West Texas High quarterback Avian Cruz (3) hurdles a Panhandle defender on his way in for a touchdown on Friday night at Comanches Stadium. [Tucker Stroud/ Press Pass Sports]
West Texas High and Panhandle gave fans an offensive exhibition by every definition possible during a District 1-2A Division I showdown Friday night at Comanches Stadium.
When the dust finally settled after a three hour football game that was more like a track meet, it was West Texas High behind an unbelievable performance from quarterback Avian Cruz taking down Panhandle by an incredible score of 77-52.
The two teams put up numbers that many see only by video games. The Comanches and Panthers combined for 129 points, totaled 1,521 yards of offense and combined to score 17 touchdowns.
As eye-opening as those numbers are, it was West Texas High making up most of those ridiculous stats. The Comanches ran up an avalanche of 891 offensive yards with 10 total touchdowns on a total of 73 plays.
Cruz was masterful from his 17-yard touchdown run on the games first drive to his eighth total touchdown on a 61-yard scamper in the fourth quarter, putting the Comanches up 77-38.
Cruz ran past, hurdled over and threw over the Panthers defense, totaling 672 yards of offense on his own with a combined eight TDs.
The junior threw for 490 yards and chewed up the turf for 182.
Receiver Jonah Villanueva was another weapon that was flat out unstoppable. The savvy senior receiver had a season worth of numbers, torching the Panthers secondary for a career-high 16 catches for 348 yards and two touchdowns. Teammate Jaykob Hernandez added a pair of TDs on 104 yards receiving.
Hidden behind this record offensive performance, is the Comanches clinch the District 1-2A Division I title, moving to 7-2 overall and 4-0 in district.
Panhandle, which will be the No. 2-seed, fall to 7-2, 3-1.
The Panthers fell behind 28-6 in the second quarter and struggled to recover from that point forward.
Despite the loss, fullback Jayse Edwards ran for 219 yards and three touchdowns.
WT High 77, Panhandle 52
Panhandle 6 16 16 14 — 52
WT High 21 28 22 6 — 77
Hornets clinch playoff spot in thrilling fashion
Sunray fell short on a game-tying 2-point conversion with 17 seconds left, giving Highland Park a thrilling 22-20 victory on Friday night at Hornets Stadium.
Trailing 22-14, with under 30 seconds left, quarterback Tate DeBord ran in for a touchdown from 3-yards out, cutting the lead at 22-20. But on the 2-point conversion, DeBord missed his receiver for an incomplete pass.
Highland Park took the lead with 1:34 to play. With the game tied, 14-14, Hornet quarterback Hunter Nicholas found Kenny Diaz on a 31-yard touchdown pass. Diaz then added the crucial 2-point conversion with a run.
The win lifts the Hornets into the playoffs, as Highland Park (4-5, 2-2) will be the No. 3-seed out of District 1-2A Division I.
Sanford-Fritch beat Boys Ranch, 54-8 on Friday. The Eagles win combined with the Sunray (1-8, 1-3 loss) eliminates the Bobcats from playoff contention.
Diaz led the Hornets with 93 yards rushing on 19 carries with two TDs.
Highland Park 22, Sunray 20
Sunray 0 0 0 20 — 20
Highland Park 0 8 0 14 — 22
District 3-2A Division II
Clarendon shocks Greyhounds
Clarendon pulled off one of the more surprising wins of week 10, stunning Gruver 28-14 at Greyhounds Stadium on Friday night.
Clarendon’s ground game was the difference.
Sylvester Ballard was menacing to the Gruver defense, leading the Broncos with 19 carries for 168 yards and 2 touchdowns.
On the night, Clarendon was able to chew up 263 totals yards rushing alone.
When Clarendon did throw, it was Jamal Butler on the receiving end. Butler made only two catches, but made the most of them, racking up 80 yards and a touchdown.
The Greyhounds were held to 190 total yards on the night, one of the roughest offensive performances for this team of the year. Gruver is now 6-3 on the season and 2-1 in District 3-2A Division II, while Clarendon improves to 6-3, 2-1.
Clarendon 28, Gruver 14
Clarendon 14 14 — 28
Gruver 6 8 — 14
Stratford dismantles Booker
Stratford stayed hot, continuing to dominate District 3-2A Division II with a 53-0 shutout of Booker on Friday night at Kiowas Stadium.
Stratford was able to outgain Booker 336-33 in the lopsided affair.
The Elks were led by Iuden Romero who rushed nine times for 94 yards and three touchdowns. Walker McBride was successful through the air once again as he threw 10 of 14 for 100 yards and two touchdowns.
The Elks clinched a share of the district title at 8-1 and 3-0. Booker falls to 1-8 with an 0-4 record in district play.
Stratford 53, Booker 0
Stratford 33 13 7 — 53
Booker —
District 5-2A Division II
Wheeler dominates in win over Quanah
The Wheeler Mustangs scored 29 first half points crusing to a 48-6 win on the road at Quanah.
Wheeler’s defense stood out in the victory by holding Quanah to 39 total yards on the night. On top of that, the Mustangs were able to force six fumbles, recovering three.
Leading Wheeler on the offensive side of the ball was junior Hesston Marshall. The junior continued his MVP year going for 100 yards with a score. Quarterback Gustavo Andrade was efficient, completing 8 of 12 for 115 yards and two touchdowns.
The Mustangs are rolling now at 8-1 overall record and a perfect 4-0 record in District 5-2A Division II. The Mustangs now get set for a huge matchup against Wellington (8-1, 4-0) for the district title Friday.
Wheeler 48, Quanah 6
Quanah 6 — 6
Wheeler 8 21 19 — 48
Irish clinch playoff spot
Shamrock made the trip to Munday worth it, blowing out the Moguls 59-38 on Friday night.
The win clinches a playoff spot for Shamrock, which improves to 3-6 overall and 2-2 in District 5-2A Division II.
Quarterback Shea Jernigan provided the offense, rushing for 282 yards with three touchdowns. He also threw for 104 yards and two more scores.
Senior Fernando Garza provided the defense. Garza made a game-high 13 tackles, three for a loss with a sack. He also made a 2-point conversion on a run play.
Shamrock 59, Munday 38
Shamrock 22 7 16 14 — 59
Munday 15 8 15 — 38