout. 2006 is really the only year you could point to and say both of the games were competitive when Northside beat Jayton 60-41 in a game that felt closer than that and Richland Springs beat Valley 78-58 in a game that didn’t really feel that close. 2009 featured epic games in their own ways with the dichotomy of having the lowest scoring game followed by the highest scoring game in history. That year Borden County edged out Highland 28-14 in a great game, and Garden City beat Strawn 122-88 in the night cap. However, you could say that game wasn’t very competitive in the end as Garden City pulled away and almost won via the mercy rule.
I have a strong feeling as we wrap up the crazy 2020 season that this year will be different. I think this year will be the first year were both state games have a great chance of being epic showdowns.
D2: Balmorhea Bears (11-1) v Richland Springs Coyotes (12-0)
After their semi-final victory over Strawn 59-56, Richland Springs’ head coach Jerry Burkhart told a group of reporters “nobody believed we’d get here” and you know something…he was right. It is a weird thing to say, but yes, the nine-time and reigning/defending state champion Richland Spring Coyotes who are on a 26 game win streak are underdogs heading into the state championship game. The only other time in their now 11 trips to the title game you can say that was their very first appearance in 2001, which is also their only loss and was three years before Burkhart became head coach.
On the opposite sideline will stand Vance Jones’ #1 Balmorhea Bears, who have been the consensus #1 team in D2 pretty much all season. Jones knows his way around state championship games as well, having taken four different schools to the big show, and he will be making his 7th appearance having won it all three times. His first trip was with the Marathon Mustangs winning the title back in 1976, which is generally regarded as one of the greatest 6man teams of all time. This will be his third trip as head coach of the Bears having lost in 2016 and 17. This will be a rematch of that 2016 title bout which Richland Springs won 96-50.
The Richland Springs Coyotes have uncharacteristically struggled at times this season. County rival Cherokee came within four points of winning the district championship, something that Richland Springs has not lost since 2001. Then the Coyotes came very close to bowing out of the playoffs in first round verses Blanket, but a second half surge enabled them to survive and advance 56-30. After that things started to click. Against Calvert in the quarter-finals Richland Springs, as an underdog in the eyes of many, jumped out to an early lead and staved off a second half comeback attempt winning 48-34. Then last week against Strawn, again the Coyotes held a solid lead, 19 points early in the 4th quarter, and survived an even more powerful comeback attempt from an even better team to advance to state 59-56. Some of the struggles early on can be due to covid-19 related issues such as inability to secure games early in the season and dealing with the virus in their own school system around the end of the regular season. However, with each week, Richland Springs has made solid gains in overall team conditioning and has shown better execution on offense and defense. The dual threat back Landon Burkhart (1,270 yards, 24 TDs rushing; 1,154 yards 23 TDs passing) is the headline getter, but players like Zane Capps, Jadeyn Bryant (95 tackles, 20 for loss) and Chase Gossett have really come into their own throughout the playoffs.
Balmorhea started the season off against the then ranked #1 team in D1 Rankin and almost pulled off the victory losing 38-36 after a late Rankin comeback surge. The Bears also had to deal with some scheduling issues thanks to covid-19 and had their own dealings with it earlier in the season resulting in three weeks off and the cancelation, and thus win via forfeit, of a district game. Despite that they cruised through district and their bi-district opponent Loraine (68-0). Their first big test since week 1 came in the second round against Jayton in what was at the time a #1 vs #2 matchup. The game was high scoring, back and forth for the first half with Balmorhea pulling ahead just before halftime 46-38. The Bears found another gear in the second half and led by 30 at the end of the 3rd and was just one-point shy of a mercy rule victory winning 90-46…outscoring Jayton 44-8 in the second half. Strong second half surges would be the Bears’ hallmark from that point on as the next two weeks they would notch slim comeback victories over both Motley County (36-30) and Groom (44-38) all thanks too strong second half comebacks. Tough nosed, hard hitting defense and a physical blocking team running an option offense is the calling card of the Bears. Lauro Matta (85 tackles, 20 for loss) and Sean Orozco (7 sacks, 25 TFL, 1 safety, 2 defensive TDs) anchor that strong defensive line while offensively the backfield of Tomas Contreras (129-1,420 yards, 35 TDs rushing), Angel Iniguez, and Drew Laramore keep opposing defenses guessing.
I have a strong feeling this game will unfold much like it has the last two weeks for each team and which outcome is up in the air. I think it is safe to say Richland Springs will have a solid first half offensively, the question is can Balmorhea keep pace with that or if not, mimic their last three victories and put together an amazing second half effort to pull ahead and win? Or will it be like Richland Springs’ last two games where the Coyotes put enough space between them and their opponents that when the momentum starts to shift late and their opponent begins to mount that comeback attempt, it will be too little too late?
I think on Wednesday it will be the latter…the Coyotes will jump out early and the Bears will claw their way back but fall just short of the comeback victory.
Richland Springs 54 Balmorhea 48
D1: Sterling City Eagles (14-0) v May Tigers (13-1)
These two squads are well seasoned and battle tested as they get ready to clash at AT&T Stadium on Wednesday. Both teams have played some very close games against top tier teams throughout the season, including against each other in week 2 when Sterling City won 44-40, and both are coming off high pressure situation overtime wins last week.
The May Tigers will be the underdog heading in. This will be head coach Craig Steele’s third trip to the state championship having lost to Crowell in back-to-back seasons in 2013 and ‘14. May was state runner-up in their first trip in 1976 and again in ’84. The Tigers do have a state title banner to their credit having won it all back in 1977.
The Tigers’ win last week in a rematch against Blum 92-86 in overtime was very impressive, but maybe even more impressive is how May turned it on the week before in the second half, and in particular, the fourth quarter against Leakey in the quarterfinals. May was down 38-32 at halftime and didn’t take the lead until late in the 3rd quarter, yet they poured it on and won 72-38 outscoring Leakey 24-0 in the final quarter. Their rotating backfield simply wears down teams as the game progresses and the two main backs, Kaden Halk and Rory Bustamante. Halk has rushed for 639 yards and 13 TDs on 31 carries in the last two games and Bustamante 284 yards 4 TDs on just 22 carries. This explosive backfield that gets more dangerous as the game moves on, gives the Tigers a great chance in a close game as it wears on. These Tigers have a lot of fight in them!
Sterling City will be looking to finish undefeated for the fourth time in school history but with their first ever state championship as the previous three undefeated untied seasons were before the UIL had state titles for six-man and other smaller classifications*. Their only title game appearance was in 2010 when they lost the D2 title to Richland Springs 46-0.
Featuring a solid “bend don’t break” speedy defense is Sterling City’s biggest threat to May’s run offense. Solid pressure on the line of scrimmage and fast linebackers make it very difficult for long explosive plays to develop. This defense made adjustments and tightened up last week in the second half in a rematch with Borden County, surrendering just one touchdown and forcing a four and out in Borden’s overtime possession to win it. A run first offense led by leading rusher Cross Knittel (132-1,786 yards, 33 TDs), the Eagles have great size on the line of scrimmage clearing the way for Knittel and those big guys have great hands that will certainly keep May’s secondary honest.
So, there you have it, May’s power run offense vs Sterling City’s shut down defense. Both are speedy, both have size, the question is which will give?
I’m going to very honest here, I’m picking the favorite and I don’t feel good about it. I have a strange feeling of deja vu. Last year heading into the final game, I’m pretty sure everyone picked the favorite McLean as the D1 winner and Blum showed up and shut everyone up really quick. The same kind of thing happened in 2015 when Abbott upset Crowell. I’m kind of getting that vibe again…however…
I think Sterling City has a bit more speed and that will enable their defense to catch and corral May’s running backs, making enough defensive stops to allow the Eagles offense to get ahead and stay ahead. While admittedly this game has the aura of an East upset about it, I’m sticking with Sterling City notching their first ever state title.
Sterling City 60 May 46
*1941 team was 11-0 Bi-District Champions the first year of six-man playoffs with only one round. 1954 team was 12-0 and Regional Champions when two rounds were as far as six-man playoffs went. 1964 were 12-0 regional 8man champs, 1971 undefeated but a tie in district kept them out of the 8man playoffs.
2020 Division I State Semifinal Recap
Borden County vs Sterling City
Borden County and Sterling City were involved in a defensive slugfest down in the belly of the Mustang Bowl in Sweetwater, TX. The game stared out with a bang as Borden County scored in under a minute to take an early 8-0 lead, only to have Sterling City knot it up two minutes later. The Coyotes would tack on eight more points and seemed in control after one quarter of play having little trouble moving the ball offensively.
In the second quarter, both defenses tightened up; trading off stops for most of the quarter. Finally, Sterling City ended the scoring drought of eight minutes of game time and tied the game up at 16; however, Borden responded with a TD less than 20 seconds later and with a defensive stand and another score with less than a minute left on the clock. The Coyotes held a 32-16 lead heading into the locker room at halftime.
The game was well played and hard fought up to this point…it was about to get elevated to another level in the second half!
The 3rd quarter turned into a war of attrition that would extend late into the 4th quarter. No team scored in the 3rd stanza…in fact no team secured a single 1st down. All but one possession ended in a failure to gain a first down on fourth down except for one and that was when Borden County was backed so far up, they punted out of their own endzone on fourth and long. Both defenses were covering, swarming, hitting with intent, every player unwilling to yield the slightest gain. Running backs bottled up, quarterbacks pressured, zones covered, receivers jammed, lanes closed off as soon as they were opened. The game turned into a battle for inches and intense pressure on who’s defense would crack. And it would continue into the fourth quarter.
With possession and still holding a 16-point lead, Borden County finally recorded a first down as the final quarter began, but shortly after, the Eagles would grab an INT and proceed to march down the field and score on a long run. Score stood at 32-24. Borden was forced to punt out of their own endzone for the second time on the night. The games’ only controversy came in Sterling City’s next possession. Facing a 2nd and 26, the Eagles running back scrambled to make a play, pulled up and tossed a pass down field to a receiver making a break. As the ball reached its target, a Coyote player coming up to make the play laid a heavy hit on the intended receiver right as the ball was getting there. The referee deemed the pass uncatchable which resulted in a defenseless receiver penalty, a solid gain, and a fresh set of downs for the Eagles. On the very next play on a running back option play, Cross Knittel pulled up and hit his receiver for a touchdown and the PAT would tie the game up at 32 with 3:04 left in the game with the momentum not in the talons of the Eagles. The Coyotes were again pinned back deep in their own territory, but a long pass and catch moved them down into Sterling City country, but the Eagles held their ground and forced a turnover on downs at their own 15. The very next play took all the air out of the Sterling City’s side of the stadium as while being pressured, a little floater type pass was snatched one handed out of the air by a Coyote defender. Borden County now had the ball at the 7-yard line in a tied game with less than a minute left to play in a tied game. It took all of one play for the Coyotes to regain the lead and with 46 seconds left Borden County was back on top 40-32.
A solid return on the kickoff gave Sterling City some room to try to work some magic as they began their final drive near midfield. On third and long, the Eagles running back seemed bottled up for a short gain, but he skirted out of the pack of Coyotes and ran down the sideline for enough yards for a 1st down. Then after a dump pass to the middle of the field that gained about 10 yards and a time out stopped the clock, only a few seconds remained…enough for one last play. Knittel would throw a jump ball to the endzone, and his tall target, Damian Calderon, reached over a Coyote defender pulling down the 18 yard touchdown pass. Time had expired and Sterling City needed to convert the PAT kick to force overtime. Borden County burned a timeout to try to freeze the kicker but to no avail. PAT was good and we were off to the first ever six-man football semi-final overtime game.
Sterling City had the ball first and wasted no time scoring on a 33-yard run by Knittel and added the PAT to take first lead of the game. The Eagles defense then held their ground and with a fourth and long forced a Coyote receiver fighting for the first down out of bounds a few yards shy and the ball game was over.
The game was one for the ages. One of the hardest fought contests I have ever seen.
It might have gone unnoticed, but on the game tying PAT kick that Sterling City made to send the game into overtime, a Borden County defender actually got a finger on the ball as I, while standing down on the line of scrimmage, heard the unmistakable low thud made when a finger just nicks a pigskin…but it wasn’t enough to affect the trajectory…it truly is a game of inches.
