In football, as with most sports, momentum can play a major factor within a game or over the course of a season. If a team can capture the positive side of the pendulum swing, great things often materialize. If a team has to contend with the negative side of the swing, though, it’s challenging to push it back in the right direction.
The West Texas A&M football team has generated plenty of good vibes as of late, using a strong first half to breeze past Sul Ross State by way of a 56-7 decision in a Lone Star Conference matchup on Saturday at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium in Canyon.
The Buffaloes scored on every possession in the first half, and built up a 49-0 lead by halftime. Then, the maroon and white allowed its reserves plenty of valuable playing time from the midpoint of the second quarter to the end of the game.
West Texas A&M also picked up their third win in their past four contests in dominant fashion, racking up 612 yards of total offense in front of an announced Homecoming crowd of 7,234 spectators.
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“I’m really happy with our players,” said Josh Lynn, WTAMU head football coach. “I’ll say this, Sul Ross has been struggling, but it’s hard to get up for those types of games. But our kids had a great past two weeks of practice and gosh, I just feel like we’re getting better and better every week. It’s just fun to be around right now.”
WTAMU graduate transfer quarterback RJ Martinez enjoyed a near flawless performance, going 19-of-22 for 332 yards and four touchdowns — all accomplished by the tail end of the first half.
“I really believe that he’s one of the best Division II quarterbacks in the nation,” Lynn said of the Texas State transfer. “With the way he works, the way he presents himself and the abilities he has, I really believe that. The thing is, he’s only been with us for six games now. It’s really fun to see his development as a quarterback, even though he’s kind of a veteran, but he’s the leader that we’ve been missing.”
The Buffs’ receiver corps had a splendid night, as well, led by graduate transfers Trevin Edwards and Drew Zamar. Edwards caught three passes for 56 yards and two touchdowns, followed by Zamar’s two catches for 71 yards and one score.
“It feels amazing,” Edwards said, following his team’s latest triumph. “We put in the effort and the preparation was good. We put it all together on the field.”
The WT defensive unit limited Sul Ross to a modest 210 yards of total offense, but did allow the Lobos to score their first touchdown of the year. However, the Buffs already had the game well in hand by that score, which occurred with 11:33 left in the game.
Redshirt junior Campbell Packebush led the way with five total tackles, which included four assisted tackles and one quarterback sack.
“We came out here and knew the job that had to be done,” said Packebush. “It’s also nice to do that job, and get all of the gaps filled. We didn’t play down to (Sul Ross State’s) level. We played our ball, which I love. We also came out and had fun while doing our jobs.”
West Texas A&M returned to even keel, improving to 3-3 overall with a 3-1 record within the LSC. The Buffs will move to a bye week, before bringing in Eastern New Mexico for the Wagon Wheel on Oct. 18 at Bain-Schaeffer Buffalo Stadium.
On Saturday at Ellensburg, Wash., No. 16-ranked Central Washington handed the Greyhounds (1-4, 1-2 LSC) a tough 58-7 setback.
Lynn knows the rivalry quite well. The Eunice, N.M., native has taken part in the Wagon Wheel as a player, assistant coach and as a head coach for both sides.
“I don’t mean this in the wrong way, but I think I might have been in more Wagon Wheel games than just about anybody,” Lynn said. “The one thing about the Wagon Wheel on both sides, is no matter the record and it doesn’t matter what either team has done, it’s going to be a great game. Both teams will come out swinging, and (ENMU head coach Kelley Lee) does an incredible job over there. And they’re a little different with the triple option. It’ll be a great game here in two weeks.”
Packebush expressed excitement about keeping the Wagon Wheel in Canyon for another year.
“I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it,” Packebush said. “We have to defend against that triple option, so it’s going to be a little different for us. But if we’re having fun and we’re playing it like it’s our rivalry game, we’re going to run up that hill at the end and grab that wheel.”
Speaking for his side of the ball a little bit, Edwards knows that the Buffs have to keep working on themselves.
“We want to keep being a better version of ourselves,” Edwards said. “We have to keep believing in ourselves, keep working hard and keep having fun. As a receiver, we have to continue to emphasize our blocking and screen game. It’s the most selfless thing you could do. That’s how we stay on the field, which helps our brothers get their yards.”
