Month: August 2019

by Evan Ren

FEATURE: Marshall, offensive line completely change the Hawley dynamic

HAWLEY — From 2014-2017, the name most often associated with Hawley football was record-setting quarterback Quay Stokes. 

During his four-year stint as the varsity starter at HHS, the Bearcats posted a 33-15 overall record — the most successful four-season run in the history of the program. 

With the graduation of Stokes, however, the Bearcats were forced to adopt a new playing style last season in the hopes of retaining the momentum. 

Few imagined the level of success they would eventually find, or the method by which they would achieve it. But the Bearcats closed with a 10-2 mark in 2018 (matching its best season record ever), led by a huge offensive line and a bruising, relatively unknown junior running back named Colton Marshall. 

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by Evan Ren

HAWLEY TEAM PREVIEW: It’s no secret, Bearcats plan to get physical

HAWLEY — It doesn’t take Vince Lombardi to examine this year’s Hawley’s football roster and surmise what coach Mitch Ables’ modus operandi will be.

The Bearcats will be playing smash-mouth football — perhaps to an even greater extent than they did during last season’s 10-2 run that saw them suffer a heartbreaking loss to Sundown in the area round.

Put simply, the Bearcats have the equipment to line up, hit you in the face and dare you to stop them. And they can be expected to do precisely that in 2019.

To begin with, there’s All-Big Country Preps running back Colton Marshall to contend with. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder amassed 1,935 yards and 27 touchdowns a year ago, much of which came after breaking tackles or flat-out running over people.

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by Evan Ren

FEATURE: Stamford’s Ronnie Casey talks Bulldog football with Evan Ren

STAMFORD — Since taking over Wayne Hutchinson’s highly successful Stamford program in 2014, coach Ronnie Casey has seen his share of winning.

But in taking over at SHS, Casey not only had a tough act to follow, but was setting himself up for comparisons that could be considered  unfair.

Casey now visits with Big Country Preps sportswriter Evan Ren to discuss his tenure at Stamford, what it has been like, and what he anticipates in the future.  

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by Evan Ren

STAMFORD TEAM PREVIEW: Line play to dictate how far Bulldogs get

STAMFORD — While few are doubting that the Stamford Bulldogs will field another winner in 2019, the question of how good they will be is largely up in the air. 

Yes, Stamford was 10-2 a year ago, pushing two rounds deep into the playoffs and yes, they set a number of offensive records in doing so. 

But a large number of the players who helped the high-flying Bulldogs to an eye-popping campaign last season, have been handed their diplomas. It is now the task of coach Ronnie Casey to replace standouts such as quarterback Peyton Bevel and receiver Trace Edwards with just 10 lettermen to start with. 

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by Evan Ren

FEATURE: Winters’ Jackson plans to block his way into playing rotation

Sema’Jae Jackson

WINTERS — He’s the fastest man wearing a Winters uniform. In fact, Sema’Jae Jackson is one of the fastest football players in the Big Country. 

A legitimate 4.4 man in the 40-yard dash equipped with above average hands, the senior slotback has had one serious weakness in his game that preventing him from getting more touches: blocking. 

That’s generally a big no-no in the ground-based flexbone offense, where slot backs are often called upon to deliver blocks downfield. 

Jackson, however, has come to realize this and is planning on expanding his game — enough to become a regular part of the offense and the big play threat his skill set equips him to be. 

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by Evan Ren

WINTERS TEAM PREVIEW: Blizzards believe they can retain momentum from 2018

WINTERS — A year ago, the Winters Blizzards surged from a 5-6 record in 2017 to a 8-4 mark, fueled largely by the expansion of capabilities in its flexbone offense. 

Where once there was strictly a straight-ahead power game, the Blizzards implemented and executed the very thing the flexbone was originally designed to deliver: the triple option. 

It proved crucial from the outset, with a 5-0 start and an eventual No. 3 seed in a brutal district behind powerhouses Hawley (10-2) and Stamford (9-3).  

The Blizzards’ offensive production jumped from 22.5 points per game in 2017 to 30.3 a year ago and their points allowed (helped by greater ball control) fell from 32.5 to 19.6. 

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by Daniel Youngblood

FEATURE: Gabehart a selfless leader for young Forsan Buffaloes

Forsan receiver/linebacker Jonathon Gabehart takes his role as a two-way standout very seriously. He takes his role as the Buffaloes’ leader even more so.

One of few seniors on a roster dominated by sophomores, Gabehart views the guidance he provides and example he sets for his younger teammates as his biggest responsibility as a player.