May vs Blum
For the final game, it was “off to Dublin in the green” as May and Blum matched up for what would be one of those track meet style six-man football games. It only took two plays and 11 seconds run off the clock before the first score of the night was made. Blum turned the ball over on a fumble to start the game and May scored on their first play to take an 8-0 lead. Blum struck back quickly by returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, but a blocked PAT enabled May to hold their lead. In the first 10 minutes of play, 54 points were scored with Blum on top 30-24… but one play into the second quarter and the game was tied up, and thus it would go, back and forth with points piling up. The final flurry of points in the first half came at the very end of it with May scoring on a long touchdown run and Blum returning the favor by returning the kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown It would be tied 52-52 at halftime and second half was no different. May scored first and take a six-point lead just eight seconds into the third quarter, and the two teams would just trade off touchdowns. May held that same slim six-point lead going into the final quarter.
Things slowed down a bit as this track meet rounded the turn into the final leg of the race as it wouldn’t be until midway through the quarter until we would see a score. Blum started the quarter with possession of the ball and held it for nearly five minutes before the Bobcats powered in a short touchdown run and converted the PAT to take a two-point lead with 5:06 left to play. The 12-play drive started in the third quarter at the Bobcat 10 and ate up 5 minutes and 39 seconds of game time. May seemed to score quickly on yet another long run, but a holding penalty negated it. On the next play, a Bobcat pounced on a Tiger fumble, and it took just one play for Blum to extend their lead by six, but a failed PAT made the lead eight points 86-78. The Tigers, undeterred, took the ball down to the one-yard line on their first play, into the endzone on their second play, and converted their PAT kick to tie the game up at 86 with 3:23 left in the game. Blum, looking to have another time-consuming drive that ended in points, moved within 15 yards of regaining the lead but were held and forced to turn the ball over on downs after failing to convert on 4th and five. With time running out and pinned back in their own territory, May couldn’t break loose and facing a 4th and long punted and Blum took over at their own 37 with a shot to win it with time for one play but failed to do so, and the game went into overtime.
May had the first possession and on their first play running back Kaden Halk capped off his 300+ yard rushing night with a 25 yard score, but Blum blocked the PAT attempt giving the Bobcats great hope at being able to win the track meet with a touchdown and converted PAT, be it the one or two point variety. However, the Tiger defense which had just held Blum on their final two possessions stood strong, forced a 4th and long and with great pressure by Tiger DE Kayden King, a short pass and catch resulted in a loss of yards, a turnover on downs, and a Semi-Final Victory for the May Tigers.
Borden County vs Sterling City
Borden County and Sterling City were involved in a defensive slugfest down in the belly of the Mustang Bowl in Sweetwater, TX. The game stared out with a bang as Borden County scored in under a minute to take an early 8-0 lead, only to have Sterling City knot it up two minutes later. The Coyotes would tack on eight more points and seemed in control after one quarter of play having little trouble moving the ball offensively.
In the second quarter, both defenses tightened up; trading off stops for most of the quarter. Finally, Sterling City ended the scoring drought of eight minutes of game time and tied the game up at 16; however, Borden responded with a TD less than 20 seconds later and with a defensive stand and another score with less than a minute left on the clock. The Coyotes held a 32-16 lead heading into the locker room at halftime.
The game was well played and hard fought up to this point…it was about to get elevated to another level in the second half!
The 3rd quarter turned into a war of attrition that would extend late into the 4th quarter. No team scored in the 3rd stanza…in fact no team secured a single 1st down. All but one possession ended in a failure to gain a first down on fourth down except for one and that was when Borden County was backed so far up, they punted out of their own endzone on fourth and long. Both defenses were covering, swarming, hitting with intent, every player unwilling to yield the slightest gain. Running backs bottled up, quarterbacks pressured, zones covered, receivers jammed, lanes closed off as soon as they were opened. The game turned into a battle for inches and intense pressure on who’s defense would crack. And it would continue into the fourth quarter.
With possession and still holding a 16-point lead, Borden County finally recorded a first down as the final quarter began, but shortly after, the Eagles would grab an INT and proceed to march down the field and score on a long run. Score stood at 32-24. Borden was forced to punt out of their own endzone for the second time on the night. The games’ only controversy came in Sterling City’s next possession. Facing a 2nd and 26, the Eagles running back scrambled to make a play, pulled up and tossed a pass down field to a receiver making a break. As the ball reached its target, a Coyote player coming up to make the play laid a heavy hit on the intended receiver right as the ball was getting there. The referee deemed the pass uncatchable which resulted in a defenseless receiver penalty, a solid gain, and a fresh set of downs for the Eagles. On the very next play on a running back option play, Cross Knittel pulled up and hit his receiver for a touchdown and the PAT would tie the game up at 32 with 3:04 left in the game with the momentum not in the talons of the Eagles. The Coyotes were again pinned back deep in their own territory, but a long pass and catch moved them down into Sterling City country, but the Eagles held their ground and forced a turnover on downs at their own 15. The very next play took all the air out of the Sterling City’s side of the stadium as while being pressured, a little floater type pass was snatched one handed out of the air by a Coyote defender. Borden County now had the ball at the 7-yard line in a tied game with less than a minute left to play in a tied game. It took all of one play for the Coyotes to regain the lead and with 46 seconds left Borden County was back on top 40-32.
A solid return on the kickoff gave Sterling City some room to try to work some magic as they began their final drive near midfield. On third and long, the Eagles running back seemed bottled up for a short gain, but he skirted out of the pack of Coyotes and ran down the sideline for enough yards for a 1st down. Then after a dump pass to the middle of the field that gained about 10 yards and a time out stopped the clock, only a few seconds remained…enough for one last play. Knittel would throw a jump ball to the endzone, and his tall target, Damian Calderon, reached over a Coyote defender pulling down the 18 yard touchdown pass. Time had expired and Sterling City needed to convert the PAT kick to force overtime. Borden County burned a timeout to try to freeze the kicker but to no avail. PAT was good and we were off to the first ever six-man football semi-final overtime game.
Sterling City had the ball first and wasted no time scoring on a 33-yard run by Knittel and added the PAT to take first lead of the game. The Eagles defense then held their ground and with a fourth and long forced a Coyote receiver fighting for the first down out of bounds a few yards shy and the ball game was over.
The game was one for the ages. One of the hardest fought contests I have ever seen.
It might have gone unnoticed, but on the game tying PAT kick that Sterling City made to send the game into overtime, a Borden County defender actually got a finger on the ball as I, while standing down on the line of scrimmage, heard the unmistakable low thud made when a finger just nicks a pigskin…but it wasn’t enough to affect the trajectory…it truly is a game of inches.
May vs Blum
For the final game, it was “off to Dublin in the green” as May and Blum matched up for what would be one of those track meet style six-man football games. It only took two plays and 11 seconds run off the clock before the first score of the night was made. Blum turned the ball over on a fumble to start the game and May scored on their first play to take an 8-0 lead. Blum struck back quickly by returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown, but a blocked PAT enabled May to hold their lead. In the first 10 minutes of play, 54 points were scored with Blum on top 30-24… but one play into the second quarter and the game was tied up, and thus it would go, back and forth with points piling up. The final flurry of points in the first half came at the very end of it with May scoring on a long touchdown run and Blum returning the favor by returning the kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown It would be tied 52-52 at halftime and second half was no different. May scored first and take a six-point lead just eight seconds into the third quarter, and the two teams would just trade off touchdowns. May held that same slim six-point lead going into the final quarter.
Things slowed down a bit as this track meet rounded the turn into the final leg of the race as it wouldn’t be until midway through the quarter until we would see a score. Blum started the quarter with possession of the ball and held it for nearly five minutes before the Bobcats powered in a short touchdown run and converted the PAT to take a two-point lead with 5:06 left to play. The 12-play drive started in the third quarter at the Bobcat 10 and ate up 5 minutes and 39 seconds of game time. May seemed to score quickly on yet another long run, but a holding penalty negated it. On the next play, a Bobcat pounced on a Tiger fumble, and it took just one play for Blum to extend their lead by six, but a failed PAT made the lead eight points 86-78. The Tigers, undeterred, took the ball down to the one-yard line on their first play, into the endzone on their second play, and converted their PAT kick to tie the game up at 86 with 3:23 left in the game. Blum, looking to have another time-consuming drive that ended in points, moved within 15 yards of regaining the lead but were held and forced to turn the ball over on downs after failing to convert on 4th and five. With time running out and pinned back in their own territory, May couldn’t break loose and facing a 4th and long punted and Blum took over at their own 37 with a shot to win it with time for one play but failed to do so, and the game went into overtime.
May had the first possession and on their first play running back Kaden Halk capped off his 300+ yard rushing night with a 25 yard score, but Blum blocked the PAT attempt giving the Bobcats great hope at being able to win the track meet with a touchdown and converted PAT, be it the one or two point variety. However, the Tiger defense which had just held Blum on their final two possessions stood strong, forced a 4th and long and with great pressure by Tiger DE Kayden King, a short pass and catch resulted in a loss of yards, a turnover on downs, and a Semi-Final Victory for the May Tigers.
2020 Division II State Semifinal Recap
The 1A D2 semi-final games Friday night were instant classics…the 1A D1 semi-final games on Saturday were Epics!
I can’t think of another year where if you replayed all four six-man semi-final games you would stand a very good chance of getting four different outcomes.
The victors this week walked off the field on the highest of highs, but the losers faced that long bus ride home with the biggest broken hearts any athlete has ever felt.
Here’s how the D2 games played out:
The first game on the six-man docket pitted the Groom Tigers and their nine players against the #1 Balmorhea Bears and their den of 25, including 13 seniors. Groom flexed their muscles early showing that they were not to be taken lightly by jumping out early on Balmorhea leading 22-8. Balmorhea then went to work cutting down that lead and brought the score back to even at the half 22-22. Groom, playing the role of David, did not falter and kept flinging their stones, in this case footballs, at the goliath-esque defense of Balmorhea. After holding the Bears offense in their first possession of the second half, the Tigers regained the lead with 4:49 left in the third quarter 30-22. The Bears clawed back quickly with 14 unanswered points to gain their first lead of the game 36-30 with 2:05 left in the third gaining their first lead of the game. The Tigers marched down field and were threatening to retake the lead, but the Bears defense held strong and came up with a huge sack on fourth down to end the quarter.
The Tigers defense returned the favor and batted a ball away on fourth down to turn the ball back over to them inside Balmorhea territory and a few plays later found pay dirt on a short pass and catch with great YAC by the Tiger receiver and the made PAT gave Groom back the lead 38-36 with 6:34 left in the game. Balmorhea would regain control with 4:39 left to play in what would be the final score of the game 44-38. Groom still had plenty of fight and a great run by spreadback Gunner Lamb gave the Tigers another 1st and goal. Balmorhea’s defense forced a 4th and goal from the eight and a Tiger pass to the endzone sailed over the intended receiver’s outreached hands with 1:42 left to play. Balmorhea almost gave them the ball right back with a fumble on the very next play, but retained possession. Groom with all their timeouts left began burning them with the hope of forcing the Bears to turn the ball back over with their defense. However, Balmorhea converted on a 3rd and short to secure the victory and become the first UIL team to punch their ticket to AT&T Stadium. Balmorhea 44 Groom 38
I traveled down the not so rocky road to Dublin, TX in hopes of catching another great playoff game between two long time playoff foes, Richland Springs and Strawn. All who attended sure got their money’s worth by the time the game was over.
Richland Springs took advantage of some early Strawn miscues and seemed to be looking like Coyote teams of ol’ in the first half of play firing on all cylinders. With a slim 21-14 lead at the end of the first and a quick Coyote touchdown to start the second, they held a comfortable 29-14 lead…but things can change in a hurry in six-man. Strawn answered with a score, failed to convert the PAT, and then recovered a Coyote fumble, and it looked like their lead would be cut down to possibly one point at halftime. However, after a dropped touchdown pass on fourth down turned the ball back over to Richland Springs, the Coyotes scored two plays later on a long run and with the PAT, extended their lead to 17, 37-20, which they would take into the locker room at halftime.
