SIX-MAN REWIND: Ira, Hermleigh deliver instant classic to headline exciting slate of games

Week 10 yielded some of the most competitive games of the year, including a thriller between Ira and Hermleigh in one of our two featured matchups.

That was one of many contests that helped add clarity to area district races as we approach the final week of the regular season.

Let’s dive in now and take a look at some of the other top results and performances that happened last week in our “Six-Man Rewind” column. We hope you enjoy this review of Week 10 action and encourage you to check out our Six-Man/Class 1A Central page for updated standings, results and upcoming matchups.

LAST WEEK’S TOP RESULTS

• Ira 68, Hermleigh 62 — One of two “Six-Man Lookahead” Games of the Week, this matchup more than lived up to its billing, going to down the final play. Brandt Cox hit Hudson Luft with a 2-yard touchdown pass as time expired to break a 62-all tie and lift the Bulldogs (7-2, 4-0) to the District 7-1A Division I championship-clinching win. That was the last of five touchdown passes for Cox, who also ran for a score and received for a TD. It was the second touchdown reception for Hudson Luft, while Hayden Luft and Noah Preston also had two TD catches. Ira never led by more than 10 points in the game, which featured three ties and six lead changes. The loss for Hermleigh (6-3, 3-1) spoiled an outstanding performance by Zaylan Delce, who ran for 250 yards and five touchdowns while adding 56 yards through the air on 7-of-11 passing.
• Jayton 50, Aspermont 0 — Our other Game of the Week was a lopsided affair as the top-ranked Jaybirds cruised past the previously unbeaten Hornets to clinch the District 8-1A DII title. Sean Stanaland hit three of four passes for 122 yards and a couple of scores, while Bode Ham ran for 60 yards and two touchdowns and had a pick-six defensively to lead Jayton (10-0, 4-0). Aspermont, which came in averaging 57 points per game, fell to 8-1 overall and 2-1 in league play with the loss.
• Vernon Northside 64, Bryson 42 — The Cowboys’ playoff hopes suffered a fatal blow in a hard-fought loss to the Indians, dropping Bryson (5-4 overall) to 1-2 in District 6-1A DI play —  behind leader Newcastle (6-2, 3-0), Northside (7-1, 2-1) and Perrin-Whitt (6-3, 1-2), by virtue of a 72-40 loss to the Pirates in its district opener. BHS closes the regular season against Newcastle, but even with a win, the Cowboys couldn’t leapfrog Northside or Perrin-Whitt, which also meet in their regular-season finale, due to head-to-head results. 
• Knox City 44, Perrin-Whitt 30 — The Greyhounds won’t be going to the playoffs, but they closed out their season in style, scoring a big upset over the Pirates in District 6-1A DI play. Zander Abila led the way once again for Knox City (2-8, 1-3), rushing for 245 yards and two touchdowns while adding 106 yards and three more scores through the air. The win capped a hard-luck season for the Greyhounds, who played one of the toughest schedules in the state and lost district games to Northside and Bryson by a combined 19 points. Perrin-Whitt can still make the playoffs with a win over Northside. 
• Three Way 28, Iredell 24 — Needing a win to earn the second playoff spot out of District 11-1A DII, the Braves knocked off the Dragons by the narrowest of margins to improve to 8-1 on the season and 2-1 in league play. Trailing for most of the game, Three Way took the lead in the final two minutes and held off Iredell () for the final 1:44 to secure a thrilling victory. The Braves will close the regular season with a road trip to Morgan, but they’ve already locked up a playoff spot behind Bluff Dale.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

• Addy Heard, RB, Jr., Brookesmith — Ran for 326 yards and nine touchdowns and added a 60-yard kickoff return TD in the Mustangs’ 93-87 win over Lohn.
• Zander Abila, RB, Jr., Knox City — Ran for 245 yards and two touchdowns, hit seven of 12 passes for 106 yards and three TDs and added an interception defensively in the Greyhounds’ win over Perrin-Whitt.
• Brenner Sherwood, SB, Sr., Robert Lee— Ran for 212 yards and five touchdowns and passed for 60 yards and two more scores in the Steers’ 56-6 win over Veribest.
• Chayden Woodcock, RB/DB, Jr., Zephyr — Ran for 177 yards and three touchdowns and received for 14 yards and an additional TD in the Bulldogs’ 54-20 win over Sidney.
• Pierson Walters, QB, Sr., Abilene Christian — Hit 19 of 32 passes for 242 yards and three touchdowns and ran for 119 yards and two scores in the Panthers’ 46-6 win over Keller Harvest Christian.
• Lane Goodson, RB/LB, Sr., May — Ran for 170 yards and three touchdowns, passed for 25 yards and a TD and caught a 16-yard scoring pass in the Tigers’ 56-8 win over Lometa.
• Jaxton Fullwood, RB, Jr., Highland — Ran for 217 yards and four touchdowns and had an interception on defense in the Hornets’ 36-25 win over Rotan.
• Alonso Gomez, RB, So., Gustine — Ran for 135 yards and three touchdowns, had a 14-yard reception and threw a 12-yard touchdown pass in the Tigers’ 54-8 win over Rising Star.
• Gabriel Perez, RB, So., Loraine — Ran for 169 yards and three touchdowns and had 12 tackles, a forced fumble and fumble return TD in the Bulldogs’ 62-25 win over Olfen.
• Adam Brink, RB/DB, So., Westbrook — Ran for 139 yards and three touchdowns and had a 24-yard TD reception in the Wildcats’ 73-28 win over Roby.