So it should come as little surprise that his goals for his final high school season are just a little different than the average senior’s.

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by Daniel Youngblood

FORSAN TEAM PREVIEW: Exciting young Buffs seek to compete in 2019

FORSAN — Last season, Forsan finished 1-9 with one of the area’s youngest teams. A year later, the Buffaloes will still field a youthful roster, but coach Jason Phillips feels the experience gained during that 2018 campaign will pay off in the way of wins this fall.

Returning 15 of the 22 players that played varsity ball last year, Forsan will bring back seven starters on both offense and defense. And while that still leaves a few vacancies to fill with first-year starters, the Buffs will be doing so with young varsity reserves and call-ups from a 7-3 junior varsity team.

 With more established talent at the top of his roster and some promising newcomers joining the mix behind them, Phillips has his sights set on a playoff return. And though he acknowledges that his program’s still building, he wants his team focused on that same goal as well.

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by Evan Ren

FEATURE: Albany coach Denney Faith talks about the 300-win milestone

Denney Faith addresses his team during a 2019 playoff game

ALBANY —It will be among the top stories in the Big Country during the upcoming high school football season, and it won’t lack for attention. 

Television, radio, newspapers and websites will descend upon Albany to ask long-time coach Denney Faith about the 300-win milestone that he is poised to reach with just one more win. 

Faith, however, could do without all of the fuss. Talking about the milestone, which he narrowly missed during last year’s 9-6 campaign, is something he’d prefer talking about post-season, or better still, post-retirement.  

Nonetheless, Faith (299-101-4) agreed to speak about the approaching 300 mark and all that entails in this Q&A with  BigCountryPreps sportswriter Evan Ren . 

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by Evan Ren

ALBANY TEAM PREVIEW: Lions sporting deep, talented roster

ALBANY — If ever a tale of two seasons was told in Albany, 2018 would have been the year. 

Having suffered through its first 0-5 start since the mid 1950s, the Lions awakened heading into district, reeling off five straight wins, including a victory over a favored Hamlin team. AHS went on to knock off four straight teams in postseason play, including Hamlin again before falling in the 2A DII state semis to Gruver. 

The question heading into 2019 is, can the Lions carry their late-season momentum into this year? 

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by Evan Ren

FEATURE: Hamlin’s Austin “The Beast” Lozano a force to be reckoned with

HAMLIN — To some degree, dunking a basketball is a measure of athletic prowess.  But when you’re 6-foot-1 and weigh 299 pounds, having the ability to “jam” borders on unbelievable. 

Hamlin defensive lineman Austin “The Beast” Lozano realized this, so he had himself videotaped throwing it down. The display encapsulates the amount of explosive power the senior brings to the table — power that the Hamlin coaching staff plans to take full advantage of this season.    

Just where the 17-year-old will line up and how often, is still in the planning stages as the Hamlin staff tries to figure how to minimize the attention he’ll be getting from the opposition. 

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by Evan Ren

HAMLIN TEAM PREVIEW: Lucas’ Pied Pipers are loaded

                  Braydin Warner

HAMLIN — If his 95-39 record through 12 seasons at Hamlin doesn’t say it loud enough, coach Russell Lucas has built one of the most consistent football programs in the Big Country. 

So when chats at the water cooler include the topic of Lucas having his best team ever this year, that’s significant. 

And make no mistake, those preseason conversations are common.  

Why shouldn’t they be?

The Pipers return seven offensive and nine defensive starters among 14 lettermen from a 12-2 team.

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by Evan Ren

FEATURE: Haskell’s Wright consistently does what’s right

HASKELL — If one were to envision what a West Texas high school football player is all about, certain character traits may come to mind. 

Hard-working. Coachable. Respectful. Disciplined. And perhaps first and foremost, resistant to adversity — not unlike the traits exhibited by Haskell senior Caleb Wright, who was selected for this feature by the HHS coach staff for the very reasons just listed. 

Wright, who will contend for valedictorian honors, isn’t a large player. He stands in at 5-10 and weighs 180 pounds. He isn’t slow, but he won’t create a sonic boom either, checking in with a 40 time of 4.9. 

Put simply, he’s not going to be playing at USC after graduation. But pound-for-pound, one would be hard-pressed to find a player who gets more miles per genetic gallon. 

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by Evan Ren

HASKELL TEAM PREVIEW: Indians hoping to build on surprising 2018 season

HASKELL — More experience, more depth and a greater knowledge of coach Brian Hodnett’s system are all check marks in the plus column for Haskell in 2019. 

Whether or not this translates into a better product, however, may depend on the Indians’ ability to replace a few key faces that have been lost to graduation. 

