SIX-MAN REWIND: District title, playoff races get clearer though decisive Week 9 slate

A Week 9 slate that looked light on competitive games on paper yielded very few of them. But the area’s playoff and district championship races continued to take shape through the lopsided results.

We also saw a number of stellar individual performances worth noting as the regular season nears its end. 

With just two weeks left before the start of the playoffs, it’s time to take a look backward at last week’s most important developments. We hope you enjoy reading our Week 9 review and encourage you to check out our Six-Man/Class 1A Central page for standings, schedules and results.

LAST WEEK’S TOP RESULTS

• Zephyr 52, Blanket 14 — Our “Six-Man Lookahead Game of the Week” wasn’t as competitive as anticipated due to a stellar effort by ZHS that saw the Bulldogs close the game with 42 unanswered points to turn what was a close game for a half into a blowout. Wyatt Stevens led the effort for Zephyr (7-1, 2-0 in District 13-1A Division II), rushing for 148 yards and three touchdowns while passing for 52 yards and two more scores. Blanket (7-1-1, 2-1), which trailed just 24-14 at halftime, was led in the loss by Kannon Kensing with 77 yards and one TD rushing and Mason Beck with 81 yards and a score receiving. For more information on this match, see Brandon McAuliffe’s game story.
• Newcastle 86, Vernon Northside 40 — Landon Martinez ran for two touchdowns and passed for two more to lead the Bobcats to a key District 6-1A DI win over the Indians. Needing a victory after dropping a 50-48 heartbreaker to Knox City in Week 8, Newcastle raced out to a 28-12 lead after one quarter and a 58-26 lead at halftime to take control before the start of the second half. The Bobcats also got two touchdowns receiving and one rushing from Mikey Soito in improving to 5-4 overall and 2-1 in league play.
• Water Valley 62, Robert Lee 50 — In what turned out to be one of the week’s most competitive games, the Wildcats held off the Cowboys for a thrilling win in District 7-1A DI action. Landon Lacy passed for 174 yards and four touchdowns while adding three touchdowns on the ground to lead Water Valley (6-2, 2-0), which also got 98 yards and three touchdowns receiving and a rushing score from Anthony Quintana. Robert Lee (6-3, 2-1), which trailed 62-36 heading to the fourth quarter, was led by Brenner Sherwood with 261 yards and three touchdowns rushing and 255 yards and two TDs passing. 
• Blackwell 72, Bronte 22 — The Hornets put themselves firmly in the District 6-1A DII title race, dominating the Longhorns from start to finish to pull into a tie atop the standings with Loraine (5-4, 2-1). Playing a Bronte squad that was coming off a big 62-61 win over LHS, Blackwell (3-6, 2-1) took control from the start, pitching a shutout in the first half to take a commanding lead into the break. The Hornets outgained Bronte (2-6, 1-1) by a 442-149 margin for the game, outrushing the Longhorns 244-115.
• Rule 68, Paint Creek 54 — Kyleik Mason ran for 334 yards and seven touchdowns and added an eighth TD receiving to fuel the Bobcats (4-5, 1-2) to an upset win over the Pirates. Hayden Trevino also had a big game for Rule, adding 188 yards and two TDs on the ground. Paint Creek was led in the loss by Marcus Gonzales, who ran for 236 yards and five touchdowns as the Pirates fell to 5-3 overall and 0-2 in district play.
• Rising Star 44, Sidney 6 — Anthony Pollard passed for 284 yards and five touchdowns, while adding 47 yards rushing and 37 yards receiving to fuel the Wildcats to a surprisingly lopsided win over the Eagles in District 13-1A DII action. The victory improved Rising Star to 4-5 overall and 1-2 in district play, while Sidney fell to 3-4 and 0-2.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

• Anthony Pollard, RB/LB, Jr., Rising Star — Hit 15 of 22 passes for 284 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for 47 yards and receiving for 37 in the Wildcats’ win over Sidney. The junior also contributed defensively, finishing with 14 tackles and four tackles for loss.
• Wyatt Stevens, QB/LB, Sr., Zephyr — Ran for 148 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 52 yards and two TDs, while adding four tackles and three interceptions on defense in the Bulldogs’ win over Blanket.
• Kyleik Mason, RB, Sr., Rule — Ran for 334 yards and seven touchdowns and received for 14 yards and another score in the Bobcats’ win over Paint Creek.
• Keegan Hayes, SB/DB, So., Benjamin — Passed for 142 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 121 yards and three scores while adding seven tackles and an interception defensively in the Mustangs’ 60-0 win over Chillicothe.
• Cameron Hernandez, RB/DL, Sr., Knox City — Ran for 199 yards and three touchdowns and added a 13-yard reception in the the Greyhounds’ 56-24 win over Bryson.
• Alex Wanderlich, SB, Sr., Hermleigh — Passed for 185 yards and six touchdowns and ran for 84 yards and another score in the Cardinals’ 55-0 win over Roby.
• Landon Lacy, SB, Jr., Water Valley — Passed for 174 yards and four touchdowns and added three more touchdowns on the ground in the Wildcats’ win over Robert Lee.
• Landon Martinez, RB/DB, Jr., Newcastle — Ran for 125 yards and two touchdowns and passed for 24 yards and two more TDs in the Bobcats’ win over Northside.
• Brenner Sherwood, SB/DB, Jr., Robert Lee — Ran for 261 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 255 yards and two TDs in the Steers’ loss to Water Valley.
• Marcus Gonzales, RB/DB, Jr., Paint Creek — Ran for 236 yards and five touchdowns, and an 11-yard reception and recorded five tackles in the Pirates’ loss to Rule.