In the second half, Strawn’s defense began to make plays and their offense started to click as the Greyhounds slowly started to mount a comeback. By forcing the Coyotes to turn the ball over on downs in two out of their three possessions and scoring on both of theirs, the Greyhounds narrowed the Coyotes lead to 11 by the end of the third quarter 45-34. On the first possession of the fourth quarter and facing a 4th and five under heavy pressure, Strawn’s quarterback seemed to have been sacked or gotten off an incomplete pass at the last second; however, the officials ruled it a fumble and Coyote defender Jayden Bryant quickly scooped it up and scampered untouched for a defensive touchdown. And with the score at 53-34 with 7:54 left in the game to the unfamiliar that seemed to be a back breaking turn of events that would seal the victory for Richland Springs…but those familiar with six-man football know that as Yogi said… it aint over till it’s over.
Strawn quickly scored with 6:31 on the clock and converted their PAT and the score stood at 53-42. Strawn scored again and, with another converted PAT, cut it to three points, 53-50, with 3:04 left in the game. Richland Springs was not deterred as they marched down field and with a great zig-zagging long run by Zane Capps scored again but failed to convert their extra point and with 2:04 left in the game held a 59-50 lead. The Greyhounds scored quickly on a short pass and catch play and the PAT was blocked 59-56 with 1:09 left in the game. Strawn still had all their timeouts left.
As the game was coming down to the end, I was having serious flashbacks to the 2003 semi-final game when Strawn muscled in a game winning touchdown as time expired defeating Richland Springs 56-54 in route to their first state title. Sure enough, the Greyhound defense held strong and coach Dewaine Lee used his timeouts perfectly, and Richland Springs was facing 4th and 7 with 51 seconds to play. Needing a first down, the Coyotes elected for a short pass play but a Greyhound defender, Luke Eli, who had an amazing night offensively as well, jumped up and pulled down an amazing interception with 45 seconds on the clock as Strawn took over at their own 33-yard line.
After an incomplete pass and nice run play going out of bounds moved Strawn into Coyote territory with a fresh set of downs, the Greyhounds had an excellent chance to go ahead with seconds left or even win the game on the final play. After an incomplete pass, a short run gain running out of bounds to stop the clock and another incomplete pass in the endzone, Strawn faced 4th and 10 with just six ticks left on the clock…this would be the final play and undoubtedly the ghost of 2003 presence was felt by all who remembered it. A scramble by the quarterback and a short pass to Eli who was powering his way down the sideline was forced out of bounds and came up a few yards short and like that the game was over… Richland Springs elated and Strawn dejected.
For Strawn, who had a hard time finding their rhythm throughout the night, you cannot ask for more than to have the ball with a good shot at winning the game in the final seconds. For Richland Springs they played a great game and survived the Strawn flurry at the end and exercised that ghost of 17 seasons past to advance to their 11th state title game. Richland Springs 59 Strawn 56
It was the best game I'd witnessed all season... and then I went to Sweetwater! Look for the Division I recap tomorrow!
The 1A D2 semi-final games Friday night were instant classics…the 1A D1 semi-final games on Saturday were Epics!
I can’t think of another year where if you replayed all four six-man semi-final games you would stand a very good chance of getting four different outcomes.
The victors this week walked off the field on the highest of highs, but the losers faced that long bus ride home with the biggest broken hearts any athlete has ever felt.
Here’s how the D2 games played out:
The first game on the six-man docket pitted the Groom Tigers and their nine players against the #1 Balmorhea Bears and their den of 25, including 13 seniors. Groom flexed their muscles early showing that they were not to be taken lightly by jumping out early on Balmorhea leading 22-8. Balmorhea then went to work cutting down that lead and brought the score back to even at the half 22-22. Groom, playing the role of David, did not falter and kept flinging their stones, in this case footballs, at the goliath-esque defense of Balmorhea. After holding the Bears offense in their first possession of the second half, the Tigers regained the lead with 4:49 left in the third quarter 30-22. The Bears clawed back quickly with 14 unanswered points to gain their first lead of the game 36-30 with 2:05 left in the third gaining their first lead of the game. The Tigers marched down field and were threatening to retake the lead, but the Bears defense held strong and came up with a huge sack on fourth down to end the quarter.
The Tigers defense returned the favor and batted a ball away on fourth down to turn the ball back over to them inside Balmorhea territory and a few plays later found pay dirt on a short pass and catch with great YAC by the Tiger receiver and the made PAT gave Groom back the lead 38-36 with 6:34 left in the game. Balmorhea would regain control with 4:39 left to play in what would be the final score of the game 44-38. Groom still had plenty of fight and a great run by spreadback Gunner Lamb gave the Tigers another 1st and goal. Balmorhea’s defense forced a 4th and goal from the eight and a Tiger pass to the endzone sailed over the intended receiver’s outreached hands with 1:42 left to play. Balmorhea almost gave them the ball right back with a fumble on the very next play, but retained possession. Groom with all their timeouts left began burning them with the hope of forcing the Bears to turn the ball back over with their defense. However, Balmorhea converted on a 3rd and short to secure the victory and become the first UIL team to punch their ticket to AT&T Stadium. Balmorhea 44 Groom 38
I traveled down the not so rocky road to Dublin, TX in hopes of catching another great playoff game between two long time playoff foes, Richland Springs and Strawn. All who attended sure got their money’s worth by the time the game was over.
Richland Springs took advantage of some early Strawn miscues and seemed to be looking like Coyote teams of ol’ in the first half of play firing on all cylinders. With a slim 21-14 lead at the end of the first and a quick Coyote touchdown to start the second, they held a comfortable 29-14 lead…but things can change in a hurry in six-man. Strawn answered with a score, failed to convert the PAT, and then recovered a Coyote fumble, and it looked like their lead would be cut down to possibly one point at halftime. However, after a dropped touchdown pass on fourth down turned the ball back over to Richland Springs, the Coyotes scored two plays later on a long run and with the PAT, extended their lead to 17, 37-20, which they would take into the locker room at halftime.
In the second half, Strawn’s defense began to make plays and their offense started to click as the Greyhounds slowly started to mount a comeback. By forcing the Coyotes to turn the ball over on downs in two out of their three possessions and scoring on both of theirs, the Greyhounds narrowed the Coyotes lead to 11 by the end of the third quarter 45-34. On the first possession of the fourth quarter and facing a 4th and five under heavy pressure, Strawn’s quarterback seemed to have been sacked or gotten off an incomplete pass at the last second; however, the officials ruled it a fumble and Coyote defender Jayden Bryant quickly scooped it up and scampered untouched for a defensive touchdown. And with the score at 53-34 with 7:54 left in the game to the unfamiliar that seemed to be a back breaking turn of events that would seal the victory for Richland Springs…but those familiar with six-man football know that as Yogi said… it aint over till it’s over.
Strawn quickly scored with 6:31 on the clock and converted their PAT and the score stood at 53-42. Strawn scored again and, with another converted PAT, cut it to three points, 53-50, with 3:04 left in the game. Richland Springs was not deterred as they marched down field and with a great zig-zagging long run by Zane Capps scored again but failed to convert their extra point and with 2:04 left in the game held a 59-50 lead. The Greyhounds scored quickly on a short pass and catch play and the PAT was blocked 59-56 with 1:09 left in the game. Strawn still had all their timeouts left.
As the game was coming down to the end, I was having serious flashbacks to the 2003 semi-final game when Strawn muscled in a game winning touchdown as time expired defeating Richland Springs 56-54 in route to their first state title. Sure enough, the Greyhound defense held strong and coach Dewaine Lee used his timeouts perfectly, and Richland Springs was facing 4th and 7 with 51 seconds to play. Needing a first down, the Coyotes elected for a short pass play but a Greyhound defender, Luke Eli, who had an amazing night offensively as well, jumped up and pulled down an amazing interception with 45 seconds on the clock as Strawn took over at their own 33-yard line.
After an incomplete pass and nice run play going out of bounds moved Strawn into Coyote territory with a fresh set of downs, the Greyhounds had an excellent chance to go ahead with seconds left or even win the game on the final play. After an incomplete pass, a short run gain running out of bounds to stop the clock and another incomplete pass in the endzone, Strawn faced 4th and 10 with just six ticks left on the clock…this would be the final play and undoubtedly the ghost of 2003 presence was felt by all who remembered it. A scramble by the quarterback and a short pass to Eli who was powering his way down the sideline was forced out of bounds and came up a few yards short and like that the game was over… Richland Springs elated and Strawn dejected.
For Strawn, who had a hard time finding their rhythm throughout the night, you cannot ask for more than to have the ball with a good shot at winning the game in the final seconds. For Richland Springs they played a great game and survived the Strawn flurry at the end and exercised that ghost of 17 seasons past to advance to their 11th state title game. Richland Springs 59 Strawn 56
It was the best game I'd witnessed all season... and then I went to Sweetwater! Look for the Division I recap tomorrow!
1A Six-Man All-State Team
As class 1A is the only classification in which the Texas Sports Writers’ Association as well as the Sports Editors’ Associated Press does not see fit to select an All-State Team for, I am making an effort here to remedy that by outlining a selection process with a definition of terms for a 1A All-State Team. I have consulted with several coaches and people who cover six-man football and will subsequently put forth an All-State team for the 2019 season.
The Six-Man Coaches’ Association does select two All-State Teams, one for each division, with many players being selected to each team and, at times, out of their primary positions. The following format will focus more on being select, with fewer players selected by combining positions, and looking at the classification as a whole.
Here are my suggested player positions for the ALL Six-Man All-State Team:
The main issues in six-man comes with terminology; what is an End or Tight End or Guard or Wide Receiver? The answer is they are all the same; they are a type of Offensive Lineman. I suggest having three slots for Offensive Line (OL) with the designation that OL means a player whose primary position is either OL, End, Wide Receiver, Tight End, or Guard being eligible. Center is obviously an offensive line position, but that position would will have their its own slot.
The same would apply to the Running Back (RB) slot. There are two slots for RB and players designated as Fullback, Tailback, Upback, or Wingback are eligible for the RB position. Same for Quarterback (QB)/SpreadBack (SB): two slots and either may be selected in those slots. With defense the Linebacker (LB) slot would be for all Linebackers and Cornerbacks. The Defensive Line (DL) slots are for any player designated End, Defensive End, Nose Guard, Guard, Defensive Tackle or Spread Rusher. Safety and Defensive Back will be considered for the S/DB slot.
To simplify:
Offensive Line (OL) is primary positions of:
Defensive Line (DL) is primary positions of:
The Utility slot gives an extra slot for any player to be selected.
Special Teams slot is for anyone on special teams, kickers (KO, Punter), returners, or even a deep snapping center. There would be one slot specifically for an extra point Place Kicker as it’s important enough to be separate from the Special Teams’ category.
There would be 1st team, 2nd team and an Honorable Mention (HM) sections. Only in the HM section could multiples be selected at a position, and my suggestion would be extra HM selections should be limited to only the RB and QB/SB positions as those are the primary play maker positions in the six-man game.
There should be enough great players in class 1A whereas selecting the same player on both sides of the ball can be avoided; however, there is usually one or two rare cases where a player is so talented that they he COULD be select to both offense and defense. It is not prohibited, but best avoided unless in rare cases. Note: Special Teams is a slot where a player previously selected to an offensive or defensive team could be selected without cause for concern.
As class 1A is the only classification in which the Texas Sports Writers’ Association as well as the Sports Editors’ Associated Press does not see fit to select an All-State Team for, I am making an effort here to remedy that by outlining a selection process with a definition of terms for a 1A All-State Team. I have consulted with several coaches and people who cover six-man football and will subsequently put forth an All-State team for the 2019 season.
The Six-Man Coaches’ Association does select two All-State Teams, one for each division, with many players being selected to each team and, at times, out of their primary positions. The following format will focus more on being select, with fewer players selected by combining positions, and looking at the classification as a whole.
Here are my suggested player positions for the ALL Six-Man All-State Team:
The main issues in six-man comes with terminology; what is an End or Tight End or Guard or Wide Receiver? The answer is they are all the same; they are a type of Offensive Lineman. I suggest having three slots for Offensive Line (OL) with the designation that OL means a player whose primary position is either OL, End, Wide Receiver, Tight End, or Guard being eligible. Center is obviously an offensive line position, but that position would will have their its own slot.
