SIX-MAN LOOKAHEAD: Nine area teams remain in star-studded slate of region finals action

We’ve reached the third week of the playoffs and the rubber has hit the road at the six-man level. Every team remaining is a heavy-hitter, which makes every game on this week’s slate of region finals matchups a marquee-worthy affair.

With the state semifinals up next and a trip to Arlington within reach, the nine area teams remaining in the six-man playoffs will all be looking to play their best ball this week. And with four all-area matchups to look forward to Friday, we’re guaranteed to see at least four teams from the Big Country Preps coverage survive to play another game.

It’s time now to preview our Thanksgiving week matchups in this week’s “Six-Man Lookahead” column. We hope you enjoy this preview of of an action-packed week.

THIS WEEK’S MATCHUPS

Robert Lee (11-1) vs. Water Valley (12-0) — A rematch of an Oct. 24 district matchup that saw the Wildcats top the Steers 67-30 to hand Robert Lee its only loss to date, this meeting of top-five Division I teams seemed as inevitable as the first matchup, which decided the District 8 title. Water Valley, which has been ranked No. 2 behind two-time defending state champion Gordon for most of the season, is still unbeaten after rolling through Hermleigh (62-14) and Newcastle (64-29) to open the playoffs, while RLHS had little trouble in postseason routs of Ira (60-14) and Turkey Valley (63-6). The Wildcats, who are led by Landon Lacy, Boston Wiese and Branson Lacy, are favored to knock off the Steers again. But do-it-all senior Brenner Sherwood gives Robert Lee a chance in any game it plays.
Gordon (11-0) vs. May (11-1) — The Tigers earned the region championship meeting with the Longhorns that they couldn’t a year ago, blasting Medina 72-24 last week in their second-round game. But the reward for that is a meeting with the Longhorns, which hasn’t been much of a prize for anyone who has played Gordon the past three years. This season, in particular, only one team has played the Longhorns within 46 points, and that was a quality 11-man outfit from Thorndale … which still left the field a 54-21 loser. Odds are strong that Stryker Reed, Ry Reed and Co. are headed toward their third consecutive title. But Lane Goodson, Kobey Morris and the Tigers are, no doubt, thrilled to have the opportunity to author the state’s biggest upset and snap Gordon’s win streak at 41 games.
Jayton (12-0) vs. Benjamin (10-0) — The only battle of unbeatens in the area this week, this matchup between the top-ranked Jaybirds and a top-five Mustangs squad should be a fun one. Neither team has been remotely challenged this season, as Jayton has outscored its 12 opponents 682-77 and Benjamin boasts a 592-81 scoring margin in its 10 games. The Jaybirds enter this game off dominant playoff wins over Guthrie (56-6) and Grandfalls-Royalty (68-18), while the Mustangs had no trouble with Aspermont (53-8) and Balmorhea (68-16). Led by Sean Stanaland, Colt Gentry and Bode Ham, Jayton is the favorite here. But junior quarterback Keegan Hayes is a one-man wrecking crew for Benjamin, which has shown in lopsided wins over a number of quality teams what it’s capable of.
Strawn (11-1) vs. Three Way (11-1) — The Braves have been among the area’s biggest success stories the past two seasons, and their turnaround has reached new heights this year with the first two playoff wins in Three Way history. But that feel-good run could be in jeopardy this week against one of the area and state’s premier six-man programs. Not only do the Greyhounds have a major experience advantage — Strawn is accustomed to playing deep into the playoffs while Three Way is not — SHS is also just a really darn good football team. Coach Dwayne Lee’s squad is undefeated around a 58-8 loss to Gordon in Week 3, and the Greyhounds have outscored their opponents by a 708-206 margin on the season. Three Way will certainly bring a good and well-coached team to the field, but Strawn’s 74-26 win last week over Bluff Dale, the only team to defeat Three Way this year, shows just how big of a challenge the Braves are facing in this region title tilt.
Richland Springs (10-1) vs. Oglesby (11-1) — Boasting the tightest spread of any area six-man game this week, this battle for the Region I-1A DII championship could be a thriller. Richland Springs, which hasn’t lost since dropping its opener to Gordon 52-6, is the favorite (by six to 15 points, depending on the source), but Oglesby has an excellent squad, evidenced by impressive wins over 10-win teams from Bluff Dale (in Week 2) and Cherokee (last week). This will be the toughest test for Cohen Ethridge, Ethan Deeds and the Coyotes since that season opener against the Longhorns, but the same was true in last week’s game against Zephyr, and Richland Springs won that one 59-12.