Panhandle stuns Stratford in OT thriller
It doesn’t happen very often, but when it does any opponent can feel how special it is.
For the first time in four decades the Panhandle Panthers left Eddie Metcalf Field at E.L. Sam Bass Stadium as winners, stunning Stratford in a 33-27 thriller in a game that won’t soon be forgotten.
This is only Panhandle’s third win over the Elks since 1989 and the second since 2020. The loss for Stratford snaps a 27-game regular season win streak dating back to 2021.
Panhandle (2-0) led 13-7 at the half as the game stayed close throughout. With the Panthers leading 21-1, Panhandle looked to have sealed the victory with 2:30 play in the fourth quarter when Brayson Choate intercepted a Stratford quarterback Bryce Braden pass taking it back 25-yards that put Panhandle up 27-19.
The Elks (1-1) didn’t go away, responding with a two-minute drive down the field that resulted in a Braden nine-yard touchdown scamper followed by a Braden two-point conversion tying the game up with under a minute left.
That led to overtime. In OT, Stratford quickly went four-and-out giving the ball back to Panhandle. The Panthers were able to execute leading to a QB power call from Broxton Robinson who pushed his way in from four-yards out for the unbelievable game-winner giving Panhandle the exciting win.
Braden was stellar on the night for the Elks. Braden threw for 222 yards on 13-of-24 passes and ran it 31 times for 177 yards with three trips to paydirt. Chase Lantelme led the Elks with 116 yards receiving and had two interceptions on defense.
Sunray shutouts Abernathy
Sunray didn’t look past Abernathy before a huge showdown with Stratford next week. The Bobcats dominated both sides of the ball while rolling to a 39-0 shutout on Friday night at Bobcat Stadium.
The Bobcats (2-0) held the Antelopes (0-2) to 144 yards of offense and forced four turnovers. Defensive lineman Arnold Mendoza had five tackles, two for a loss, with a scoop and score for a touchdown.
The Sunray offense as normal shined. Prolific quarterback Armando Lujan was 20-of-34 for 307 yards with three touchdowns. Kagan Davis caught four passes for 94 yards with a TD and Dawson Bennett added five snags for 61 yards. Ty McDowell led the team with 112 receiving yards on five catches with a touchdown of his own.
Sanford-Fritch rallies past Clarendon
Sanford-Fritch said goodbye to a 14-game losing streak by rallying past Clarendon with 14 unanswered fourth quarter points to stun the Broncos 28-24 at home on Friday night.
The Broncos led 24-14 heading into the fourth quarter. That was until quarterback Ethan Beltran and running back Rocky Ferguson scored back-to-back touchdowns that gave the Eagles the lead and the huge win.
Before Friday, the Eagles last victory came against West Texas High 28-26 on Oct. 7, 2022.
Beltran threw for 197 yards with two touchdowns to lead the charge for Fritch.
West Texas wins wild one at Shamrock
West Texas High outlasted Shamrock in one wild affair at El Paso Stadium in Shamrock to get an exciting 62-50 victory on Friday night.
The Comanches trailed by as many as 14 points, however, a strong finish lifted WT High to stay unbeaten at 2-0. Shamrock falls to 1-1 on the year.
For a second straight week, Cayde Winters showed just how good he is when healthy. The junior signal caller torched the Irish defense going 14-of-24 for 242 yards with a passing touchdown. He then racked up 184 yards rushing on 16 touches with an eye-popping six TDs.
Jasper Ripptoe chipped in for the Comanches catching five passes for 102 yards.
Shamrock quarterback Philip Cook shined himself throwing for 331 yards on 18-of-26 passing with five touchdowns. Cook added 68 yards on 13 carries with a pair of scores. Cross Stambaugh had a great night with eight catches for 130 yards and two touchdowns.
Gruver levels Texhoma
For a second week in a row, the Gruver Greyhounds surpassed the 50-point mark during a whipping of Texhoma, Okla., 51-14, on the road.
The Greyhounds move to 2-0 while Texhoma drops to 1-1.
Gruver running back Walker Maupin couldn’t be stopped chewing up Texhoma for 262 yards rushing on only 16 carries and found the endzone four times. Briggs Satterfield did his thing at QB going 15-of-20 for 199 yards with a pair of TD tosses.
Defensively, Victor Flores had 11 tackles with four for a loss. Stephan Cowan added 10 tackles with an interception.
Week 2 quick hits
- Highland Park held off a late surge from Bovina for a 21-16 win at home on Friday. The Hornets get their first win on the year moving to 1-1. Quarterback Josh Marler was 11-of-19 for 112 yards with two touchdown tosses. Marler also ran for 45 yards and a score.
- Wellington stayed undefeated on the young season by blasting Frederick, Okla., 44-7 on Friday night. Travon Lewis made the most of six carries going for 117 yards with a touchdown. Quarterback Callen Kane threw four touchdown passes on 178 yards through the air.
- It was a strong night for Wheeler as the Mustangs won going away from Morton 40-8 at home on Friday. The Mustangs (2-0) Creed Newkirk and Julius Atherton paced a strong ground effort. Newkirk toted the ball 14 times for 140 yards with a touchdown while Atherton found paydirt three times on 15 carries for 135 yards.
- Texico, N.M. held off arch-rival Farwell 32-19 on Friday night. Despite the loss, Steers QB Jonathan Armstong had a combined 267 yards of offense and three TDs.
- Vega suffered its first loss on the year at Seagraves, 7-2.
- Crosbyton doubled up Memphis 24-12.
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