The same would apply to the Running Back (RB) slot. There are two slots for RB and players designated as Fullback, Tailback, Upback, or Wingback are eligible for the RB position. Same for Quarterback (QB)/SpreadBack (SB): two slots and either may be selected in those slots. With defense the Linebacker (LB) slot would be for all Linebackers and Cornerbacks. The Defensive Line (DL) slots are for any player designated End, Defensive End, Nose Guard, Guard, Defensive Tackle or Spread Rusher. Safety and Defensive Back will be considered for the S/DB slot.
To simplify:
Offensive Line (OL) is primary positions of:
- Offensive Line (OL)
- End (E)
- Wide Receiver (WR)
- Tight End (TE)
- Guard (G)
Defensive Line (DL) is primary positions of:
- End (E)
- Defensive End (DE)
- Nose Guard (NG)
- Spread Rusher (SR)
- Defensive Tackle (DT)
The Utility slot gives an extra slot for any player to be selected.
Special Teams slot is for anyone on special teams, kickers (KO, Punter), returners, or even a deep snapping center. There would be one slot specifically for an extra point Place Kicker as it’s important enough to be separate from the Special Teams’ category.
There would be 1st team, 2nd team and an Honorable Mention (HM) sections. Only in the HM section could multiples be selected at a position, and my suggestion would be extra HM selections should be limited to only the RB and QB/SB positions as those are the primary play maker positions in the six-man game.
There should be enough great players in class 1A whereas selecting the same player on both sides of the ball can be avoided; however, there is usually one or two rare cases where a player is so talented that they he COULD be select to both offense and defense. It is not prohibited, but best avoided unless in rare cases. Note: Special Teams is a slot where a player previously selected to an offensive or defensive team could be selected without cause for concern.
State Semifinal Game Previews
Division II
Motley County (10-3) v Blackwell (13-0) – Friday 6:30 @ Knox City, TX
Maybe the least talked about matchup in all of class 1A is for the division two west semi-final championship as winner of region one Motley County Matadors will take on the region two champion Blackwell Hornets. Both teams are riding high in the saddle into this showdown after big wins last week.
In a battle of top 10 programs, Motley County survived their battle with rival Groom 62-56 to capture their first regional title since 2011. Blackwell enacted a little revenge on Jayton who thumped them out of the playoffs last season by upsetting the number one Jaybirds 62-54.
Blackwell, thanks to their big win last week, will be the odds on favorite in this matchup. The Hornets are one of the most balanced teams left in 6man action, their victory over Jayton was a testament to this as seven different players scored points in that battle. QB Michael Lowry has a solid receiving core that should give the Matador secondary trouble. However, Motley County’s old school style tight offense is nothing to look past as they are probably the best blocking team left in division two and coach Bigham is blessed with one of the best running backs in the state in Jake Richards who has logged over 3,000 yards on the ground this season. Their play action with Demitric Sims and big receiver Kade Wampler is solid enough to keep defenses honest, too. It also should be noted that Motley County has one heck of an onside kicking game, which could take away some possessions from the Hornets, but this game will ultimately come down to defense. Which team will make the stops and force a turnover or two? Blackwell has allowed 17.6 ppg to Motley’s 37. I think the Hornet defense makes the stops when it needs to, and that enables them to survive a tough young Matador team and advance on to the state title game.
Players to Watch:
Motley County – Jake Richards, Kade Wampler, Dereck Fisk;
Blackwell – Michael Lowry, Joel Guia, Sam Brinkman
Tweetable Saturday Headline: Hornets Set to Swarm AT&T! Advance to School’s First Ever Title Game
Pick: Blackwell by 16
Strawn (9-4) v Richland Springs (11-0) – Friday 7:00pm @ Shotwell Stadium, Abilene, TX
This is always a classic playoff matchup when it happens, and I promise you it will be again this year as two of the biggest programs in six-man football square off to face the challenger from the West at AT&T Stadium.
In the quarter-final round, Strawn enacted revenge on district rival Gordon, who handed them a 27-26 loss back in week 11, by pulling away late to win 64-40. Richland Springs in the region four title bout with Oakwood turned in a near flawless performance and totally dominated the Panthers winning 72-12 ending the game at halftime via the mercy rule.
Both teams feature star players with a great supporting cast around them. Two-time defending state champs Strawn’s do-it-all player, JW Montgomery, is a pack of dynamite. A small, quick, and powerful running back that has a good arm that option pass can be deadly offensively and is a hard hitting linebacker on defense as well, and he does his best at kicking the Greyhounds PATs. Marco Lopez and David Shugart are two hard hitting defenders and big time blockers for the Greyhounds, and the Garcia’s, Matthew and Lorenzo, along with Luke Eli are scoring threats threw the air. Richland Springs has QB Landon Burkhart who has a solid arm and limber legs that can evade and scamper when needed. Around him are the tough as nails Rigdon’s, Matthew, and Griff, and little talked about do it all Lane Shannon and Wade Appleton a solid defensive player.
The big difference between these two teams has been their schedules. Strawn, for the second year in a row, went out and played a murders row of D1 schools and suffered some loses and got a little banged up along the way. That plus having to play big time rival and top 10 team Gordon twice results in one of the toughest schedules in 1A. As a result, the Greyhounds lost a few along the way and have been banged up a little at various points this season. However, Strawn appears to be near full health just in time for this epic face off with the Richland Springs Coyotes. Richland Springs’ schedule was much less challenging. Aside from a week 1 win over the always competitive May, the Coyotes did not square off with a high-quality opponent until the second round of the playoffs against Calvert, and it took a last minute touchdown to win that game for the Coyotes. This will be the hardest-hitting and best-conditioned team the Coyotes have faced all season, and to me, the outcome of the game will come down to how well Richland Springs will respond to the physicality of Strawn. I think Strawn’s defense will just wear down the Coyotes, enabling the Greyhounds to pull away late advancing to the third straight title game appearance.
Players to Watch:
Richland Springs – Matthew Rigdon, Landon Burkhart, Lane Shannon;
Strawn – JW Montgomery, David Shugart, Marco Lopez
Tweetable Saturday Headline: Strawn Pelts the Coyotes! Heading back to AT&T for Third Straight Year.
Pick: Strawn by 10
Division I
McLean (12-1) v Rankin (12-1) – Saturday 6:00pm @ Wolfforth Frenship
Region two has received much of the publication out West for its murders row of teams, so McLean, your defending state champions out of region one, has pretty much flown under the radar if you can believe that. In a much-hyped rivalry rematch with district foe White Deer, McLean ran over the Bucks winning via the mercy rule 59-12. As big a story as that was it was, region two yet again grabbed the spotlight as Rankin knocked off number one Borden County by a shocking score of 78-32 returning a pick 6 to end the game via the mercy rule. So now we have the new #1 Rankin Red Devils facing off with the #2 Mclean Tigers.
Rankin, led by coach Avalos, has seemed to hit their stride at the perfect time. They upset #1 at the time Balmorhea to win their district title in week 11, avenged their only loss to Sterling City in bi-district, and played a well-executed game all around against power house Borden County last week. The Red Devils are at full health and simple bedeviling defenses with their multi threat, speedy offensive attack. De’shon Goodley, once he hits the hole, is gone! Amazing speed! QB Titan Quigg is a threat through the air with Ben Rios and Braxton Kirkland players that have to be accounted for offensively as well. Defensively Kirkland is a hard hitter, and the overall team speed takes away the corners from the best of offenses. Mclean has the best player in all of 1A in RB/LB Ben Crockett. Every once in a blue moon you will see a player that single handedly can take over and dominate a game, and Crockett is one of those players. He has amassed over 2,500 yards and 60 TDs rushing alone and has a good enough arm to pull back and burn secondaries cheating up to try to stop the run. Big linemen aid Crocket no doubt with Cade Reichman, Dalton Abshire and Keaton Helton holding down the offensive front. Defensively McLean is solid and built to stop the run; again with a dominant line and Crockett at linebacker.
The key to this game will be can Rankin stop a power run offense and can McLean’s defense keep up with Rankin’s speed. A classic power versus speed battle! It is a hard game to call. Both teams have solid PAT kickers, so extra points should play out the same, which is usually a difference maker in these pick’m type games. McLean has been the least talked about state champions in all of Texas, and with region one playing second fiddle to region two all season in the rankings and press, that all plays right into Coach Linman’s hands. The Tigers will be out for blood. That and the fact that they have the best player on the field, I think is enough of an edge for McLean to squeak past Rankin in an epic semi-final game.
Players to Watch:
McLean – Ben Crockett, Dalton Abshire, Jacob Watson;
Rankin – De’shon Goodley, Braxton Kirkland, Titan Quigg
Tweetable Saturday Headline: McLean Pounds Their Way Past Rankin & into the Title Game to Defend their Title!
Pick: McLean by 2
Blum (11-2) v Jonesboro (12-1) – Friday 7:00pm @ Hico
Blum came from down 24-6 at one point and two points at halftime (24-22) to survive a scrappy Saint Jo and advance to their first semi-final appearance since 2014 where they won the region three title by a score of 54-30. Jonesboro was also trailing at halftime against Nueces Canyon 28-20 in the region four title match and then preformed one of the most dynamic turn arounds after halftime by outscoring Nueces Canyon 63-6 to win comfortably 83-34. This semi-final showdown is a rematch of a week two game in which Jonesboro narrowly defeated Blum in a low scoring 20-6 affair. It is safe to say both squads aren’t the same as they were back in week 12.
This may playout as a run dominant team in Jonesboro versys a run/pass attack team that favors the pass in Blum. Jonesboro amassed over 500 yards of rushing last week behind a strong performance from Ian Shoaf who rushed for 242 yards with three touchdowns on just 12 carries. Almost every offensive play for Blum will run through either Dylan Vardeman or Coltin Gonzales who complement each other well as both can run or pass out of the Bobcat backfield, which will keep the Jonesboro defense guessing. Vardeman’s play may be the key to Bobcat success this time around as he is at full force and seems to be coming into his own at the most pivotal time of the season. Amazingly both teams average 49 points a game and are allowing 17.5 ppg! This on paper seems to be one of those “who has the ball last” games! The history of big game experience that coach Gallegos and his Eagles have with making two title game appearances in the last three years gives Jonesboro a slight edge. I’m picking the Eagles but anything can happen in this game!
Players to Watch:
Blum – Dylan Vardeman, Coltin Gonzales, Blain Garza;
Jonesboro – Ian Shoaf, Brandon Nemelka, Keith Sanders
Tweetable Saturday Headline: Jonesboro Eagles Are Soring Back to State!
Pick: Jonesboro by 6
Division II
Motley County (10-3) v Blackwell (13-0) – Friday 6:30 @ Knox City, TX
Maybe the least talked about matchup in all of class 1A is for the division two west semi-final championship as winner of region one Motley County Matadors will take on the region two champion Blackwell Hornets. Both teams are riding high in the saddle into this showdown after big wins last week.
In a battle of top 10 programs, Motley County survived their battle with rival Groom 62-56 to capture their first regional title since 2011. Blackwell enacted a little revenge on Jayton who thumped them out of the playoffs last season by upsetting the number one Jaybirds 62-54.
Blackwell, thanks to their big win last week, will be the odds on favorite in this matchup. The Hornets are one of the most balanced teams left in 6man action, their victory over Jayton was a testament to this as seven different players scored points in that battle. QB Michael Lowry has a solid receiving core that should give the Matador secondary trouble. However, Motley County’s old school style tight offense is nothing to look past as they are probably the best blocking team left in division two and coach Bigham is blessed with one of the best running backs in the state in Jake Richards who has logged over 3,000 yards on the ground this season. Their play action with Demitric Sims and big receiver Kade Wampler is solid enough to keep defenses honest, too. It also should be noted that Motley County has one heck of an onside kicking game, which could take away some possessions from the Hornets, but this game will ultimately come down to defense. Which team will make the stops and force a turnover or two? Blackwell has allowed 17.6 ppg to Motley’s 37. I think the Hornet defense makes the stops when it needs to, and that enables them to survive a tough young Matador team and advance on to the state title game.
Players to Watch:
Motley County – Jake Richards, Kade Wampler, Dereck Fisk;
Blackwell – Michael Lowry, Joel Guia, Sam Brinkman
Tweetable Saturday Headline: Hornets Set to Swarm AT&T! Advance to School’s First Ever Title Game
Pick: Blackwell by 16
Strawn (9-4) v Richland Springs (11-0) – Friday 7:00pm @ Shotwell Stadium, Abilene, TX
This is always a classic playoff matchup when it happens, and I promise you it will be again this year as two of the biggest programs in six-man football square off to face the challenger from the West at AT&T Stadium.
