Week 8 was loaded with impactful games and amazing performances. Let’s take a look a look at those players that put up eye-popping numbers across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains.
Brady Layne, West Texas High, QB, Jr.
The junior gunslinger put together one his best games of the year and helped lead West Texas High to a key 61-26 victory at Vega. Layne had it going the entire night going 15-of-21 through the air for 312 yards with seven touchdown passes to three different receivers. Layne also ran for another 26 yards in the victory.
Brayden Lineman, Tascosa, QB, Sr.
Lineman and the Tascosa Rebels had their best performance of the season in a 55-14 throttling of Lubbock Monterey in a District 2-5A Division I matchup. Lineman has been getting better by the week and finally put it all together against the Plainsman rushing for 225 yards on 18 carries to go with three touchdowns. Lineman was even superb in the pass game throwing for 111 yards.
Tate Dunnam, Dumas, WR-DB, Jr.
Dumas has put itself back in the district race and snapped a four-game losing skid in the process by scoring 18 unanswered points to stun Randall 28-19. Dunnam did his job on both sides of the ball. Defensively, the junior defensive back had an interception along with solo tackles. On the offensive side of the ball, Dunnam snagged six catches for 60 yards that included a key touchdown late in the game.
Weston Mitchell, Canadian, QB, Jr.
Mitchell looks to be back in his standout form as the Wildcats stayed perfect in District 1-3A Division II play with a 70-31 home victory against Dimmitt on Friday. Coming off an injury earlier in the year, Mitchell has come back strong and that showed against the Bobcats as the junior went 26-of-34 for 335 yards with seven touchdown passes. Mitchell also rushed for over 100 yards.
Cruz Dickson, Shallowater, WR-DB, Sr.
Dickson made big-time plays on both sides of the ball during Shallowater’s 49-28 win over Bushland in a major District 1-3A Division I showdown Friday night. On the defensive side, Dickson was a ball-hawk pulling down three interceptions and returned one of those 85 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter. On the offensive side, Dickson was a top target for QB Logan Winn, catching three balls for 69 yards with a touchdown.
Ethan Barrett, Sanford-Fritch, RB, Jr.
Behind Barrett and a plethora of backs, Sanford-Fritch snapped a 19-game district losing streak in thrilling fashion with a wild 62-60 win against Sunray on Friday. Barrett couldn’t be stopped the entire night and was definitely the workhorse for Fritch as he was asked to carry the ball 38 times for 318 yards with three touchdowns. He also converted five 2-point conversions.
Bennett Bell and Brix Machen, Hereford, QB-WR
The 1-2 punch of Bennett Bell and Brix Machen was more than enough to lift Hereford to a 35-15 road win at Pampa during a District 2-4A Division I game Friday. Bell has been getting better by the week and that showed against the Harvesters with the senior going 5-of-7 for 128 yards with two touchdown tosses. Bell also ran for 144 yards with two more scores on 26 carries. Both of Bell’s TD passes went to Machen, who caught three passes for 106 yards.
Kreed Robinson and Markeal Davis, Clarendon, QB-RB
Behind Robinson and Davis, Clarendon earned a key District 5-2A Division II win against Shamrock 58-32. The dual-threat QB Robinson did damage with his feet running the rock seven times for 151 yards with two touchdowns. Robinson even tacked on 100 yards passing. Davis used his speed to eat up the Irish for 164 yards on 13 carries with four scores.
Zayden Echols, Lubbock-Cooper, RB, Fr.
It’s been a frustrating season for the Lubbock-Cooper Pirates, but after an 0-6 start Cooper was finally able to get into the win column after knocking off Lubbock Coronado 48-6 at home in a District 2-5A Division II game. The freshman Echols stepped up in a big way for a Pirate team that ran all over the Mustangs. Echols finished the game running for a team-best 102 yards on 10 carries with a touchdown.
Davis Babcock, Groom, QB-LB, Sr.
The Tigers went on the road Thursday and left with a 45-26 District 1-1A Division II victory against Follett to stay in the playoff hunt. Babcock, a senior captain for Groom, made sure to leave his mark, going 12-of-20 through the air for 323 yards with five passing touchdowns. He then ran for 47 yards, and on defense racked up 9.5 tackles.
