Happy quarterback Camden Sperry delivers a shuffle pass during the Cowboys rivalry game with Nazareth at the Cowboy Corral on Friday. [Tom Carver/ Press Pass Sports]
1. Happy gets tested
Homecoming night in Happy probably lasted longer than anticipated as pesky Nazareth gave the Cowboys a fight for most of the evening.
The Swifts (1-1) stayed in it trailing only 13-8 at halftime.
The Happy offense had to also adapt after losing running back Pace Bressler to an injury early in the game, but the Cowboys turned things around one the back of quarterback Camden Sperry, running back Cutter Hodges, and big man tight end Kyton Johnson. The trio led the Cowboys offense to 42 unanswered points in the second half to put away the Swifts 55-8 with 2 minutes left to go in regulation.
Sperry threw for 211 yards with four touchdowns, Hodges ran for 170 yards and three scores, and Johnson hauled in 164 yards receiving with three TDs of his own.
2. Tigers pull off epic comeback
The outcome seemed very bleak for Groom on Friday midway into the fourth quarter. Paducah led 33-18 with only four minutes left to go in regulation. However, something clicked for the Tigers (1-1) as they came roaring back to score 15 unanswered to earn an amazing win against the Dragons. Stephen Kuehler played a big role in comeback accounting for over 200 all-purpose yards and finding the endzone by way of passing, running, and receiving in the matchup.
3. Franks is a force for Follett
There were lofty expectations coming into the year for three-year starter and Follett running back, Shayne Franks. So far, the junior has exceeded those expectations.
In Follett’s 50-14 home victory against White Deer, Franks was working overtime on both sides of the ball. Franks scored the Panthers first five touchdowns on the offensive end of the ball, but none better than the 48-yard house call. As if 177 yards rushing and five touchdowns weren’t enough, Franks was a menace on defense collecting 11 solo tackles and assisting on two more.
4. Mustang’s continue defensive dominance
In 2020, Wildorado was known for its defense allowing a single touchdown through the first three games of the season. They’ve bettered that to the early stages of 2021, as the Mustangs have yet to yield a point.
In Week 1, Wildorado downed Darrouzett 58-0, and on Friday backed up that performance with another shutout victory over Patton Spring, 45-0.
Do-it-all standout Dustin Bryant had a sensational night against Patton Springs, rushing for 250 yards with five touchdowns, and racking up eight tackles and a sack on defense.
5. How bout Hedley
The Hedley Owls came out as the better bird in the battle of the Owls on Friday thanks to holding off Silverton 39-37 in a very close matchup. This makes back-to-back seasons that Hedley has started its year off with a 2-0 start. Hedley will look for a third straight win on Friday at Vernon Northside.
6. Region I outlook
Springlake-Earth lies just outside of the Texas Panhandle, but for our Division I teams its success is just as impactful. Friday night the No. 10 Wolverines made trip to Borden County to take on the No. 3 Rankin.
Both of these teams made big pushes in last year’s playoffs, however, it was the Red Devils getting the better of Earth for a 46-30 win. Rankin was in control most of the way leading 46-16 into the fourth quarter. This loss to the Red Devils may leave the door open for a Texas Panhandle to sneak up on the regional favorite later down the road.