In the quarter-final round, Strawn enacted revenge on district rival Gordon, who handed them a 27-26 loss back in week 11, by pulling away late to win 64-40. Richland Springs in the region four title bout with Oakwood turned in a near flawless performance and totally dominated the Panthers winning 72-12 ending the game at halftime via the mercy rule.
Both teams feature star players with a great supporting cast around them. Two-time defending state champs Strawn’s do-it-all player, JW Montgomery, is a pack of dynamite. A small, quick, and powerful running back that has a good arm that option pass can be deadly offensively and is a hard hitting linebacker on defense as well, and he does his best at kicking the Greyhounds PATs. Marco Lopez and David Shugart are two hard hitting defenders and big time blockers for the Greyhounds, and the Garcia’s, Matthew and Lorenzo, along with Luke Eli are scoring threats threw the air. Richland Springs has QB Landon Burkhart who has a solid arm and limber legs that can evade and scamper when needed. Around him are the tough as nails Rigdon’s, Matthew, and Griff, and little talked about do it all Lane Shannon and Wade Appleton a solid defensive player.
The big difference between these two teams has been their schedules. Strawn, for the second year in a row, went out and played a murders row of D1 schools and suffered some loses and got a little banged up along the way. That plus having to play big time rival and top 10 team Gordon twice results in one of the toughest schedules in 1A. As a result, the Greyhounds lost a few along the way and have been banged up a little at various points this season. However, Strawn appears to be near full health just in time for this epic face off with the Richland Springs Coyotes. Richland Springs’ schedule was much less challenging. Aside from a week 1 win over the always competitive May, the Coyotes did not square off with a high-quality opponent until the second round of the playoffs against Calvert, and it took a last minute touchdown to win that game for the Coyotes. This will be the hardest-hitting and best-conditioned team the Coyotes have faced all season, and to me, the outcome of the game will come down to how well Richland Springs will respond to the physicality of Strawn. I think Strawn’s defense will just wear down the Coyotes, enabling the Greyhounds to pull away late advancing to the third straight title game appearance.
Players to Watch:
Richland Springs – Matthew Rigdon, Landon Burkhart, Lane Shannon;
Strawn – JW Montgomery, David Shugart, Marco Lopez
Tweetable Saturday Headline: Strawn Pelts the Coyotes! Heading back to AT&T for Third Straight Year.
Pick: Strawn by 10
Division I
McLean (12-1) v Rankin (12-1) – Saturday 6:00pm @ Wolfforth Frenship
Region two has received much of the publication out West for its murders row of teams, so McLean, your defending state champions out of region one, has pretty much flown under the radar if you can believe that. In a much-hyped rivalry rematch with district foe White Deer, McLean ran over the Bucks winning via the mercy rule 59-12. As big a story as that was it was, region two yet again grabbed the spotlight as Rankin knocked off number one Borden County by a shocking score of 78-32 returning a pick 6 to end the game via the mercy rule. So now we have the new #1 Rankin Red Devils facing off with the #2 Mclean Tigers.
Rankin, led by coach Avalos, has seemed to hit their stride at the perfect time. They upset #1 at the time Balmorhea to win their district title in week 11, avenged their only loss to Sterling City in bi-district, and played a well-executed game all around against power house Borden County last week. The Red Devils are at full health and simple bedeviling defenses with their multi threat, speedy offensive attack. De’shon Goodley, once he hits the hole, is gone! Amazing speed! QB Titan Quigg is a threat through the air with Ben Rios and Braxton Kirkland players that have to be accounted for offensively as well. Defensively Kirkland is a hard hitter, and the overall team speed takes away the corners from the best of offenses. Mclean has the best player in all of 1A in RB/LB Ben Crockett. Every once in a blue moon you will see a player that single handedly can take over and dominate a game, and Crockett is one of those players. He has amassed over 2,500 yards and 60 TDs rushing alone and has a good enough arm to pull back and burn secondaries cheating up to try to stop the run. Big linemen aid Crocket no doubt with Cade Reichman, Dalton Abshire and Keaton Helton holding down the offensive front. Defensively McLean is solid and built to stop the run; again with a dominant line and Crockett at linebacker.
The key to this game will be can Rankin stop a power run offense and can McLean’s defense keep up with Rankin’s speed. A classic power versus speed battle! It is a hard game to call. Both teams have solid PAT kickers, so extra points should play out the same, which is usually a difference maker in these pick’m type games. McLean has been the least talked about state champions in all of Texas, and with region one playing second fiddle to region two all season in the rankings and press, that all plays right into Coach Linman’s hands. The Tigers will be out for blood. That and the fact that they have the best player on the field, I think is enough of an edge for McLean to squeak past Rankin in an epic semi-final game.
Players to Watch:
McLean – Ben Crockett, Dalton Abshire, Jacob Watson;
Rankin – De’shon Goodley, Braxton Kirkland, Titan Quigg
Tweetable Saturday Headline: McLean Pounds Their Way Past Rankin & into the Title Game to Defend their Title!
Pick: McLean by 2
Blum (11-2) v Jonesboro (12-1) – Friday 7:00pm @ Hico
Blum came from down 24-6 at one point and two points at halftime (24-22) to survive a scrappy Saint Jo and advance to their first semi-final appearance since 2014 where they won the region three title by a score of 54-30. Jonesboro was also trailing at halftime against Nueces Canyon 28-20 in the region four title match and then preformed one of the most dynamic turn arounds after halftime by outscoring Nueces Canyon 63-6 to win comfortably 83-34. This semi-final showdown is a rematch of a week two game in which Jonesboro narrowly defeated Blum in a low scoring 20-6 affair. It is safe to say both squads aren’t the same as they were back in week 12.
This may playout as a run dominant team in Jonesboro versys a run/pass attack team that favors the pass in Blum. Jonesboro amassed over 500 yards of rushing last week behind a strong performance from Ian Shoaf who rushed for 242 yards with three touchdowns on just 12 carries. Almost every offensive play for Blum will run through either Dylan Vardeman or Coltin Gonzales who complement each other well as both can run or pass out of the Bobcat backfield, which will keep the Jonesboro defense guessing. Vardeman’s play may be the key to Bobcat success this time around as he is at full force and seems to be coming into his own at the most pivotal time of the season. Amazingly both teams average 49 points a game and are allowing 17.5 ppg! This on paper seems to be one of those “who has the ball last” games! The history of big game experience that coach Gallegos and his Eagles have with making two title game appearances in the last three years gives Jonesboro a slight edge. I’m picking the Eagles but anything can happen in this game!
Players to Watch:
Blum – Dylan Vardeman, Coltin Gonzales, Blain Garza;
Jonesboro – Ian Shoaf, Brandon Nemelka, Keith Sanders
Tweetable Saturday Headline: Jonesboro Eagles Are Soring Back to State!
Pick: Jonesboro by 6
State Quarterfinal Game Previews
DIVISION II
Region I
Motley County (10-2) v Groom (9-3) – Friday 7pm Nazareth
Motley County handled Anton easily 60-13 and Groom made quick work of Whitharral 54-8. These two teams squared off in the first round of the playoffs last year and Motley County edged the Tigers 72-56. Both teams graduated some key players off their 2018 squads, but Motley County seems to have returned a stronger core of young players when compared to Groom. However, the Tigers have rolled in the playoffs and easily defeated Whitharral via the mercy rule in a game many thought would be a tight contest last week. There is a lot of things very similar when comparing these two teams; both played some tough teams pre-district, both have great playoff traditions, both have solid offensive attacks scoring a lot of points (MC 66.83 ppg, Groom 56.67 ppg) and both defenses are prone to giving up a lot of points (MC 35.5 ppg, Groom 24.17 ppg). Personally, I love the offensive scheming that coach Bigham brings to the table and how he has his Matadors looking like a well-oiled machine by the time the playoffs come around every year. I think his play-makers in Demitric Sims and Kade Wampler will be tough for coach Dodson and the Tigers to counter. It will likely be a high scoring game, and I’m taking Motley County in this one.
Players to Watch: Motley Co – Demitric Sims, Kade Wampler; Groom: Cade Linquist, Braedon Williams
Staurday’s Tweetable Headline: Crew of motley Matadors grooms the Tigers
Pick: Motley County by 20
Region 2
Jayton (12-0) v Blackwell (12-0) – Friday 6:30 Gail, TX
The #1 vs #2 team in the state squared in last week in the area round and Jayton capitalized off Grandfalls-Royalty turnovers and came up with a few big defensive stop in the second half to pull away and win comfortably 72-32. Blackwell moved to 12-0 for the first time in school history as they defeated Throckmorton 46-0 in a game that ended at the half. Last year these two teams faced off in the area round of the playoffs and the heavily favored Blackwell Hornets were beaten soundly by the Jayton Jaybirds 68-18 thanks to a Jaybird scoring frenzy in the second half. While both squads fielding roughly the same team this time around it is easy to see how #1 Jayton is the obvious favorite. However, those Hornets have been stewing on that defeat for over a year now and are out for revenge. That hunger will only get you so far. Jayton has one of the best RB’s in 1A in Tye Scogin (69-936, 20 TDs rushing) and a potent passer in Aaron Hernandez (36-57, 914, 21 TDs passing) to balance their very dangerous offensive attack. That one-two offensive combo has help the Jaybirds win 10 of their 12 games via the mercy rule. Blackwell has its own one-two combo offensive attack in RB Cameron Coldiron (1,025 yards, 24 TDs rushing) and Michael Lowry (1,493 yards, 33 TDs passing). Blackwell has played four full games this season compared to Jayton’s two, so conditioning may be a factor in the second half of play, but everything has to go right for the Hornets to pull the upset, and Jayton has been the AP #1 all season for a reason. I think Jayton does just enough late to counter a near upset by Blackwell.
Players to Watch: Jayton – Tye Scogin, Aaron Hernandez, Evan Cheyne;
Blackwell – Cameron Coldiron, Joel Guia, Nathaniel Shipman
Saturday’s Tweetable Headline: Jaybirds Remedy a Mighty Hornet Sting to Win
Pick: Jayton by 6
Region 3
Gordon (11-1) v Strawn (8-4) – Thursday 7pm Hico, TX
In a pair of Thursday games last week both Strawn and Gordon won handily; Strawn 62-14 over Cranfills Gap and Gordon 52-6 over Cinderella team, Bynum. This sets up a rematch in one of the most hotly contested rivalries in the state of Texas for the region title. Gordon defeated Strawn for the district laurels in week 11 at home by a single point 27-26. Both teams were expecting to meet again for the region three title, and here they are. This time around two factors will be paramount; making adjustments and making extra points. No doubt both wily state champion sporting coaches, Dewaine Lee for Strawn and Mike Reed for Gordon, will have made adjustments and changes to their schemes since the previous meeting. The team with the best implementation, execution, and adjustments in game will have a big advantage this second time around. However, probably the most important aspect will be which team can convert their extra points. Both had obvious trouble in the district title game and Gordon’s one-point conversion on the last score of the contest proved the game winner. The team with the best kicker in Hico will have a significant advantage. Strawn’s JW Montgomery’s right hand will be of much discussion before this game. Broken several weeks ago and in a short cast that took away his throwing ability against Gordon the first time, if it is off and he is able to add the passing dynamic to the Greyhounds’ offensive threat that could be the game changer. In 2008 Gordon defeated Strawn for the district title and then they met again in the quarter-finals. In that game Strawn held a one-point lead at the half and pulled away in the second half to win by 31 avenging their district loss. I expect this year’s rematch to follow a similar pattern, a tight first half with the two time defending champs getting the breaks in the second half to win.