Sul Ross remained winless, dropping to 0-3 in the LSC and 0-5 overall. The Lobos will welcome in Midwestern State (1-4, 1-2 LSC) for their own Homecoming, set for 7 p.m. next Saturday at Jackson Field in Alpine.
It didn’t take long for West Texas A&M to put points on the board, as Martinez connected with Edwards for a 24-yard touchdown pass to complete an eight-play, 75-yard drive at the 12:27 mark. With 6:49 left in the initial stanza, Gene Sledge struck paydirt from one yard away to finish off an 11-play, 59 yard drive.
Just like that, the Buffaloes grabbed a 14-0 lead. Then, the defense took on its only gut check of the evening.
The Lobos engaged in a drive that eventually took them to the WTAMU 10 yard line. However, the Buffs held firm, and turned away the Lobos on downs with 48 seconds left in the first quarter.
“They were tossing the ball a little bit, and getting this and getting that,” said Packebush, recalling the stop. “We ran a little bit of a different defense, and got to run a blitz there. We realized that we needed to play our football. Then, it was an easy stop.”
WT cashed in on that crucial stop, due to a 52-yard touchdown connection between Martinez and Zamar with 13:59 remaining in the first half. A little more than two minutes later, Martinez scored on a one-yard touchdown rush, before connecting with Edwards on a 22-yard touchdown pass with 9:11 left in the first half.
Edwards mowed over a defender before entering the endzone and celebrated his second score of the night in a unique way, by paying a quick visit to Thunder XV — WTAMU’s live mascot. At that moment, Thunder XV was lethargic inside of his pen.
“(Martinez) trusted me on my option route, and we’ve connected on plenty of reps there,” Edwards said. “I had fun getting into the endzone, and I always try to be physical and run the ball. I really wanted to hype up the buffalo, man, and I wanted to get that guy going. He was really sleepy, and wasn’t giving me much attention. We might have to work on that, even with the Herdsmen and what not.”
Lynn praised the Fredericksburg, Va., native and Colorado Mesa transfer.
“(Edwards) is awesome,” said Lynn. “He’s your typical ‘Wes Welker’ guy. He’s not the fastest, not the biggest and he’s not the strongest. But he just goes out there and catches the ball, and he’s always in the right place. He’s another one that has been a great addition for us.”
WT proceeded to put up two more scores before intermission.
At the 6:15 mark, Martinez fired a pass to redshirt sophomore Zach Phipps, who spun away from two defenders before scoring a 45-yard touchdown. With 28 seconds on the clock before halftime, redshirt freshman running back Jayden Hibbler plunged into the endzone from one yard out.
At the break, the Buffs commanded a 49-0 advantage.
Returning from the locker room, WT was able to give its reserves plenty of experience. With 1:22 left in the third quarter, senior running back Jamaal Joseph scored a five-yard touchdown.
This allowed West Texas A&M to hold an insurmountable 56-0 lead.
With 11:33 left in the game, Sul Ross did finish off a nine-play, 75-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run from freshman running back Jose Trevino. The Lobos’ first touchdown of the 2025 campaign prevented a shutout.
Before the game concluded, the Buffs did celebrate a special occasion. With seven minutes left on the clock, freshman running back Jaylin Williams trotted out on the field.
Donning the number “90” and lining up next to redshirt freshman quarterback Knox Porter, the WTAMU players cheered and chanted the nickname — “Bus” — on repeat. The Houston native finished the night with four carries for 13 yards.
“‘Bus’ is amazing,” Edwards said of his teammate. “He’s the best kid ever. Right down to earth, gets to suit up for home games and no one can tackle him at the goal line. Every day at practice, we get the chant going. I love watching that kid in short yardage situations. They can’t tackle him, he’ll fall forward every time.”
Porter was 4-of-5 with 19 yards passing, and led WT in rushing with 51 yards on seven carries, followed by senior quarterback Sean “Fats” Johnson’s 49 yards in two attempts. Phipps had 60 yards on two receptions, followed by Jamir Roberts’ 59 yards and two catches.
Junior defensive back Antonio Williams had four tackles for the Buffs, followed by three tackles each from redshirt sophomore Phineas Allen and redshirt junior Adam Whitfield.
Trevino paced the Lobos with 93 rushing yards to go along with his one touchdown. Junior Yamil Oaxaca reeled in three catches for 39 yards for Sul Ross.