Heading into the postseason, the Gruver football team was adamant on not allowing the bye week in between to derail its playoff ambitions. As defending Region I champions, the Greyhounds are seeking to fulfill those lofty expectations.
Gruver took a step in that direction in the Class 2A Division II bi-district round, handling Lockney by way of a 67-7 final score on Thursday at Wildcat Stadium on the campus of River Road High School.
Save for the end of the first half, a lost fumble from its reserves late in the game and the end of the contest itself, the Greyhounds scored on every possession. Gruver also dominated in all three phases, putting up points on offense, defense and special teams.
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According to Gruver head coach Kurt Haberthur, the Greyhounds used the bye week to sharpen their focus.
“It’s a great win for us, and for the most part, we came out healthy,” Haberthur said after the game. “We used a lot of kids, and played a complete three-phase game. Sometimes when you have an open week after playing well, you can come out a little slow. We didn’t do that (against Lockney). It was big to come out hot like that.”
With the resounding victory, Gruver improved to 9-2 overall and advanced to the area round. There, the Greyhounds will square off against Wink at 7 p.m. next Friday at Charles Tyer Stadium in Floydada.
The Wildcats (9-2) defeated Sundown, 40-12, on Thursday at the Mustang Bowl in Andrews.
“We’re going to have to play good defense,” Haberthur said. “You win this time of the year with a solid defense, good special teams and not turning the ball over. So, we’ll have to continue those things. Wink has been a very good program for a long time, with really good players. It’ll take a solid game to win that one.”
Senior Dax Conyers concurred with his coach. Conyers provided the Greyhounds with 32 yards and two touchdowns on five carries, while picking up four tackles for a loss and a safety.
“We’re going to have to focus a lot, and keep trusting what our coaches are saying,” said Conyers. “We just need to keep working.”
Lockney finished its season with a 4-7 overall record.
It’s all Gruver from the get-go, as the Greyhounds jumped out to a 26-0 lead by the end of the first quarter. At halftime, the red and black extended that lead to 55-0. By the start of the fourth quarter, Gruver held a 67-0 advantage.
Within that duration, senior quarterback Briggs Satterfield was 9-of-13 for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore wideout Mason Lankford caught two passes for 53 yards and a TD, alongside senior Emmanuel Valverde’s 79 yards and one TD in four carries.
Sophomore Quinn Conyers complemented his older brother, finishing with 21 yards and one TD.
Dax was proud of Quinn and his other sibling, sophomore lineman Rylan Conyers.
“I love that kid,” Dax said of Quinn. “I love to see all of my teammates succeed and all of the ones who came up from last year. It’s just amazing to see them all succeed.”
Coach Hab echoed one of his senior leaders.
“To have three kids from the same family out on the field is a pretty cool deal,” Haberthur said. “We also had (freshman Cross Milloy and sophomore Colt Milloy), both young guys, on the field at the same time. It’s a neat deal to get them all out there, and even see a few of them score.”
Lockney did score with 10:26 left with a nine yard touchdown from freshman running back Kason Villareal, but it was too little, too late.
Senior Brock Butler had a strong performance with two interceptions and one pass breakup on defense, and catching three passes for 37 yards. Senior Victor Flores chimed in with five tackles, including three tackles for a loss and one pass breakup.
Sophomore Bo Cowan provided six tackles, one tackle for a loss and two quarterback sacks, and senior Tripp Hill recorded five tackles, three tackles for a loss and one sack. Senior Nick Shepard also ran back a Lockney free kick for a touchdown.
Backup quarterback, sophomore Jett Pittman, was also solid for Gruver. Pittman was 3-of-3 for 33 yards and rushed for 50 yards and two trips to paydirt on seven occasions.