Gone are Reed Roewe, Zander Garcia and Aaron Skiles — important contributors to last season’s late flurry that saw the Indians overcome a 1-5 start to finish 4-7 and reach area round of the playoffs.  On the plus side, Haskell has seven starters on both sides of the ball among 16 lettermen to act as compensation. 

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by Daniel Youngblood

FEATURE: Cross Plains’ Hernandez a game-changer from ‘Slash’ role

CROSS PLAINS — Cross Plains senior Caleb Hernandez is too young to remember Kordell Stewart and the all-purpose skills that earned him his nickname in the late 1990s. But coach Daniel Purvis’ do-it-all standout was the “Slash” of the Big Country a year ago.

Getting time at quarterback, running back and receiver, Hernandez’s versatility made him a truly unique weapon for the 2018 Buffaloes. And his prowess in the defensive backfield only added to his value as coach Daniel Purvis’ Swiss Army Knife.

Now entering his final high school season as one of just seven returning lettermen for Cross Plains, Hernandez could have even more placed on his shoulders this fall. But like the true utility man he is, he welcomes whatever comes his way.

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by Daniel Youngblood

CROSS PLAINS TEAM PREVIEW: Young Buffs will have to grow up quickly

The Cross Plains Buffaloes enter the season with more questions to answer than just about any team in the Big Country, but ninth-year coach Daniel Purvis is more excited than anxious to see how his team responds.

The Buffs return just seven lettermen from last year’s 7-4 team after graduating all five of their offensive line starters and their tight end. Yet Purvis still has hopes that his team will extend its current postseason streak to a fifth consecutive season in 2019.

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by Evan Ren

FEATURE: Martinez to bring slashback look to Roscoe

ROSCOE — In the mid 1990s, former Pittsburgh Steeler Kordell Stewart inspired the name of a new combo position in the NFL, known as the “slashback.” 

It was a simplified way of describing the QB/WR/RB role he played while helping the Steelers reach the Super Bowl in 1996. 

Some 23 years and equal number of tax brackets away from Stewart, the Roscoe Plowboys are about unleash their own scaled-down version of the slash in Junior Martinez. 

Only in the case of Martinez, there’s a few extra slashes to include QB/WR/RB/W/DB/P/PR/KR.

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by Evan Ren

ROSCOE TEAM PREVIEW: Plowboys will live or die with up-tempo attack

ROSCOE — If the Roscoe football team isn’t successful in 2019, it won’t be due to a lack of aggression.

The Plowboys, for better or worse, will remain in full-blown attack mode this season, throwing the football in their up-tempo scheme to utilize a solid group of skill personnel.

Will the approach be enough to compensate for youthful offensive and defensive lines? Roscoe intends to find out by spreading the field and keeping its foot on the gas.

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by Daniel Youngblood

FEATURE: Munday QB Thornton ready to shoulder heavy load for youthful Moguls

Last year, in his first season as an 11-man football player, Cameron Thornton provided a much-needed rushing threat to Munday’s flexbone offense. 

This season, with the Moguls set to transition back to their familiar spread look, Thornton’s ready to show he has what it takes to be a more complete quarterback.

Thornton rushed for 921 yards and five touchdowns for an 0-10 MHS squad in 2018, but he never got much chance to showcase his arm in the Moguls’ run-based scheme. That will change this fall in what could be one of the more pass-heavy offenses coach Patrick Corcoran has ever had, and the former Rotan Yellowhammer spreadback couldn’t be more eager for the opportunity.

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by Daniel Youngblood

MUNDAY TEAM PREVIEW: Depth-challenged Moguls seek improvement

Competing at the Class 2A level with a 1A enrollment, Munday coach Patrick Corcoran knows better than most the role numbers play in a high school program’s success.

When the Moguls have had the bodies to compete, they’ve done so at an extraordinarily high level — posting a 120-51 record since 2005 with state titles in 2007 and 2012 and a state runner-up finish in 2011.

Unfortunately, there’s a flip side to that, as Munday experienced during a tough 0-10 campaign in 2018. And with just 13 lettermen back from that squad, including four starters on both sides of the ball, the Moguls could be in for another rebuilding year.

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by Brandon McAuliffe

BIG COUNTRY PREPS SIX-MAN PREVIEW: Class 1A Division I

Three Big Country teams cracked the top 15 in the Class 1A Division I preseason poll, laying the foundation for what should be another exciting season at that level. Gorman heads the list at No. 7 after posting an 8-5 record a year ago, while a deep and experienced Ira squad checked in at No. 11 and Knox City was ranked 14th.

