Class 5A Division I
Sandies crush Bel Air on the road
The Amarillo High Sandies were far from the cozy confines of home to open the playoffs Friday night, but they got quite comfortable in their bi-district game at El Paso Bel Air.
Amarillo High got on top of Bel Air quickly, dominating every phase of the game in roaring to a 49-0 victory to advance to the area round. In terms of dominance, it was one of the biggest playoff victories in the school’s lengthy history.
Pius Vokes carried the load on the ground for the Sandies (6-5), running for 128 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries. Will Flaming completed 14-of-22 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns.
Amarillo High will play Red Oak in the area round at 2 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Wichita Falls. Red Oak (11-0) defeated Burleson Centennial 35-32.
Bel Air finished the season 8-3.
Tascosa routs Del Valle
Being a No. 4 seed didn’t change the outcome for the Tascosa Rebels when they traveled to El Paso Del Valle.
For the sixth straight year, the Rebels won their bi-district playoff game, as they took an early lead and rolled over Del Valle, 50-25. The records and location had no impact on this one, as Tascosa is now even for the season at 5-5, and Del Valle has a better record, but at 9-2 will be sitting home next week.
Tascosa will play Justin Northwest next week in the area round at 7 p.m. on Friday at Wildcats Stadium on the campus of Abilene Christian University.
It’s no surprise that the Rebels went with their tried-and-true running game to get things going in the postseason, as they gained all of their 530 yards on the ground. Sophomore quarterback Coltyn Fulton had the best game of his young career, running for 227 yards and three touchdowns on 18 carries.
Andrew Merrell ran for 75 yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries.
Class 5A Division II
Palo Duro falls to Canutillo
For the second straight year, Palo Duro went out west to face Canutillo, and came back with a nearly identical result, which meant the end of the season for the Dons.
Palo Duro had a tough time moving the ball against the Eagles, committing seven turnovers as they fell short in a 28-7 loss. The Dons finished the season 4-6, seeing their bi-district run end for the second straight year at Canutillo (9-2), who beat PD 28-0 last season.
It was a close game at halftime, with Palo Duro trailing only 14-7. But that was as good as it got for the Dons.
Sophomore quarterback Darien Lewis had the only touchdown for the Dons on a 3-yard run.
Class 4A Division I
Randall rolls over Burkburnett
Randall got in front early and coasted the rest of the way, cruising by Burkburnett 48-28 at Childress.
While it’s no surprise that Randall (7-4) won in the first round of the playoffs, as has become the custom for the Raiders, there was a twist this time, as it was the first playoff win at the school for coach Dan Sherwood.
Randall was never seriously in trouble, roaring to a 34-0 halftime lead. The Raiders were balanced offensively, rushing for 331 yards while averaging over nine yards and attempt, and throwing for 204 yards.
Tryston Sanchez continues to be a productive dual threat at quarterback for Randall. He ran for 136 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries, and also threw a touchdown pass.
Dylan Ray led the Raiders with 147 yards and three touchdowns on 11 carries. Collin Miller had five catches for 161 yards and a touchdown, as Randall will play Brownwood in the area round next Friday at 7 p.m. in Greenwood.
Burkburnett finished the season 3-8.
Also in Division I, Hereford’s season came to an end with a 42-7 loss to Springtown. Hereford, which won only one game in 2022, finished the season 7-4 and Springtown is now 8-3.
Class 4A Division II
Perryton flies past Fort Stockton
In a game which proved that records don’t mean a thing once the playoffs start, Perryton went off on offense against Fort Stockton, throwing the ball through the air at will to romp to a 58-27 victory at Wolfforth Frenship.
Perryton (4-7) advances to the area round of the playoffs next Friday at 7 p.m. against Glen Rose in Iowa Park. Fort Stockton, which was heavily favored, finishes the season 9-2.
Considering the way the Rangers had been moving the ball as of late, maybe the result wasn’t such an upset. Cooper Schilling, who took over at quarterback midseason, had a game for the ages, completing 31-of-40 passes for 461 yards and seven touchdowns.
Two receivers had huge games as well for the Rangers. Gordo Estrada had nine catches for 168 yards and three touchdowns, and Julian Cervantes had eight catches for 179 yards and three scores as well.
