SIX-MAN REWIND: Area teams start separating themselves as district play begins for most area leagues

With Week 7 came the opening of district play for most six-man teams in the Big Country Preps coverage area. And we already have some separation being created in a number of area leagues.

Included in those is District 13-1A Division II, which saw Blanket down Gustine 57-12 in our our “Big Country Lookahead” Game of the Week.

But that was one of many interesting results we’ll be discussing in this week’s “Big Country Rewind” column. We hope you enjoy this look back at Week 7 and encourage you to check out our Six-Man/Class 1A Central page for more information on your favorite team(s).

LAST WEEK’S TOP RESULTS

• Blanket 57, Gustine 12 — Kannon Kensing ran for 223 yards and five touchdowns, and Mason Beck ran for 164 yards and three scores to fuel BHS to a big District 13-1 Division II win over their Tiger counterparts. Behind that duo, Blanket (6-1 overall) ran for all 387 of its yards to open league play at 1-0. Gustine fell to 4-2 overall and 0-1 in district action with the loss.
• Vernon Northside 68, Knox City 58 — Zander Abila passed for 244 yards and five touchdowns and ran for 121 yards and three more scores, but it wasn’t enough as the Greyhounds dropped a thriller to the Indians. Hunter Lerma (59 yards, 1 TD rushing; 78 yards, 2 TDs receiving) and Chase Rowland (4-98, 2 TDs receiving) also had big days for Knox City, which fell to 1-6 on the year and 0-1 in District 6-1A DI play with the loss. Northside (6-0 overall) improved to 1-0 in league play with the win.
• Newcastle 53, Perrin-Whitt 14 — The Bobcats scored a big victory over the Pirates in the District 6-1A DI opener for both squads. Newcastle (4-2, 1-0) allowed 218 yards, including 167 yards rushing, but the Bobcats intercepted Perrin-Whitt quarterback Cole Keeney three times to help pull away for the blowout win. The loss dropped the Pirates to 5-2 overall and 0-1 in district play.
• Ira 64, Roby 19 — The Bulldogs took care of business with a lopsided win over the Lions to take a 1-0 district record into this week’s game against No. 8 Westbrook. It was the third win in a row for Ira (4-2 overall), while Roby (4-2, 0-1) had a three-game winning streak snapped with the loss.
• Bluff Dale 34, Three Way 29 — Alex Saucedo passed for 140 yards and a touchdown, ran for 120 yards and a score and received for 61 yards and a TD to fuel the Bobcats to a thrilling win over the Braves in a key District 11-1A DII matchup. Austin Saucedo also had a productive day, passing for two touchdowns while adding scores rushing and receiving. With those two leading the way, Bluff Dale (6-1. 1-0) raced out to a 28-14 halftime lead and held off Three Way (6-1, 0-1) with a fourth-quarter shutout.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

• Keegan Hayes, QB/RB, Jr., Benjamin — Threw for 233 yards and three touchdowns on 8-of-10 passing, ran for 121 yards and three scores, had a 30-yard touchdown reception and added an interception and two fumble recoveries defensively in the Mustangs’ 54-0 win over Guthrie.
• Kannon Kensing, RB, Sr., Blanket — Ran for 223 yards and five touchdowns and added 12 tackles and a forced fumble defensively in the Tigers’ win over Gustine.
• Brenner Sherwood, SB, Sr., Robert Lee — Ranfor 235 yards and five touchdowns, passed for 33 yards and had an interception and a forced fumble on defense in the Steers’ 54-8 win over Irion County.
• Alex Saucedo, utility back, Jr., Bluff Dale — Went 8-of-13 passing for 140 yards and a touchdown, ran for 120 yards and another score and received 61 yards and a TD in the Bobcats’ win over Three Way.
• Caleb Browne, QB, Sr., Westbrook — Was 8-of-10 passing for 194 yards and five touchdowns and added 23 yards on the ground in the Wildcats’ 68-14 win over Rotan.
• Chayden Woodcock, RB/DB, Jr., Zephyr — Ran for 115 yards and five touchdowns, had a 21-yard reception and intercepted a pass in the Bulldogs’ 53-8 win over Rising Star.
• Brock Brown, QB/LB, Sr.,, Santa Anna — Passed for 164 yards and two touchdowns and had 21 tackles and three tackles for loss in the Mountaineers’ 28-20 win over Woodson.
• Caleb Storey, RB/LB, So., Panther Creek — Ran for 115 yards and three touchdowns, received for 17 yards and another score and recovered a fumble in the Panthers’ 49-0 win over Lohn.
• Mason Beck, RB/DL, Sr., Blanket — Ran for 164 yards and three touchdowns and had 11 tackles defensively vs. Gustine.
• Pierson Walters, QB, Sr., Abilene Christian — Hit eight of 12 passes for 157 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 30 yards and another TD in the Panthers’ 54-8 win over Weatherford Christian. 

