When it comes to power of the UIL high school football playoffs across the state, the Texas Panhandle traditionally flexes its muscle at the small school level.
That statement holds true once again in 2025, especially in Class 2A Division II, where two district rivals between two towns with no love-loss, separated by 38 miles are set to do battle.
For a third time in two years, Gruver will take on arch-rival Stratford, this time in a state quarterfinal at 7 p.m., Friday at Happy State Bank Stadium in Canyon.
While playing for a district title was big in the first meeting, which Stratford won 40-27 on Oct. 10 to take the District 1-2A Division II crown, the stakes are much higher with the winner not only claiming the Region I championship, but advancing an inch closer to AT&T Stadium in Arlington.
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When it comes to tradition the Elks (11-2 overall) are steeped in it. This is Stratford’s 14th state quarterfinal since 1999, and their third since 2021.
“It’s exciting right now,” Stratford head coach Jonathan Murphy said. “This is what everyone wants to talk about. The community wants to talk about last weeks game and this game with Gruver. This town lives for the playoffs and the Stratford football program. There is an expectation to get to this round of the playoffs or further every year.”
For Gruver (11-2), the Greyhounds have built a tradition for a near decade, winning the Region I championship last season while advancing to their third state quarterfinal since 2018. In fact, the Greyhounds won their first regional title against the Elks in 2018 in a 50-14 thumping.
“Getting to the fourth round is always a big deal,” Gruver head football coach Kurt Haberthur said. “It’s fun for the players, the school and the town. For us, it’s a chance to play December football and continue to play.”
Both teams enter Friday’s game playing really good football. Stratford has won seven in a row and are averaging 41 points a game, putting up 372 yards a contest while allowing 15.5 points and just 225 yards a night.
Since that district loss to the Elks, Gruver has reeled off six straight games, and are averaging 46 points a game and 370 yards. On the defensive side, the Greyhounds are allowing only 13.5 points a contest and have given up 160 yards per outing.
“I think a game like this shows we have a ton of good football in the Texas Panhandle,” Murphy said. “You see what West Plains and West Texas High are doing also. You have a bunch of blue-collar teams with kids that have great work ethic. Gruver is one of those teams. They have done a great job of building a tradition and we knew what kind of coach they’d be getting in (Kurt) Haberthur. We have a ton of respect for him and his staff.”
Neither team is putting much stock into the first meeting that Stratford won. That game was almost two months ago, and each team is playing different football on a completely different level. The focus instead is, being prepared for a familiar opponent.
“I think at this point it’s more detail oriented in the preparation,” Haberthur said. “We know each other so well, so it will be how do we defend the small things and make sure we get the ball where it needs to go. Details are so critical at this point and if we take care of those, we have a great chance to win.”
Murphy echoed Haberthur’s comment.
“We always tell the guys, the focus is on us,” Murphy said. “We have to be great to give us the best chance to win. Playing against Gruver is very familiar, and we know we have to be extremely prepared and execute in everything we do. But again, it’s just taking care of us and how we go about what we do.”
Stratford and Gruver have playmakers all over the field that fans will want to keep an eye on.
Stratford quarterback Chase Lantelme has been lighting it up this year throwing for 2,188 yards with 31 touchdowns to only three interceptions. The junior also ran for 351 yards with another five touchdowns, and in the secondary, he’s made 98 tackles with four interceptions. Wide receiver Darius Jones is a top target for Lantelme. Jones caught a team-high 43 passes for 1,087 yards with 16 touchdowns, and has added 248 yards on the ground with another eight TDs.
Gruver counters with leader Briggs Satterfield. Satterfield, who is 35-6 as a three-year starter, has thrown for 2,341 yards with 34 touchdowns but has seven picks. The senior also leads his team in rushing with 856 yards with 22 more TDs. At wide out, sophomore Mason Lankford has come on during the playoffs, but on the season has hauled in 31 catches for 599 yards with 13 touchdowns. Brock Butler leads the Greyhounds with 56 catches for 692 yards and 10 scores.
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Stratford’s playoff path
Bi-district
Stratford 78, Morton 14
Area round
Stratford 35, Tahoka 0
Regional semifinals
Stratford 48, Bovina 14
Gruver’s playoff path
Bi-district
Gruver 67, Lockney 7
Area round
Gruver 40, Wink 14
Regional semifinals
Gruver 23, Ropes 13