Sunray survives Childress 

In a first ever matchup, Sunray survived a long road trip as well as an upset-bid at the hands of the Childress Bobcats using a big second half for a 21-7 victory on Charlie Johnston Field at Fair Park Stadium on Friday night.

Defense was the key in the win for the Bobcats. Sunray held Childress to 245 yards and got four big interceptions that was the difference. Linebacker Ty McDowell, who is usually known for his offensive skill, made three of those interceptions on top of 14 total tackles.

Defensive lineman Arnold Mendoza made eight tackles and Uriel Ortiz was in on nine tackles, five of which were solo.

The Childress (2-2) defense was on point as well. Childress impressively held Sunray scoreless in the first half taking a 7-0 lead into the break. However, the turnovers caught up with Childress and Sunray’s offense did what it needed to.

Quarterback Armando Lujan found Conner Petereit cutting the lead at 7-6 early in the third. A pair of Lujan TD scampers down the stretch was the difference as Sunray pulled away.

Lujan had a modest night going 16-of-30 for 131 yards with one touchdown pass and ran for two scores. Dawson Bennett caught six passes for 41 yards.

Sunray (4-0) remains as one of seven Texas Panhandle teams undefeated in the early portion of the year.

Gruver pummels Clarendon

Gruver handled Clarendon to stay unbeaten on the year with a lopsided 51-18 victory at Broncos Stadium.

The Greyhounds are now 4-0 on the season and are one of seven Texas Panhandle teams yet to suffer a loss.

Emmanuel Valverde was tremendous on the defensive side of the ball. The linebacker ate up Clarendon (0-4) making 12 tackles, five for a loss, with two sacks and an interception. If that wasn’t good enough, Valverde was 7-for-7 on extra-point kicks.

Walker Maupin toted the ball eight times for 73 yards with a score and had a really special moment during the game. Walker broke loose on his way into the endzone with his twin brother Wesley, a tight end/ offensive lineman, following. Instead of scoring, Walker handed the ball off to his twin Wesley so Wesley could score his first career varsity touchdown.

Highland Park shuts out Memphis 

The Highland Park Hornets have made it three straight victories after a season-opening loss with a blanking of Memphis 34-0 at home on Friday night.

The Hornets are now 3-1 overall while Memphis falls to 1-3.

The Hornets dominated on both sides of the ball. Offensively, quarterback Josh Marler was 12-of-22 for 186 yards with a touchdown. Marler added 33 yards rushing with two more scores. Teammate Morgan Peace chipped in with 58 yards rushing on 14 carries.

Defensively, Highland Park limited Memphis to 86 total yards.

West Texas High stings Tulia 

Cayde Winters was once again a difference maker for West Texas High as he stung Tulia during a 68-22 home win on Friday night at Comanches Stadium.

Winters went nuts as he was a complete mismatch for Tulia (1-3). The junior dual-threat QB piling up 284 yards on the ground on only 21 carries with five touchdowns. Winters then threw for 114 yards with three more TDs.

Teammate Kelby Sherwood added 173 yards on the ground with a score. West Texas High is now 3-1 overall on the year. Through four games, Winters has already rushed for 824 yards with 15 touchdowns and thrown for 486 yards with six more scores.

Abernathy holds off Farwell

In another wild contest on Friday, Abernathy edged Farwell 42-41 at home on Friday night.

The Steers (1-3) led 41-35 with just under 1:20 to play. That was until Abernathy (2-2) quarterback Jagger Wiley, the son of head coach Justin Wiley, called his own number from a yard out to tie the game. Wiley then knocked through the extra-point for the eventual game-winner giving the Antelopes a 42-41 win.

Farwell had one last chance, but a Jonathan Armstrong pass was intercepted on the final drive.

Wiley finished 20-of-30 for 288 yards with five touchdown passes. Darion Duvall was Wiley’s go-to target snagging eight catches for 141 yards with three touchdowns.

Farwell’s Armstrong was 20-of-26 for 218 passing yards and a touchdown despite two interceptions. Armstrong also tallied 158 yards rushing on 17 carries with two scores.

Non-district quick hits 

• Wheeler bounced back from its first loss on the year by blanking Ralls at home 50-0 on Friday. The Mustangs (3-1) were led by quarterback Creed Newkirk’s 95 rushing yards and two scores. Newkirk also threw for 82 yards with two more TDs.
• Shamrock keeps its winning ways going beating Sanford-Fritch 20-13. The Irish move to 3-1 overall while the Eagles fall to 1-3. Quarterback threw for 158 yards on 9-of-18 passing and rushed for 104 yards on 18 carries with three touchdowns. Cross Stambaugh hauled in four catches for 85 yards.
• Wellington suffered its first loss on the year falling in a very good game against Lubbock Christian High School 36-34 at home on Friday. Callen Kane played strong for the Skyrockets (3-1) going 9-of-11 passing for 123 yards with a score. Travon Lewis tacked on 101 yards rushing with two scores. The Eagles were led by talented QB Welker Horn who went 20-of-29 for 378 yards passing with five touchdowns.
• Spearman came up short at home to Texhoma, Okla., 20-17. The Lynx (1-3) had chances but an interception late from Red Devil standout Crosby Cartwright. Cartright totaled 186 yards of offense and had five tackles. Spearman’s JP Carbajal bruised his way to 116 yards on 27 carries. Teammate Dallen Scroggs had a 100-yard pick six for a score.
• Vega and Bovina’s struggles continue. Vega fell on the road to Sudan 41-20, while Bovina dropped a tough one to Seagraves 29-6.