BCP POWER RANKINGS

DIVISION I

1. Gordon (6-0) ⇔ — The top-ranked Longhorns continue their charge toward a third consecutive state championship. After kicking off District 13 play with a 56-0 triumph over winless Lingleville, they’ll travel to Ranger this week.
2. Water Valley (6-0) ⇔ — The second-ranked Wildcats had last week off, giving them extra time to prepare for District 8 play. Following a game at Veribest this week, they’ll host No. 5 Robert Lee for a huge matchup in Week 9. 
3. May (6-1) ⇔ — The No. 3 Tigers closed out nondistrict play with their fifth consecutive win, routing Rocksprings 60-0. They’ll take this week off before opening District 14 play at Santa Anna on Oct. 24.
4. Robert Lee (7-0) ⇔ — The Longhorns stayed unbeaten with a lopsided win over Irion County last week. They’ll host Paint Rock on Friday before traveling to Water Valley on Oct. 24.
5. Westbrook (5-1) ⇔ — The Wildcats routed Rotan to kick off their District 7 schedule. They’ll travel to Ira for a big game this week.
6. Newcastle (4-2) ⇔ — The Bobcats bounced back from losses to May and Jayton with a big district-opening win over Perrin-Whitt. They’ll travel to Knox City this week before hosting undefeated Vernon Northside in Week 9.
7. Perrin-Whitt (5-2) ⇔ — The Pirates had a four-game winning streak snapped with their loss to Newcastle. Now they’ll likely need wins over Bryson, Knox City and Northside in order to claim District 6’s second playoff spot.
8. Ira (4-2) ⇔ — The Bulldogs had little trouble with Roby last week in their District 7 opener. But things get much tougher this week with a home game against No. 8 Westbrook.
9. Hermleigh (4-2) ⇔ — The Cardinals dominated Highland 74-12 to open District 7 play. They’ll take on Rotan and Roby the next two weeks before closing the regular season with big games against Ira and Westbrook.
10. Bryson (4-2) ⇔ — The Cowboys had last week off, giving them extra time to prepare for this week’s matchup against Perrin-Whitt. This is a virtual playoff eliminator with Newcastle looking like the clear favorite to win District 6.

First five out — Roby (4-2) ⇔, Veribest (2-5) ⇑⇑⇑, Knox City (1-6) ⇓1, Gorman (2-5) ⇑⇑⇑, Rotan (2-4) ⇔

DIVISION II

1. Jayton (7-0) ⇔ — The top-ranked Jaybirds kicked off District 8 play with a 63-8 win over a solid Paint Creek squad. They’ll take on overmatched teams from Rule and Lueders-Avoca the next two weeks before closing out league play with unbeaten Aspermont.
2. Richland Springs (5-1) ⇔ — The Coyotes cruised past Brookesmith 69-0 in their District 15 opener. They’ll step out of district to take on Leander Founders Classical this week.
3. Benjamin (5-0) ⇔ — The Mustangs stayed unbeaten with a 54-0 win over Guthrie in their District 7 opener. They’ll take Week 8 off before traveling to 6-1 Chillicothe on Oct. 24.
4. Strawn (5-1) ⇔ — They Greyhounds were idle last week. They’ll return to action Friday with a road trip to Azle Christian, before opening District 9 play in Week 9 with a road date at Throckmorton.
5. Aspermont (7-0) ⇔ — The Hornets blasted rule 56-6 last week in their District 8 opener. They’ve not outscored their opponents 396-66 heading into this week’s game against Lueders-Avoca.
6. Zephyr (6-1) ⇔ — The Bulldogs kicked off District 13 play with a blowout win over Rising Star. After an open date this week, they’ll travel to Blanket for a big matchup in Week 9. 
7. Bluff Dale (6-1) ⇑1 — The Bobcats move up a spot after earning a hard-fought win over Three Way. They’ll play another big one this week against Iredell with a chance to take control of the District 11 title race.
8. Three Way (6-1) ⇓1 — The Braves had their season-opening six-game win streak snapped last week by Bluff Dale. They’ll need to bounce back quickly with 5-1 Kopperl up next.
9. Blanket (6-1) ⇑1 — The Tigers picked up a huge win last week over Gustine, putting themselves in good position to earn a playoff spot out of District 13. After a road trip to Rising Star this week, they’ll host Zephyr in Week 9, likely with the district championship on the line.
10. Gustine (4-2) ⇓1 — The Tigers’ playoff hopes took a hit with last week’s loss to Blanket. Now, they’ll need to win their next two to set up a big matchup in Week 11 with Zephyr.

First five out — Paint Creek (5-2) ⇔, Bronte (4-3) ⇑3, Rising Star (4-3) ⇓1, Trent (5-1) ⇔, Guthrie (4-2) ⇓2