BCP POWER RANKINGS

DIVISION I

1. Gordon (8-0) ⇔ — The top-ranked Longhorns blasted Baird 66-0 last week and will play their first home game of the year this Friday against Gorman.
2. Water Valley (9-0) ⇔ — The No. 2 Wildcats followed their big win over Robert Lee with a 62-16 drubbing of Irion County. They’ll look to close out a perfect regular season at home against Paint Rock this week.
3. May (8-1) ⇔ — The third-ranked Tigers rolled to their seventh straight win last week, routing Lometa 56-8. They’ll play Jonesboro for the District 14 title this week.
4. Robert Lee (9-1) ⇔ — The No. 7 Steers closed out their regular season with a lopsided win over Veribest. They’ll enjoy an open date this week before kicking off what they hope will be a deep playoff run.
5. Ira (8-2) ⇔ — The 10th-ranked Bulldogs locked up the District 8 championship with last week’s win over Hermleigh. They’ll host Highland this week in what amounts to a playoff tune-up.
6. Newcastle (6-2) ⇔ — The No. 9 Bobcats had last week off, giving them extra time to prep for this week’s game at Bryson. With the top seed in District 6 already wrapped up, this game will be about staying sharp and keeping momentum heading into the postseason.
7. Westbrook (7-2) ⇔ — The Wildcats took care of Roby last week, setting up a winner-take-all matchup with Hermleigh this week for District 7’s second playoff spot.
8. Hermleigh (6-3) ⇑1 — The Cardinals came up just short against Ira last week, putting them in a tough spot this week as they head to Westbrook for a must-win matchup.
9. Perrin-Whitt (6-3) ⇓1 — The Pirates dropped one to Knox City, but the upset didn’t impact their playoff hopes. With a win this week over Northside, they’ll still take the No. 2 seed out of District 6.
10. Bryson (5-4) ⇔ — The Cowboys saw their postseason hopes dashed with a loss to Northside. And they’ve likely got another loss coming with Newcastle up next. 

First five out — Knox City (2-8) ⇑3, Gorman (4-5) ⇑1, Roby (5-4) ⇓2, Veribest (2-7) ⇓2, Highland (3-6) ⇑⇑⇑

DIVISION II

1. Jayton (10-0) ⇔ — The No. 1 Jaybirds passed their final regular-season test with flying colors. Next up: their bid to repeat as Division II state champs.
2. Richland Springs (7-1) ⇔ — The third-ranked Coyotes had no trouble whatsoever in a 62-0 win over Rochelle. They’ll take a seven-game win streak into this week’s regular-season finale at Lohn.
3. Benjamin (7-0) ⇔ — The No. 4 Mustangs, stayed unbeaten with a 49-0 win over Crowell. They’ve now outscored their opponents 412-57 heading into this week’s game at Harrold.
4. Strawn (8-1) ⇔ — The sixth-ranked Greyhounds picked up their sixth straight win in a 74-0 win over Moran. It was the third consecutive shutout for Strawn, which travels to Woodson this week.
5. Bluff Dale (8-1) ⇔ — The Bobcats took last week off ahead of this week’s road trip to Kopperl. Bluff Dale, which will ride a seven-game win streak into that game, has already locked up District 11’s top playoff spot.
6. Zephyr (8-1) ⇔ — The Bulldogs took care of business against Sidney last week and can close out a perfect run through District 13 with a win at Gustine this week.
7. Blanket (7-2) ⇑2 — The Tigers, who are in line to take the No. 2 playoff seed out of District 13, were idle last week. They’ll travel to Sidney on Friday to close out the regular season. 
8. Aspermont (8-1) ⇓1 — The No. 10 Hornets saw their season-opening win streak end with a blowout loss to Jayton. They’ll try to regroup in time to beat a quality Paint Creek squad for District 8’s second playoff spot.
9. Three Way (8-1) ⇓1 — The Braves locked up a playoff spot with last week’s win over Iredell. They’ll travel to Morgan this week before opening the postseason.
10. Gustine (6-2) ⇔ — The Tigers blasted Rising Star 54-8 to keep their narrow playoff hopes alive. But they’ll have to beat Zephyr this week to have any shot at an 11th game.

First five out — Paint Creek (7-2) ⇔, Bronte (6-3) ⇔, Guthrie (7-2) ⇑1, Rochelle (3-6) ⇓1, Rising Star (5-5) ⇔