Week 10 brought some huge wins and unbelievable individual performances from athletes across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains. Be sure to take a look at some of those highlight outings from another great Friday night.
Creed Newkirk, Wheeler, QB-DB, Sr.
The four-year starter and Wheeler team captain led the offensive attack during the Mustangs 13-0 shutout against Wellington to claim the District 5-2A Division II championship. It was also Wheeler’s first win over the Skyrockets for the first time in 19 years. While the defense did their job pitching a shutout, Newkirk and the ground controlled offense went to work with two first half touchdowns that helped seal the victory. Newkirk finished the game carrying the ball 24 times for 141 yards, scoring both TDs. He was also 4-of-6 passing for 81 yards and made four tackles on defense.
[tds_partial_locker tds_locker_id=”26894″]Slade Russell, West Plains, RB, Jr.
The explosive West Plains running back is on this list for a second win in a row and for good reason. Russell is the engine that drives the offensive bus for the Wolves and that showed once more during a 56-37 victory against Dumas. Russell was unstoppable anytime he touched the ball, racking up an eye-popping 347 yards on only 22 carries with three touchdown runs of 71, 64 and 45 yards.
Jett Lopez, Amarillo High, QB, Sr.
Amarillo High continued its dominance of Lubbock High, beating the Westerners for a 45th straight time with a 58-13 victory. Sandie signal caller Jett Lopez had another outstanding passing performance going a very sharp 10-of-14 for 309 yards with seven touchdown passes to five different receivers.
AJ Huddleston, Idalou, RB, Jr.
Idalou ran Slaton off the field for a 41-6 victory to claim the District 2-3A Division II title Friday night. The Wildcats did it behind the steady ground attack of the junior Huddleston. Huddleston chewed up the Tiger defense the entire contest toting the rock 14 times for 135 yards with two scores.
Weston Mitchell, Canadian, QB, Soph.
Mitchell is getting better by the week and growing into his role. The gunslinger looked sharp in a 65-14 downing of Dimmitt to help keep the Wildcats unbeaten in district play. The sophomore finished his quick night going 12-of-19 for 180 yards with a pair of touchdown tosses and ran for 83 yards with three more TDs.
Hunter Trusler, Dalhart, QB-LB, Sr.
Dalhart made a statement that the Golden Wolves were for real with a dominating 31-7 win against Bushland on Friday, snapping an 11-game losing skid to the Falcons. Week-by-week, dual-threat quarterback Hunter Trusler continues to show just how good he is and the leader he is for Dalhart. Trusler was the unstoppable force doing it all in the victory. On the offensive side, Trusler tore up Bushland rushing for 143 yards on 33 carries with three trips to paydirt. Through the air, he went 9-of-17 for 137 yards with a touchdown, then made eight tackles on defense and had a pick-six for a score on top of another interception.
Briggs Satterfield, Gruver, QB, Sr.
Gruver had one of the more eye-opening wins of Week 10, putting it on Farwell 56-14 to finish off district with a 3-1 mark. Senior captain Briggs Satterfield wasn’t going to be stopped and he proved that against the Steers throwing for 207 yards, rushing for 137 yards for a combined seven touchdowns.
Isaac Rodriguez, Lubbock-Cooper Liberty, DL, Jr.
Lubbock-Cooper Liberty sealed up its first ever district title in program history with a blistering 49-22 route of Lubbock Estacado on Thursday night. The Patriots offense gets a lot of attention, but it was the defense that was stingy against the Matadors, especially the play of Rodriguez. The defensive lineman made life rough for Estacado seven tackles, six of those solo, and he nabbed an interception.
Caleb Herbert, Clarendon, QB, Jr.
Behind the help of Herbert, the Clarendon Broncos were able to snap an 18-game regular season losing skid dating back to last year by getting a 46-7 win over Memphis. This was the first victory for head coach Jeff Caffey at Clarendon. Herbert was the X-factor in the victory for the Broncos as the junior ran for 108 yards on 13 carries with a touchdown and went 5-of-10 passing for 110 yards.
Zeke Grajeda, Sunray, QB, Jr.
It’s been a long, rough football season for Sunray for multiple reasons, but the Bobcats were able to put all that aside Friday night by picking up their first win of the year with a come-from-behind 33-26 win over Sanford-Fritch. Grajeda continues to get better week in and week out and the junior delivered against the Eagles, going 11-of-19 passing for 240 yards with two touchdowns tosses.