BCP POWER RANKINGS

DIVISION I

1. Gordon (8-0) ⇔ — The top-ranked Longhorns, who have outscored their opponents 447-34 on the year, enjoyed their open date last week. They’ll get back on the field Friday with a home game against Baird.
2. May (8-0) ⇔ — The No. 4 Tigers blasted Santa Anna 72-8 in their District 14-1A DI opener last week. They’ll play Lometa on Friday before a top-10 clash against sixth-ranked Jonesboro on the final day of the regular season.
3. Westbrook (6-2) ⇔ — The No. 9 Wildcats were dominant in a 58-8 win over Highland last week, improving to 3-0 in District 7-1A play with the victory. A matchup against 7-1 Hermleigh looms in Week 11.
4. Hermleigh (7-1) ⇔ — The Cardinals, who have lost only to DII No. 1 Jayton this season, cruised to a 3-0 district start with a 55-0 win over Roby last week. They’ll play Ira on Friday before closing the regular season against Westbrook.
5. Water Valley (6-2) ⇔ — The Wildcats continued their impressive campaign, topping Robert Lee for their fourth consecutive victory. Now 2-0 in District 8-1A DI, WVHS has a clear path to the league title.
6. Knox City (7-2) ⇔ — The Greyhounds stayed perfect in District 6-1A DI play with a comfortable win over Bryson last week. If they can take care of Perrin-Whitt this week, they’ll clinch the outright district championship.
7. Newcastle (5-4) ⇔ — The Bobcats stayed in the District 6-1A DI playoff race with their 45-point-rule win over Northside. They’ll have this week off before closing the season with a home game against Bryson.
8. Veribest (6-2) ⇔ — The Falcons had the week off after falling 53-22 to Water Valley in Week 8. They’ll have to beat Robert Lee on Friday and take care of Irion County on Nov. 8 to claim District 8-1A DI’s second playoff spot.
9. Robert Lee (6-3) ⇑1 — The Steers fell to Water Valley last week but showed well in that game. Up next is a huge clash with Veribest on Friday that will likely decide the playoff fate of both teams.
10. Lometa (6-2) ⇓1 — The Hornets couldn’t keep pace with Jonesboro last week, falling 54-8. Things don’t get any easier this Friday, when Lometa will host May for its second straight game against a state-ranked opponent.

First five out — 1. Perrin-Whitt (6-2) ⇔; 2. Ira (5-3) ⇔; 3. Baird (7-2) ⇔; 4. Bryson (4-4) ⇔; 5. Highland (3-5) ⇔

DIVISION II

1. Jayton (9-0) ⇔ — If there’s a team in 1A DII that can take down the Jaybirds, it won’t likely be found in District 8-1A DII, where Jayton has outscored its opponents 162-6 on its way to a 3-0 start. Up next is Aspermont on Thursday.
2. Benjamin (5-1) ⇔ — The No. 5 Mustangs cruised past Chillicothe to improve to 2-0 in District 7-1A DII play. They’ll faceoff with Crowell this week before hosting Harrold to close out the regular season on Nov. 8.
3. Strawn (5-2) ⇔ — The No. 8 Greyhounds looked sharp after back-to-back bye weeks, routing winless Throckmorton 56-0 in their District 9-1A DII opener. They’ll travel to Moran on Friday before hosting Woodson in Week 11.
4. Richland Springs (8-0) ⇔ — The second-ranked Coyotes earned a forfeit win over Panther Creek last week to move to 2-0 in Disrict 15-1A DII play. They’ll face their biggest test of the regular season this week with a trip to Rochelle. 
5. Zephyr (7-1) ⇔ — The Bulldogs passed a major test with last week’s win over previously unbeaten Blanket. That puts Zephyr in the driver’s seat for the District 13-1A DII title with games against Sidney and Gustine remaining. 
6. Blanket (7-1-1) ⇔ — The Tigers suffered their first loss last week at Zephyr, but they’re still in good position to make the playoffs. Following an open date this week, they’ll just need to take care of Sidney (3-4, 0-2) in Week 11.
7. Gustine (6-1) ⇔ — Gustine enjoyed an open date after routing Sidney in Week 8 to improve to 1-1 in District 13-1A DII action. They’ll need to beat Rising Star and Zephyr in their last two games to get back in the playoff discussion.
8. Rochelle (4-3) ⇔ — The Hornets cruised past Brookesmith 60-16 to improve to 2-0 in District 15-1A DII. That sets up a home matchup with Richland Springs this week to decide the district championship.
9. Three Way (8-0) ⇔ — The Braves were off last week after opening District 11-1A DII play with convincing wins over Bluff Dale (45-0) and Kopperl (58-8). They’ll face, by far, their biggest test this week when No. 7 Iredell comes to town.
10. Loraine (5-4) ⇑2 —  The Bulldogs took care of business against Trent, winning 65-16 to move to 2-1 in District 6-1A DII play. They can wrap up a playoff spot this week with a victory over winless Olfen.

First five out — 1. Aspermont (6-3) ⇑2; 2. Woodson (5-3) ⇑2; 3. Paint Creek (5-3) ⇓2; 4. Blackwell (3-6) ⇑⇑⇑; 5. Rising Star (4-5) ⇑⇑⇑