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by Brandon McAuliffe

BIG COUNTRY PREPS SIX-MAN PREVIEW: Class 1A Division II

This season shapes up with a lot of promise for the Big Country in the Class 1A Division II ranks with four teams in the top 10 and six in the top-20 to start of the year. The area has the two-time defending state champion in Strawn, but the Greyhounds are ranked second in preseason polls behind Josh Stanaland’s Jayton squad.

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by Daniel Youngblood

BCP Podcast No. 57: Evan, Daniel chat with longtime sportswriter Mike Lee

Mike Lee has been covering sports in the Big Country and Concho Valley areas on a full- or part-time basis for the better part of four decades. During that time, he has seen many memorable games, covered a number of notable teams and athletes, and picked up some funny stories in his travels.

This week, Mike took a few minutes to chat with Big Country Preps’ Evan Ren and Daniel Youngblood about some his experiences and the sports journalism business for the Capital Farm Credit Wednesday Night Podcast.

Also in this episode, Evan and Daniel share some of their stories from the road after completing the annual Big Country football photo tour and discuss some of their takeaways from the early-season practices they’ve seen throughout the area.

Continue to check back at BigCountryPreps.com each Wednesday night at 7 p.m. when Evan and Dan discuss the current happenings in Big Country High School sports — often with an interesting sports figure from around the area.

You can also peruse our BCP Podcast archive, which features dozens of our previous shows with prominent coaches and Big Country media fixtures. 

Inquiries regarding these podcasts may be directed to Evan Ren at Evan.Ren@BigCountryPreps.com. 

If you have a suggested topic of conversation or a recommended guest, don’t hesitate to contact us! 

BCP PODAST ARCHIVE 

BCP GOLDTHWAITE PHOTO ARCHIVE

BIG COUNTRY PREPS FACEBOOK PAGE 

BIG COUNTRY PREPS TWITTER PAGE 

by Daniel Youngblood

BCP Podcast No. 56: Josh Stanaland talks Jayton football with Evan, Daniel

Jayton’s Josh Stanaland has fielded a consistently competitive team during his near-decade long stint as the Jaybirds head football coach. Entering this season with the top ranked team in Class 1A Division II, this may be his best squad yet.

Earlier this week, Stanaland spent a few minutes chatting with Big Country Preps’ Evan Ren and Daniel Youngblood about this team, his program and the state of the six-man game for this week’s Capital Farm Credit Wednesday Night Podcast.

Also in this episode, Evan and Daniel discuss some of the schematic shifts and trends they’ve seen in the 11-man game in recent years.

Continue to check back at BigCountryPreps.com each Wednesday night at 7 p.m. when Evan and Dan discuss the current happenings in Big Country High School sports — often with an interesting sports figure from around the area.

You can also peruse our BCP Podcast archive, which features dozens of our previous shows with prominent coaches and Big Country media fixtures. 

Inquiries regarding these podcasts may be directed to Evan Ren at Evan.Ren@BigCountryPreps.com. 

If you have a suggested topic of conversation or a recommended guest, don’t hesitate to contact us! 

BCP PODAST ARCHIVE 

BCP JAYTON PHOTO ARCHIVE

BIG COUNTRY PREPS FACEBOOK PAGE 

BIG COUNTRY PREPS TWITTER PAGE 

by Daniel Youngblood

BCP COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: Abilene High Eagles

Football is fast approaching, and we at BigCountryPreps.com are committed to bringing you the information you need to prepare for your favorite team’s season.

We’ll be releasing our Big Country Preps Preseason Football Preview, the most comprehensive look at the upcoming Big Country football season anywhere, on Friday, Aug. 16. But you won’t have to wait until then to sate your gridiron appetite.

Running through the first day of fall football practice on Aug. 5, we’ll be spotlighting each 11-man team in the area and posing some of the key questions they’ll face in 2019 as part of our “Countdown to Two-a-Days” series.

After featuring Cooper earlier this afternoon, we wrap up our series in District 3-6A with the Abilene High Eagles. We hope you enjoyed our countdown.

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by Daniel Youngblood

BCP COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: Cooper Cougars

Football is fast approaching, and we at BigCountryPreps.com are committed to bringing you the information you need to prepare for your favorite team’s season.

We’ll be releasing our Big Country Preps Preseason Football Preview, the most comprehensive look at the upcoming Big Country football season anywhere, on Friday, Aug. 16. But you won’t have to wait until then to sate your gridiron appetite.

