The high school football season has rapidly reached its midway point of the 2019 season.
Five teams remain undefeated in the Texas Panhandle. Fans have seen great games, fantastic performances, but now for most schools it’s time for their respective districts to get underway.
Here’s five storylines so far through the halfway point of the year in the Texas Panhandle.
Canadian’s Hayze Hufstedler breaks away for a touchdown against Grapevine Faith on Saturday. [Michael Kerrigan/ Press Pass Sports]
1. FIVE STILL ALIVE
Canyon, Dumas, Bushland, Canadian and Friona are the five teams remaining unbeaten in the Amarillo-area. The five teams are a combined 25-0 so far this season. Canadian is the highest ranked team among the undefeated, ranked No. 2 in Class 3A Division II.
Canyon’s Aidan Hildinger (22) has ran for 609 yards with nine touchdowns this year. [Mackenzie Teal/ Press Pass Sports]
2. HOW GOOD IS DISTRICT 3-4A DIVISION I
It’s a statement that’s been made since this district was formed after realignment last year, but how good is District 3-4A DI. Canyon, Dumas, Hereford and Pampa went a combined 4-0 Friday night, outscoring its opponents 179-70. Combined, these four teams are 17-3 overall this season.
Friona is off to its second 5-0 start in the last three years. [Ruben Flores/ For Press Pass Sports]
3. SURPRISE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Not a lot of folks outside of Friona saw the Chieftains standing tall at 5-0 after their nondistrict schedule. But through the first give games coach Jimmy Arias’ team is getting it done with physical play and a sound offense. Through the first five wins, which includes a thrilling 39-35 win against Dalhart at home Friday. Through those five victories, the Chieftains offense is averaging 53.6 points a game.
Tascosa quarterback Joseph Plunk leads the Texas Panhandle with 816 yards rushing this year. [John Moore/ Press Pass Sports]
4. PLAYER OF THE YEAR
At the halfway point of the year there have been many outstanding performances, but not many players lead their team like Tascosa quarterback Joseph Plunk. The lightning quick, shifty senior has his father, Ken’s, offense down to a T. Plunk is the valuable to his team and it shows, leading the Texas Panhandle in rushing with 836 yards, adding 12 touchdowns.
Panhandle is off to a 4-1 start this season. [Mackenzie Teal/ Press Pass Sports]
5. WHAT’S TO COME
The exciting district season awaits over the next six weeks. It will be interesting to see how these districts play and who is pretenders and contenders.
Although the District 3-4A DI teams are all in the postseason, it should be fun to see these teams battle it out for the top-seed.
The game of the year looks to be in District 1-2A Division I when Panhandle visits West Texas High at 7 p.m. on Nov. 1.
This could be the first of two meetings with these two squads as a heavy favorite to advance to the Class 2A DI state quarterfinal.
