Week 6 of the high school football season saw October open with quite a bit to discuss. Amarillo High looks to be in total control of District 2-5A Division I following the first two weeks of league play. Friday night saw some eye-opening upsets across the Amarillo-area and there are still nine undefeated teams across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains.

Is Amarillo High the team to beat in 2-5A Division I

There is a lot of football left to be played, but as the calendar turns to October the Amarillo High Sandies may be the team to beat in District 2-5A Division I. The Sandies are dangerous offensively and play aggressive defense with both being on display during a 45-20 against arch-rival Tascosa on Friday night at Dick Bivins Stadium. AHS hit Tascosa with a fast start and big scoring plays of 68, 57, 46, 32 and 27 yards.

The AHS defense forced four turnovers and the 35 first half points tied for the most ever in this series that dates back 70 years. AHS now leads this all-time city series 44-23-3. The Sandies will be back at home Thursday night to play a Lubbock Monterey (3-2, 2-0) team that has looks rejuvenated since league play started. AHS will also have a showdown with reigning league champion Abilene High (3-2, 2-0) at home on Oct. 16.

Week 6 upsets

Week 6 not only brought in rainy weather but it was highlighted by some big-time upsets across the Texas Panhandle. There wasn’t a bigger suprsie than Dalhart’s 26-7 dominating win at Canadian, spoiling the Wildcats Homecoming on Friday. This was the firist meeting between the two school’s since 1985, and the Golden Wolves (5-1) made it a memorable one. A 17-point underdog heading into the game according to Dave Campbell’s Texas Football, Dalhart’s offense moved up and down the field while the Golden Wolves defense limited the Wildcats (3-3) to their lowest point production of the season and forced four turnovers. Dalhart wasn’t alone, Perryton rallied back to knock off Childress 35-31 on Friday night. That win gives the Rangers (4-2) some major momentum headed into league play.

The passing duo of quarterback Cooper Schilling and receiver Gordo Estrada couldn’t be stopped. The two connected 16 times for 213 yards with two touchdowns. Highland Park (2-4) also caught headlines for a second straight week. The red-hot Hornets made it back-to-back wins after scoring 12 unanswered points to beat Vega 38-26 while handing the Longhorns (4-1) their first loss of the year.

Tip of the cap to McLean’s Stran Henderson

One of the top Six-Man players in the state and certainly across West Texas has had to call it a high school football career. Following a severe eye injury early in the season, McLean’s Stran Henderson has had trouble regaining his full vision. After visiting multiple doctors, he and his family felt it best to hang up the cleats. Henderson went to his Instagram account Friday to post the heartbreaking news.

“It was a hard decision,” Henderson said. “But it’s the right decision. High School football is very important to me but there is life after football and right now getting my vision back is what’s most important. After speaking with doctors, they said it would probably be best if I didn’t play and call it a high school career. I have loved my time playing at McLean and I wouldn’t change anything about it.”

Henderson played in a season-opening win against the West Texas Tornadoes rushing for 211 yards with four touchdowns, but has been sidelined ever since. Henderson has been leading his team in a different way by helping coach on the sideline. Last season, Henderson had a great year despite battling injuries racking up over 1,300 yards with 14 touchdowns.

Olton is making history by the week

The Olton Mustangs are quietly putting together a something special. With a 34-14 win against Sundown on Friday, the Mustangs stayed undefeated moving to 6-0 for the first time in 56 years. Olton’s best start since 1970 is the fourth best in school history with the lone unbeaten season on record coming at 7-0 in 1928. Second year head coach James Dougherty credits the 19 returners and the hard work put in over the summer when Olton qualified for the Texas 7-on-7 state football championships for the first time in program history.

“I feel we had a great summer,” Dougherty said. “I think that’s a 100 percent the reason why we have the confidence we do and that has carried us to this point we’re at right now. The community is excited and there is a different feeling around town than there has been. This is a community that always supports athletics and they have loved seeing these guys win games. I think the locker room has such a big part in what’s going on. In the past, one bad thing happened and it would snow ball. Everyone is close in the locker room and getting closer by the week. They all hold each other accountable and the guys coach one another. We have experience and that is paying off and this is fun to see.”

Olton is averaging 316 yards per game offensively and doing with plenty of balance. Quarterback Brady Azam has thrown for 751 yards with 11 touchdowns without an interception while running back Callen Burns leads a strong run attack with 396 yards with four TDs. Defensively, the Mustangs are stingy giving up just 123 yards per game and two rushing scores on the year. Rodrigo Galvan is Olton’s leading tackler with 45 total tackles.

Olton will open District 2-2A Division I play hosting Tulia at 7 p.m. on Friday.

Nine undefeated teams remain

Following Week 6 and heading into district play across the Texas Panhandle and South Plains, there are nine undefeated teams still standing in the Press Pass Sports coverage area. In Class 4A, Lubbock-Cooper Liberty and Lubbock Estacado are both 6-0. Randall had a bye week, so the Raiders enter league play at 5-0. Dimmitt fell to Littlefield, 21-20, leaving Idalou (6-0) as the lone remaining Class 3A team.

In Class 2A, Gruver heads into district action at 6-0 while along with Olton (6-0). At the Class 1A level, Boys Ranch had a bye to stay at 5-0. White Deer knocked off Kress 58-18 to move to 6-0 and Hart hammered Plainview Classical, 54-6, putting the Longhorns at 6-0.