Running through the first day of fall football practice on Aug. 5, we’ll be spotlighting each 11-man team in the area and posing some of the key questions they’ll face in 2019 as part of our “Countdown to Two-a-Days” series.

After featuring Wylie on Sunday, we move to District 2-5A Division I with the Cooper Cougars. We will wrap up our series with a look at the Abilene High Eagles later today.

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by Daniel Youngblood

BCP COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: Wylie Bulldogs

Football is fast approaching, and we at BigCountryPreps.com are committed to bringing you the information you need to prepare for your favorite team’s season.

We’ll be releasing our Big Country Preps Preseason Football Preview, the most comprehensive look at the upcoming Big Country football season anywhere, on Friday, Aug. 16. But you won’t have to wait until then to sate your gridiron appetite.

Running through the first day of fall football practice on Aug. 5, we’ll be spotlighting each 11-man team in the area and posing some of the key questions they’ll face in 2019 as part of our “Countdown to Two-a-Days” series.

After featuring Big Spring on Saturday, we move to District 3-5A Division II with the Wylie Bulldogs. On Monday, we will wrap up our series with a look at the Cooper Cougars and Abilene High Eagles on Monday.

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by Daniel Youngblood

BCP COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: Big Spring Steers

Football is fast approaching, and we at BigCountryPreps.com are committed to bringing you the information you need to prepare for your favorite team’s season.

We’ll be releasing our Big Country Preps Preseason Football Preview, the most comprehensive look at the upcoming Big Country football season anywhere, on Friday, Aug. 16. But you won’t have to wait until then to sate your gridiron appetite.

Running through the first day of fall football practice on Aug. 5, we’ll be spotlighting each 11-man team in the area and posing some of the key questions they’ll face in 2019 as part of our “Countdown to Two-a-Days” series.

After featuring Brownwood and Stephenville on Friday, we move to District 2-4A Division I with the Big Spring Steers. On Sunday, we will take a look at the Wylie Bulldogs, followed by the Cooper Cougars and Abilene High Eagles on Monday.

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by Daniel Youngblood

BCP COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: Stephenville Yellow Jackets

Football is fast approaching, and we at BigCountryPreps.com are committed to bringing you the information you need to prepare for your favorite team’s season.

We’ll be releasing our Big Country Preps Preseason Football Preview, the most comprehensive look at the upcoming Big Country football season anywhere, on Friday, Aug. 16. But you won’t have to wait until then to sate your gridiron appetite.

Running through the first day of fall football practice on Aug. 5, we’ll be spotlighting each 11-man team in the area and posing some of the key questions they’ll face in 2019 as part of our “Countdown to Two-a-Days” series.

After featuring Snyder on Thursday, we move to District 5-4A Division I with the Brownwood Lions and the Stephenville Yellow Jackets. On Saturday, we will take a look at the Big Spring Steers, followed by the Wylie Bulldogs on Sunday.

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by Daniel Youngblood

BCP COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: Brownwood Lions

Football is fast approaching, and we at BigCountryPreps.com are committed to bringing you the information you need to prepare for your favorite team’s season.

We’ll be releasing our Big Country Preps Preseason Football Preview, the most comprehensive look at the upcoming Big Country football season anywhere, on Friday, Aug. 16. But you won’t have to wait until then to sate your gridiron appetite.

Running through the first day of fall football practice on Aug. 5, we’ll be spotlighting each 11-man team in the area and posing some of the key questions they’ll face in 2019 as part of our “Countdown to Two-a-Days” series.

After featuring Snyder on Thursday, we move to District 5-4A Division I with the Brownwood Lions and the Stephenville Yellow Jackets. On Saturday, we will take a look at the Big Spring Steers, followed by the Wylie Bulldogs on Sunday.

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by Daniel Youngblood

BCP COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: Snyder Tigers

Football is fast approaching, and we at BigCountryPreps.com are committed to bringing you the information you need to prepare for your favorite team’s season.

We’ll be releasing our Big Country Preps Preseason Football Preview, the most comprehensive look at the upcoming Big Country football season anywhere, on Friday, Aug. 16. But you won’t have to wait until then to sate your gridiron appetite.

Running through the first day of fall football practice on Aug. 5, we’ll be spotlighting each 11-man team in the area and posing some of the key questions they’ll face in 2019 as part of our “Countdown to Two-a-Days” series.

After featuring Sweetwater on Wednesday, we stay in District 1-4A Division II with the Sweetwater Mustangs. On Friday, we will take a look at the Brownwood Lions and Stephenville Yellow Jackets, followed by the Big Spring Steers on Saturday.

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