Players to Watch: Strawn - JW Montgomery, Gordon - Brandon Mahan
Saturday’s Tweetable Headline: Strawn’s Sweet Revenge! Greyhounds Sprint Past Longhorns to the Semis
Pick: Strawn by 16
Region 4
Richland Springs (10-0) v Oakwood (8-4) – Friday 7 Hico, TX
In what over time has become a six-man football playoff tradition and rivalry of itself, Richland Springs survives a close one with Calvert 34-29 in Hico. Oakwood flew comfortably past Blanket 60-20 in their area round match-up last week. This sets up a rematch of last year’s regional championship in which Panthers squeaked by Coyotes 66-56. Both teams return many starters who featured big in that game. Oakwood’s Key Davis is one of the fastest players in 1A and complimented by Jerimiah Sargent and Garett Bean. Richland Springs has the Rigdon brothers Matthew and Griffin, and the Coyotes added QB Landon Burkhart to their roster this year by hiring back Jerry Burkhart as head coach. The win last year will undoubtedly make things harder for the Coyotes as the Panthers will have some confidence going into the game and the pressure will be on Richland Springs to not have a repeat performance. Oakwood’s Davis will probably be the best offensive play-maker on the field, but coach Tritz is going to have to have a big game from his defense if he expects to knock off the Coyotes again. Extra points will be a factor in this game as both teams have had their struggles with the kicking game this season, but it will come down to who can stop the big plays with their defense when the time comes. I think Lane Shannon and Wade Appleton might end up being the unsung heroes in this game coming up big in big spots for the Coyotes’ defense. It’s going to be a great game to watch and I’m thinking Richland Springs avenges their 2018 loss.
Players to Watch: Richland Springs – Matthew Rigdon, Lane Shannon; Oakwood – Key Davis, Jerimiah Sargent
Saturday’s Tweetable Headline: Keying of Key is key to Coyote victory.
Pick: Richland Springs by 10
DIVISION I
Region 1
McLean (11-1) v White Deer (10-2) – Friday 6pm Borger
Last week White Deer turned it on in the second half to defeat Ira 80-50 and McLean walloped a sound Spur team 54-8 to set up this district championship rematch. In the district title game on a snow covered field in White Deer, TX McLean, behind all-state back Ben Crockett, pounded the run game all night and dominated the home town team 66-22. This time around I seriously doubt it will be that easy for Crockett and his crew of Tigers. White Deer seems to be at full force and their second half domination of Ira should make even the stark Tiger fan wiry. If White Deer can get their passing game going McLean might have some trouble keeping up with their receiving core, but the best player on the field belongs to McLean in Ben Crockett his powerful running attack and great defensive skills at linebacker should power the Tigers past the Bucks again.
Players to Watch: McLean – Ben Crockett; White Deer – Graysen Freeman, Mason Mooney
Saturday’s Tweetable Headline: Crockett & Company Exceed Their Limit on White Deer
Pick: McLean by 16
Region 2
Borden County (12-0) v Rankin (11-1) – Sat 4pm Robert Lee
The big game with week was Borden County vs Balmorhea and the Coyotes mauled the bears 72-24. Rankin had a big second half to 45 a pesky Ropes team 76-30. Region 2 has been a gauntlet and the cream has risen to the top. Borden County has quietly been rolling along this season and are the only D1 team undefeated sitting at 12-0. Their bend don’t break defense is one of the best in 1a and their offense does a good job at keeping defenses guessing with a balanced run/pass attack. The Rankin Red Devils score a ton of points, but their defense can allow some points as well. This game should come down to what gives between the Coyote defense and the Red Devil offense. Rankin has several offensive weapons at their disposal namely De’shon Goodley and Titan Quigg. They can put up some points averaging almost 65 per game. Borden County proved they can light up the scoreboard last week by dropping 72 on a tough Balmorhea defense. To me this game comes down to defense and I think hands down the Coyotes have one of the best defenses in the state and that has help mold them into the six-man dynasty that they are. I expect a tight game for the first half with Borden County making defensive stops in the second half enabling them to pull away late.
Players to Watch: Borden County – Cam Edwards, Tommy Kingston; Rankin – De’Shon Goodley, Titan Quigg
Saturday’s Tweetable Headline: Coyotes Howl Scares off the Red Devils.
Pick: Borden Co by 20
Region 3
Blum (10-2) v Saint Jo (11-1) – Friday 7pm Springtown
Maybe the upset of the week goes to Saint Jo as they defeat Avalon 52-22. Blum slugged it out with Union Hill in low scoring affair and won out 36-16. Both teams have been flying under the radar and this should be a fun game to watch. Blum’s the six-man blue blood as they are expected to be a playoff team with potential for a run every season. Saint Jo is the upstart, they had great success once moving to six-man in 2008 with three straight playoff appearances, but their quarter-final appearance this year is the farthest they have advanced since making the switch. Blum seems the odds on favorite in this match-up, but Saint Jo already upset Avalon and could have another one or two left in them. This is the one of the hardest games to prognosticate! Both are not afraid to air the ball out so the outcome will depend on who has the better receiving core, pass defense and can counter with a solid ground attack. I think the Bobcats have all those edges of the Panthers so I will go with Blum… but won’t be surprised if I’m wrong here.
Players to Watch: Blum – Dylan Vardman; Saint Jo – Logan Brawner, Eli Jones
Saturday’s Tweetable Headline: Blum Bounces Saint Jo from the Playoffs
Pick: Blum by 4
Region 4
Jonesboro (11-1) v Nueces Canyon (10-2) – Friday 6pm Fredericksburg
This was the most hotly contested region last week. In a back and forth game Jonesboro made the plays late to defeat Eden 46-36. Nueces Canyon squeaked past playoff perineal May 66-62. This will be a very exciting matchup between a six-man powerhouse in Jonesboro, who has played for two state titles this decade, and a six-man new comer in Nueces Canyon who are in their fourth season since electing to play six-man football. Nueces Canyon is the faster team and Jonesboro is the more powerful team. Can the Eagles slow down the Panthers offense will be the key question. I think this is a game were playoff experience and pedigree will play a deciding factor. Jonesboro knows what it is like to practice and play on the long Thanksgiving weekend which can be tricky and a bit of a distraction to the players, it is a little talked about factor, but one that may show up in this game. Still in pickem games, which I feel this one is, I like going with the more successful program and Eddie Gallegos has one of the best established programs over at Jonesboro.
Players to Watch: Jonesboro – Ian Shoaf, Sean Hernandez; Nueces Canyon – Victor Contreras, Jordan Short
Saturday’s Tweetable Headline: Eagles Sore Over Nueces Canyon
Pick: Jonesboro by 10
DIVISION II
Region I
Motley County (10-2) v Groom (9-3) – Friday 7pm Nazareth
Motley County handled Anton easily 60-13 and Groom made quick work of Whitharral 54-8. These two teams squared off in the first round of the playoffs last year and Motley County edged the Tigers 72-56. Both teams graduated some key players off their 2018 squads, but Motley County seems to have returned a stronger core of young players when compared to Groom. However, the Tigers have rolled in the playoffs and easily defeated Whitharral via the mercy rule in a game many thought would be a tight contest last week. There is a lot of things very similar when comparing these two teams; both played some tough teams pre-district, both have great playoff traditions, both have solid offensive attacks scoring a lot of points (MC 66.83 ppg, Groom 56.67 ppg) and both defenses are prone to giving up a lot of points (MC 35.5 ppg, Groom 24.17 ppg). Personally, I love the offensive scheming that coach Bigham brings to the table and how he has his Matadors looking like a well-oiled machine by the time the playoffs come around every year. I think his play-makers in Demitric Sims and Kade Wampler will be tough for coach Dodson and the Tigers to counter. It will likely be a high scoring game, and I’m taking Motley County in this one.
Players to Watch: Motley Co – Demitric Sims, Kade Wampler; Groom: Cade Linquist, Braedon Williams
Staurday’s Tweetable Headline: Crew of motley Matadors grooms the Tigers
Pick: Motley County by 20
Region 2
Jayton (12-0) v Blackwell (12-0) – Friday 6:30 Gail, TX
The #1 vs #2 team in the state squared in last week in the area round and Jayton capitalized off Grandfalls-Royalty turnovers and came up with a few big defensive stop in the second half to pull away and win comfortably 72-32. Blackwell moved to 12-0 for the first time in school history as they defeated Throckmorton 46-0 in a game that ended at the half. Last year these two teams faced off in the area round of the playoffs and the heavily favored Blackwell Hornets were beaten soundly by the Jayton Jaybirds 68-18 thanks to a Jaybird scoring frenzy in the second half. While both squads fielding roughly the same team this time around it is easy to see how #1 Jayton is the obvious favorite. However, those Hornets have been stewing on that defeat for over a year now and are out for revenge. That hunger will only get you so far. Jayton has one of the best RB’s in 1A in Tye Scogin (69-936, 20 TDs rushing) and a potent passer in Aaron Hernandez (36-57, 914, 21 TDs passing) to balance their very dangerous offensive attack. That one-two offensive combo has help the Jaybirds win 10 of their 12 games via the mercy rule. Blackwell has its own one-two combo offensive attack in RB Cameron Coldiron (1,025 yards, 24 TDs rushing) and Michael Lowry (1,493 yards, 33 TDs passing). Blackwell has played four full games this season compared to Jayton’s two, so conditioning may be a factor in the second half of play, but everything has to go right for the Hornets to pull the upset, and Jayton has been the AP #1 all season for a reason. I think Jayton does just enough late to counter a near upset by Blackwell.
Players to Watch: Jayton – Tye Scogin, Aaron Hernandez, Evan Cheyne;
Blackwell – Cameron Coldiron, Joel Guia, Nathaniel Shipman
Saturday’s Tweetable Headline: Jaybirds Remedy a Mighty Hornet Sting to Win
Pick: Jayton by 6
Region 3
Gordon (11-1) v Strawn (8-4) – Thursday 7pm Hico, TX
In a pair of Thursday games last week both Strawn and Gordon won handily; Strawn 62-14 over Cranfills Gap and Gordon 52-6 over Cinderella team, Bynum. This sets up a rematch in one of the most hotly contested rivalries in the state of Texas for the region title. Gordon defeated Strawn for the district laurels in week 11 at home by a single point 27-26. Both teams were expecting to meet again for the region three title, and here they are. This time around two factors will be paramount; making adjustments and making extra points. No doubt both wily state champion sporting coaches, Dewaine Lee for Strawn and Mike Reed for Gordon, will have made adjustments and changes to their schemes since the previous meeting. The team with the best implementation, execution, and adjustments in game will have a big advantage this second time around. However, probably the most important aspect will be which team can convert their extra points. Both had obvious trouble in the district title game and Gordon’s one-point conversion on the last score of the contest proved the game winner. The team with the best kicker in Hico will have a significant advantage. Strawn’s JW Montgomery’s right hand will be of much discussion before this game. Broken several weeks ago and in a short cast that took away his throwing ability against Gordon the first time, if it is off and he is able to add the passing dynamic to the Greyhounds’ offensive threat that could be the game changer. In 2008 Gordon defeated Strawn for the district title and then they met again in the quarter-finals. In that game Strawn held a one-point lead at the half and pulled away in the second half to win by 31 avenging their district loss. I expect this year’s rematch to follow a similar pattern, a tight first half with the two time defending champs getting the breaks in the second half to win.
Players to Watch: Strawn - JW Montgomery, Gordon - Brandon Mahan
Saturday’s Tweetable Headline: Strawn’s Sweet Revenge! Greyhounds Sprint Past Longhorns to the Semis
Pick: Strawn by 16
Region 4
Richland Springs (10-0) v Oakwood (8-4) – Friday 7 Hico, TX
In what over time has become a six-man football playoff tradition and rivalry of itself, Richland Springs survives a close one with Calvert 34-29 in Hico. Oakwood flew comfortably past Blanket 60-20 in their area round match-up last week. This sets up a rematch of last year’s regional championship in which Panthers squeaked by Coyotes 66-56. Both teams return many starters who featured big in that game. Oakwood’s Key Davis is one of the fastest players in 1A and complimented by Jerimiah Sargent and Garett Bean. Richland Springs has the Rigdon brothers Matthew and Griffin, and the Coyotes added QB Landon Burkhart to their roster this year by hiring back Jerry Burkhart as head coach. The win last year will undoubtedly make things harder for the Coyotes as the Panthers will have some confidence going into the game and the pressure will be on Richland Springs to not have a repeat performance. Oakwood’s Davis will probably be the best offensive play-maker on the field, but coach Tritz is going to have to have a big game from his defense if he expects to knock off the Coyotes again. Extra points will be a factor in this game as both teams have had their struggles with the kicking game this season, but it will come down to who can stop the big plays with their defense when the time comes. I think Lane Shannon and Wade Appleton might end up being the unsung heroes in this game coming up big in big spots for the Coyotes’ defense. It’s going to be a great game to watch and I’m thinking Richland Springs avenges their 2018 loss.
Players to Watch: Richland Springs – Matthew Rigdon, Lane Shannon; Oakwood – Key Davis, Jerimiah Sargent
Saturday’s Tweetable Headline: Keying of Key is key to Coyote victory.
Pick: Richland Springs by 10
DIVISION I
Region 1
McLean (11-1) v White Deer (10-2) – Friday 6pm Borger
Last week White Deer turned it on in the second half to defeat Ira 80-50 and McLean walloped a sound Spur team 54-8 to set up this district championship rematch. In the district title game on a snow covered field in White Deer, TX McLean, behind all-state back Ben Crockett, pounded the run game all night and dominated the home town team 66-22. This time around I seriously doubt it will be that easy for Crockett and his crew of Tigers. White Deer seems to be at full force and their second half domination of Ira should make even the stark Tiger fan wiry. If White Deer can get their passing game going McLean might have some trouble keeping up with their receiving core, but the best player on the field belongs to McLean in Ben Crockett his powerful running attack and great defensive skills at linebacker should power the Tigers past the Bucks again.
Players to Watch: McLean – Ben Crockett; White Deer – Graysen Freeman, Mason Mooney
Saturday’s Tweetable Headline: Crockett & Company Exceed Their Limit on White Deer
Pick: McLean by 16
Region 2
Borden County (12-0) v Rankin (11-1) – Sat 4pm Robert Lee
The big game with week was Borden County vs Balmorhea and the Coyotes mauled the bears 72-24. Rankin had a big second half to 45 a pesky Ropes team 76-30. Region 2 has been a gauntlet and the cream has risen to the top. Borden County has quietly been rolling along this season and are the only D1 team undefeated sitting at 12-0. Their bend don’t break defense is one of the best in 1a and their offense does a good job at keeping defenses guessing with a balanced run/pass attack. The Rankin Red Devils score a ton of points, but their defense can allow some points as well. This game should come down to what gives between the Coyote defense and the Red Devil offense. Rankin has several offensive weapons at their disposal namely De’shon Goodley and Titan Quigg. They can put up some points averaging almost 65 per game. Borden County proved they can light up the scoreboard last week by dropping 72 on a tough Balmorhea defense. To me this game comes down to defense and I think hands down the Coyotes have one of the best defenses in the state and that has help mold them into the six-man dynasty that they are. I expect a tight game for the first half with Borden County making defensive stops in the second half enabling them to pull away late.
Players to Watch: Borden County – Cam Edwards, Tommy Kingston; Rankin – De’Shon Goodley, Titan Quigg
Saturday’s Tweetable Headline: Coyotes Howl Scares off the Red Devils.
Pick: Borden Co by 20
Region 3
Blum (10-2) v Saint Jo (11-1) – Friday 7pm Springtown
Maybe the upset of the week goes to Saint Jo as they defeat Avalon 52-22. Blum slugged it out with Union Hill in low scoring affair and won out 36-16. Both teams have been flying under the radar and this should be a fun game to watch. Blum’s the six-man blue blood as they are expected to be a playoff team with potential for a run every season. Saint Jo is the upstart, they had great success once moving to six-man in 2008 with three straight playoff appearances, but their quarter-final appearance this year is the farthest they have advanced since making the switch. Blum seems the odds on favorite in this match-up, but Saint Jo already upset Avalon and could have another one or two left in them. This is the one of the hardest games to prognosticate! Both are not afraid to air the ball out so the outcome will depend on who has the better receiving core, pass defense and can counter with a solid ground attack. I think the Bobcats have all those edges of the Panthers so I will go with Blum… but won’t be surprised if I’m wrong here.
Players to Watch: Blum – Dylan Vardman; Saint Jo – Logan Brawner, Eli Jones
Saturday’s Tweetable Headline: Blum Bounces Saint Jo from the Playoffs
Pick: Blum by 4
Region 4
Jonesboro (11-1) v Nueces Canyon (10-2) – Friday 6pm Fredericksburg
This was the most hotly contested region last week. In a back and forth game Jonesboro made the plays late to defeat Eden 46-36. Nueces Canyon squeaked past playoff perineal May 66-62. This will be a very exciting matchup between a six-man powerhouse in Jonesboro, who has played for two state titles this decade, and a six-man new comer in Nueces Canyon who are in their fourth season since electing to play six-man football. Nueces Canyon is the faster team and Jonesboro is the more powerful team. Can the Eagles slow down the Panthers offense will be the key question. I think this is a game were playoff experience and pedigree will play a deciding factor. Jonesboro knows what it is like to practice and play on the long Thanksgiving weekend which can be tricky and a bit of a distraction to the players, it is a little talked about factor, but one that may show up in this game. Still in pickem games, which I feel this one is, I like going with the more successful program and Eddie Gallegos has one of the best established programs over at Jonesboro.
Players to Watch: Jonesboro – Ian Shoaf, Sean Hernandez; Nueces Canyon – Victor Contreras, Jordan Short
Saturday’s Tweetable Headline: Eagles Sore Over Nueces Canyon
Pick: Jonesboro by 10
2019 Bi-District Preview!
For the record, I hate picking games and always have. I could care less who wins any given game on any given night as all I want and wish for is a great game; one someone can brag about seeing or playing in 20 years later. However, the people love picks and predictions so here are some, for better or for worse, as we enter into the first week of the playoffs.
D1 Region 2 is just going to be a blood bath this year…I mean it usually is anyway, but this year there is more parity than ever it seems. The only match-up in this region that isn’t a rematch from earlier in the season is Borden County vs Morton, and that seems to be the only game that is easy to predict (with all due respect to Morton) …BC should win comfortably.
Now the rest:
Ropes v O’Donnell – First game was in week 3 when the Ropes Eagles narrowly defeated the O’Donnell Screamin’ Eagles 44-32. I like what O’Donnell has done this year as they are 5-4 and have played some tough opponents and are coming off their best win of the season for their districts runner-up spot over Klondike 64-36. Ropes is in their last season of 6man for the foreseeable future, if not ever, as with their 130+ students in high school will march on up into 2A next season. It’s been about six weeks since Ropes faced a quality opponent and seven weeks since they played a full game. Add to it a forfeit giving them a bye week last week and it is safe to say Ropes may be a little rusty. Players to watch for Ropes: Ryan Terry, Jaden Clabaugh, and Slade Airhart. For O’Donnell: Blaze Garces and Caleb Lowe. I think the Screamin’ Eagles will give the regular Eagles an ear full, but ultimately this game ends pretty close to the same way the first one did. Ropes 52 O’Donnell 44
Balmorhea v Garden City – First game was week 3 as the Bears rolled over the Bearkats 68-22. What can be dubbed The Battle for Bear Supremacy or The Coach Jones Showdown I think this time around it will be a much closer contest. Both have played tough schedules. The main difference is Garden City is coming into the game off a big upset win over ranked Sterling City and Balmorhea is coming in after suffering an upset defeat at the hands of highly ranked Rankin. Both teams are well coached, that’s without question. Both teams have some of the hardest working and toughest kids out there playing every down, that is also without question. For me the question is how will last week effect this week for both teams? Subsequently whose pair of aces will trump the others? Will it be Balmorhea Vance Jones’ Aaron Mendoza and Kade Weatherman, or will it be Garden City Jeff Jones’ Hunter McMillan and Cirildo Mier? I fully expect a better game this time around, but I’m sticking with the same outcome as the first with the Bears victorious. Balmorhea 56 Garden City 40.
Rankin v Sterling City – First game was week 6 when Sterling City held on to defeat Rankin 74-66. Can Sterling City rebound after a loss to rival Garden City and can Rankin keep their momentum rolling after knocking off Balmorhea to claim their district’s laurels? The Red Devils are hot, and coach Avalos has the talent to take them deep into the playoffs; Benjamin Rios, De’Shon Goodley, Titan Quigg, Braxxton Kirkland… pick your poison! Coach Sisco’s Eagles are no slouch team either with the pass and catch combo of Cross Knittel and Isaiah Arellano leading their offensive attack and Quinton McMullan making a name for himself as well this season on both sides of the ball. This one I think will have a different outcome the second time around as I like the energy Rankin is bringing into the playoffs. Rankin 62 Sterling City 48
Out East there are some good matchups as well, but one game really has my attention…
Union Hill v Milford - This battle of the Blue Bulldogs right off the bat in region 3 is one of the most interesting matchups this week and is probably going to get overlooked by many with the big matchups out West in Region 2. Milford was seemingly stacked this year with big play makers returning from a state finalist team, has suffered a few setbacks with losing key players throughout the season but still making it through a very tough schedule. Union Hill graduated a ton of starters off last year’s team and has a new head coach so they have been a bit of a question mark coming into 2019, but have made the most of a seemingly weak schedule entering the playoffs at 9-1. The question is can Milford's defense make key stops when called upon. Milford is giving up almost 41 points a game and couldn't stop Avalon from making a comeback when they were down 46-31 at halftime in last week’s district title game. I expect a high scoring game and believe Milford's playmakers Damyan Woodward and Tyvon gates will help lead the Dawgs to victory. Milford 60 Union Hill 54
In Division 2 we see what looks like what will end up being mostly lopsided games in the first round; however, there is one game I have my eye on.
Loop v Anton – Both teams have flown under the radar this season, but maybe no team has so much as Loop. The Longhorns are 9-1 which is their best record since entering the playoffs at 8-2 in 2010. Their nine wins appears to be a new school record as well. A big turnaround from their 1-8 showing in 2018. Coach Bear Chesley has done a great job at spreading the ball around as two of his running backs are looking to eclipse the 1,000 rushing yard mark this week in Michael Tristian and Darien Garcia and Zeke Martinez also eating up some yards on the ground as well with all three looking to break 1,000 yards of total offense. Anton under new head coach Matthew Hoover has put together a solid season, after starting the year 0-3, losing two games to highly rated programs Jayton and Happy, they have bounced back and sitting at 6-4. The Bulldogs narrowly missed winning their district title falling by four to Whitharral two weeks ago. Anton will call upon the handy work of Quinton Sherrod, Sergio Champion and Joeseph Servantes to combat Loop's trio. I think undoubtedly Anton has had the tougher schedule and that should help them as they square off with the Longhorns who are looking to be this year’s Cinderella team. I’m going to stick with the favorite in this game, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Loop pulls off the upset. Anton 40 Loop 30
Tweetable Picks:
-Spur & Knox City will put up a lot of offensive yardage & it will be a fun game to watch, too bad one team has to start basketball on Monday, I’m betting it will be KC picking up the round balls.
-I don’t know very much about these two teams this year. Both are coming off big wins but I think Saint Jo has the mo & will win fo sho (that’s just awful but there it is).
-Leakey survives a scrappy Jonesboro, Gorman edges Eden, Nueces Canyon blows past Zephyr, May routs Robert Lee to round out Region 4.
-Look for Lueders to knock off Throckmorton, both teams give up a lot of points so this game is probably going to be a high scoring affair and light up the score board in Baird Thursday night.
-Blackwell got a scare from Loraine last week and if they aren’t careful Sanderson will give them another this week, but I’m sticking with the Hornets as they stay undefeated on the season.
-Bynum & Cranfills Gap continue their great seasons and advance on to face their toughest opponents yet as Gordon & Strawn move one step closer to an epic rematch.
-D2 Region 4 is all chalk as Oakwood, Blanket, Richland Springs, & Calvert win easily, but the next round of games here should be fun!
For the record, I hate picking games and always have. I could care less who wins any given game on any given night as all I want and wish for is a great game; one someone can brag about seeing or playing in 20 years later. However, the people love picks and predictions so here are some, for better or for worse, as we enter into the first week of the playoffs.
D1 Region 2 is just going to be a blood bath this year…I mean it usually is anyway, but this year there is more parity than ever it seems. The only match-up in this region that isn’t a rematch from earlier in the season is Borden County vs Morton, and that seems to be the only game that is easy to predict (with all due respect to Morton) …BC should win comfortably.
Now the rest:
Ropes v O’Donnell – First game was in week 3 when the Ropes Eagles narrowly defeated the O’Donnell Screamin’ Eagles 44-32. I like what O’Donnell has done this year as they are 5-4 and have played some tough opponents and are coming off their best win of the season for their districts runner-up spot over Klondike 64-36. Ropes is in their last season of 6man for the foreseeable future, if not ever, as with their 130+ students in high school will march on up into 2A next season. It’s been about six weeks since Ropes faced a quality opponent and seven weeks since they played a full game. Add to it a forfeit giving them a bye week last week and it is safe to say Ropes may be a little rusty. Players to watch for Ropes: Ryan Terry, Jaden Clabaugh, and Slade Airhart. For O’Donnell: Blaze Garces and Caleb Lowe. I think the Screamin’ Eagles will give the regular Eagles an ear full, but ultimately this game ends pretty close to the same way the first one did. Ropes 52 O’Donnell 44
Balmorhea v Garden City – First game was week 3 as the Bears rolled over the Bearkats 68-22. What can be dubbed The Battle for Bear Supremacy or The Coach Jones Showdown I think this time around it will be a much closer contest. Both have played tough schedules. The main difference is Garden City is coming into the game off a big upset win over ranked Sterling City and Balmorhea is coming in after suffering an upset defeat at the hands of highly ranked Rankin. Both teams are well coached, that’s without question. Both teams have some of the hardest working and toughest kids out there playing every down, that is also without question. For me the question is how will last week effect this week for both teams? Subsequently whose pair of aces will trump the others? Will it be Balmorhea Vance Jones’ Aaron Mendoza and Kade Weatherman, or will it be Garden City Jeff Jones’ Hunter McMillan and Cirildo Mier? I fully expect a better game this time around, but I’m sticking with the same outcome as the first with the Bears victorious. Balmorhea 56 Garden City 40.
Rankin v Sterling City – First game was week 6 when Sterling City held on to defeat Rankin 74-66. Can Sterling City rebound after a loss to rival Garden City and can Rankin keep their momentum rolling after knocking off Balmorhea to claim their district’s laurels? The Red Devils are hot, and coach Avalos has the talent to take them deep into the playoffs; Benjamin Rios, De’Shon Goodley, Titan Quigg, Braxxton Kirkland… pick your poison! Coach Sisco’s Eagles are no slouch team either with the pass and catch combo of Cross Knittel and Isaiah Arellano leading their offensive attack and Quinton McMullan making a name for himself as well this season on both sides of the ball. This one I think will have a different outcome the second time around as I like the energy Rankin is bringing into the playoffs. Rankin 62 Sterling City 48
Out East there are some good matchups as well, but one game really has my attention…
Union Hill v Milford - This battle of the Blue Bulldogs right off the bat in region 3 is one of the most interesting matchups this week and is probably going to get overlooked by many with the big matchups out West in Region 2. Milford was seemingly stacked this year with big play makers returning from a state finalist team, has suffered a few setbacks with losing key players throughout the season but still making it through a very tough schedule. Union Hill graduated a ton of starters off last year’s team and has a new head coach so they have been a bit of a question mark coming into 2019, but have made the most of a seemingly weak schedule entering the playoffs at 9-1. The question is can Milford's defense make key stops when called upon. Milford is giving up almost 41 points a game and couldn't stop Avalon from making a comeback when they were down 46-31 at halftime in last week’s district title game. I expect a high scoring game and believe Milford's playmakers Damyan Woodward and Tyvon gates will help lead the Dawgs to victory. Milford 60 Union Hill 54
In Division 2 we see what looks like what will end up being mostly lopsided games in the first round; however, there is one game I have my eye on.
Loop v Anton – Both teams have flown under the radar this season, but maybe no team has so much as Loop. The Longhorns are 9-1 which is their best record since entering the playoffs at 8-2 in 2010. Their nine wins appears to be a new school record as well. A big turnaround from their 1-8 showing in 2018. Coach Bear Chesley has done a great job at spreading the ball around as two of his running backs are looking to eclipse the 1,000 rushing yard mark this week in Michael Tristian and Darien Garcia and Zeke Martinez also eating up some yards on the ground as well with all three looking to break 1,000 yards of total offense. Anton under new head coach Matthew Hoover has put together a solid season, after starting the year 0-3, losing two games to highly rated programs Jayton and Happy, they have bounced back and sitting at 6-4. The Bulldogs narrowly missed winning their district title falling by four to Whitharral two weeks ago. Anton will call upon the handy work of Quinton Sherrod, Sergio Champion and Joeseph Servantes to combat Loop's trio. I think undoubtedly Anton has had the tougher schedule and that should help them as they square off with the Longhorns who are looking to be this year’s Cinderella team. I’m going to stick with the favorite in this game, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Loop pulls off the upset. Anton 40 Loop 30
Tweetable Picks:
-Spur & Knox City will put up a lot of offensive yardage & it will be a fun game to watch, too bad one team has to start basketball on Monday, I’m betting it will be KC picking up the round balls.
-I don’t know very much about these two teams this year. Both are coming off big wins but I think Saint Jo has the mo & will win fo sho (that’s just awful but there it is).
-Leakey survives a scrappy Jonesboro, Gorman edges Eden, Nueces Canyon blows past Zephyr, May routs Robert Lee to round out Region 4.
-Look for Lueders to knock off Throckmorton, both teams give up a lot of points so this game is probably going to be a high scoring affair and light up the score board in Baird Thursday night.
-Blackwell got a scare from Loraine last week and if they aren’t careful Sanderson will give them another this week, but I’m sticking with the Hornets as they stay undefeated on the season.
-Bynum & Cranfills Gap continue their great seasons and advance on to face their toughest opponents yet as Gordon & Strawn move one step closer to an epic rematch.
-D2 Region 4 is all chalk as Oakwood, Blanket, Richland Springs, & Calvert win easily, but the next round of games here should be fun!
Built Ford Tough?
Every week during football season here in Texas Ford and Fox Sports team up to give out a weekly award for the Player of the Week in every UIL football classification. Well that is except one...you guessed it...1A.
Here is a recent article in the Mineral Wells Index by Russell Huffman trying to shine some light on this: Mineral Wells Index Article
This is not a new issue. Many have tried in vain to get 1A included in this weekly award. I started trying to push for 1A inclusion feverishly in 2017 only to have it fall upon deaf ears.
Ford has an advisory board made up of Texas Sports Writers that make "nominations" for this weekly award. I did obtain a list of this board back in 2017 and sent out emails to these writers asking why 1A was excluded and if they could push for 1A to be included. I only received one response back from a writer that is located in an area of the state with very little six-man teams. He nicely passed the buck back on to Ford.
*I will note that one of the main advisors was a writer from the Abilene area, who's coverage area has more 1A schools than any other single classification, and he did not bother to reply.
Simply put, if they wanted to have a 1A player they could have one. There is no logical argument for excluding this one UIL classification. You can't argue that the schools are so rural it is hard to get information to make a selection, because there is no real difference in that regard from 1A and 2A schools. If you try to argue that Ford doesn’t want to spend the extra money on another award, well then why do they waste the money sending their print material to these 1A schools?
“I’ve been saying there is a problem with this award for a long time. Actually threw away the poster they sent to the school. Ford has made it clear 6-man kids aren't worthy of their award.” - John Cherry, HC at Rochelle
“I always got their posters and it went straight to the trash bin.” - Sean Lewis, former 6-man head coach
Putting that hypocrisy aside, if you still tried to argue it’s a money issue, that still doesn’t address the fact that they skipped over one UIL classification to instead give out a private school one. So why then single out this one UIL classification and ignore it?
I was left with the feeling that the advisory board has no interest in taking on the extra work involved in picking a 1A player of the week and it is mostly due to the fact that it is 6-man and not 11-man. What else are we left to think? It boils down to two things: Laziness and what I term as 11-man prejudice.
It is important to point out Fox Sports is the least to fault here, after all they essentially just announce the awards every week. In fact, Fox Sports has done its fair share of heavy lifting in making strides the past few years to treat 6-man and 1A like all other classifications. Thanks in part to organizations like the UIL, Texas Six-Man Coaches Association, Dave Campbell’s, and individuals such as Craig Way, Granger Huntress, and Greg Tepper, Fox Sports does a great job of talking about 1A games and schools on their Friday night show and last year for the first time re-aired the 1A state championship games on television with hopes of airing those games live in the near future if the financial logistics can be worked out. Ultimately this injustice can only be laid at the feet of the Built Ford Tough team and advisory board.
It could be argued that the toughest players on Friday nights are those in the smallest of schools who are playing both sides of the ball, as well as filling roles on special teams, playing virtually every single second of game time. The added irony to all this is that those same kids then will get up early on Saturday to work on rural Texas farms and ranches probably driving a Ford pickup truck.
I'm happy to know in these small schools and communities this has never gone unnoticed, thanks in large part to the hard working sports writers and reporters who DO take the extra time to cover and recognize little ol’ class 1A and 6-man football. Ford and their Built Ford Tough advisory board should be ashamed that they willingly choose not to recognize these rural and small town Texas Friday night heroes. THEY are the ones who aren't tough enough.
Every week during football season here in Texas Ford and Fox Sports team up to give out a weekly award for the Player of the Week in every UIL football classification. Well that is except one...you guessed it...1A.
Here is a recent article in the Mineral Wells Index by Russell Huffman trying to shine some light on this: Mineral Wells Index Article
This is not a new issue. Many have tried in vain to get 1A included in this weekly award. I started trying to push for 1A inclusion feverishly in 2017 only to have it fall upon deaf ears.
Ford has an advisory board made up of Texas Sports Writers that make "nominations" for this weekly award. I did obtain a list of this board back in 2017 and sent out emails to these writers asking why 1A was excluded and if they could push for 1A to be included. I only received one response back from a writer that is located in an area of the state with very little six-man teams. He nicely passed the buck back on to Ford.
*I will note that one of the main advisors was a writer from the Abilene area, who's coverage area has more 1A schools than any other single classification, and he did not bother to reply.
Simply put, if they wanted to have a 1A player they could have one. There is no logical argument for excluding this one UIL classification. You can't argue that the schools are so rural it is hard to get information to make a selection, because there is no real difference in that regard from 1A and 2A schools. If you try to argue that Ford doesn’t want to spend the extra money on another award, well then why do they waste the money sending their print material to these 1A schools?
“I’ve been saying there is a problem with this award for a long time. Actually threw away the poster they sent to the school. Ford has made it clear 6-man kids aren't worthy of their award.” - John Cherry, HC at Rochelle
“I always got their posters and it went straight to the trash bin.” - Sean Lewis, former 6-man head coach
Putting that hypocrisy aside, if you still tried to argue it’s a money issue, that still doesn’t address the fact that they skipped over one UIL classification to instead give out a private school one. So why then single out this one UIL classification and ignore it?
I was left with the feeling that the advisory board has no interest in taking on the extra work involved in picking a 1A player of the week and it is mostly due to the fact that it is 6-man and not 11-man. What else are we left to think? It boils down to two things: Laziness and what I term as 11-man prejudice.
It is important to point out Fox Sports is the least to fault here, after all they essentially just announce the awards every week. In fact, Fox Sports has done its fair share of heavy lifting in making strides the past few years to treat 6-man and 1A like all other classifications. Thanks in part to organizations like the UIL, Texas Six-Man Coaches Association, Dave Campbell’s, and individuals such as Craig Way, Granger Huntress, and Greg Tepper, Fox Sports does a great job of talking about 1A games and schools on their Friday night show and last year for the first time re-aired the 1A state championship games on television with hopes of airing those games live in the near future if the financial logistics can be worked out. Ultimately this injustice can only be laid at the feet of the Built Ford Tough team and advisory board.
It could be argued that the toughest players on Friday nights are those in the smallest of schools who are playing both sides of the ball, as well as filling roles on special teams, playing virtually every single second of game time. The added irony to all this is that those same kids then will get up early on Saturday to work on rural Texas farms and ranches probably driving a Ford pickup truck.
I'm happy to know in these small schools and communities this has never gone unnoticed, thanks in large part to the hard working sports writers and reporters who DO take the extra time to cover and recognize little ol’ class 1A and 6-man football. Ford and their Built Ford Tough advisory board should be ashamed that they willingly choose not to recognize these rural and small town Texas Friday night heroes. THEY are the ones who aren't tough enough.