Category: Cross Plains Buffaloes

by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Hamlin explodes for 19 runs to blow out Cross Plains in series opener

EULA — The Hamlin baseball team kicked off its playoff run in dominant fashion Tuesday, scoring early and often in a 19-2 win over Cross Plains in Game 1 of a best-of-three Region I-1A bi-district series at the Eula baseball field.

The Pied Pipers broke a scoreless tie with a five-run second inning and increased their lead to 9-2 by the start of the fifth, when they exploded for 10 runs to put the run rule into effect.

Ian Gruben limited the Buffaloes to two unearned runs over four strong innings to earn the win, which puts HHS in position to clinch the series when play resumes at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at Eula.

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by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Cross Plains pulls away for 9-1 win in opener of area-round series with Westbrook

EULA — It took the Cross Plains Lady Buffaloes a few innings to find their offensive stride Tuesday in the opener of their Region I-1A area-round series with Westbrook. But once they did, it was smooth sailing in a 9-1 win over the Lady Cats at the Eula softball field.

With freshman standout Kenzie McLean tossing a gem in the circle, Cross Plains didn’t need to generate much run support. But after breaking through for the game’s first run in the bottom of the third inning, the Lady Buffs put up multiple runs in the each of the next three frames to pull away for the comfortable victory.

McLean, who allowed one hit and one walk while striking out 16 in a complete-game effort, carried a shutout through six innings, before allowing an unearned run in the top of the seventh. The game was well in hand by then, though, putting the Lady Buffs in position to close out the series when it resumes with Game 2 at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday in Eula.

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by Evan Ren

Evan Ren’s 2026 Gym Rat Team: The hardest-working players in the Big Country!

Scoring and rebounding is only part of the story when it comes to basketball. Behind the scenes and beyond the view of the public, is where character is often measured. And it is with our Big Country Preps Gym Rat Team that we salute the individuals who exude the most of it. 

This team isn’t about who the best players are, though some of the area’s top players are on this list. 

The Gym Rat team is about effort, discipline, toughness, coachability and selflessness — traits that coaches love above all else and that championship foundations are built upon.

It is for that reason that our Gym Rat team is selected entirely by area coaches, described in their own words. And Big Country Preps is absolutely honored to present these individuals to you — the best “team players” (boys and girls) that the area had to offer during the 2025-26 season.

Players are listed in no particular order. 

Enjoy.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: And yet another Gaylor takes our weekly accolade

A week after Lipan’s Court Gaylor took our Big Country Preps Player of the Week award, yet another Lipan player has done the same thing. 

And by sheer coincidence, her last name is Gaylor as well. 

This time around it is freshman guard Sydni Gaylor, Court’s Younger sister, who has taken the accolade after leading the LHS girls to a Class 2A Division II state title in San Antonio on Thursday. 

Helping the Lady Indians to a 42-35 over perennial power Martin’s Mill, Sydni finished with 23 points and was voted by attending media as the game’s MVP. 

And the good news (at least for Lipan) is, this kid is only a freshman. 

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Hoops
by Evan Ren

FINAL Big Country Boys Basketball Statistical Leaders for 2026: Scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, FT Pct., pass deflections and blocks

Below are the current season statistical leaders for Big Country boys basketball through Feb. 19.  With the end of the regular season, this will be the FINAL boys basketball leaders we post this year. 

This database has been continually updated for our subscribers throughout the regular season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.

Is your favorite team missing? If so, please pass along a friendly reminder to your coach to check his email for our weekly stats request. We’ll be happy to add them to our database after they arrive. 

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by Evan Ren

FINAL Big Country Girls Basketball Statistical Leaders for 2026 (Scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, FT Pct., pass deflections and blocks)

Below are the current season statistical leaders for Big Country girls basketball through Feb. 12. This will be our FINAL girls stat leaders for 2026.

This database has been continually updated for our subscribers throughout the regular season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.

Is your favorite team missing? If so, please pass along a friendly reminder to your coach to check his or her email for our weekly stats request. We’ll be happy to add them to our database after they arrive. 

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by Daniel Youngblood

UIL REALIGNMENT: Area football landscape experiences major changes in biennial district reshuffling

Surprised — and in some cases, stressed out — faces could be seen in abundance Monday morning at Abilene’s Region 14 Education Services Center, where coaches from throughout the area and beyond gathered to learn their new district homes as part of the University Interscholastic League’s biennial realignment.

In what can best be described as a seismic shift in the Big Country football landscape, a majority of area schools were placed in unfamiliar environs — be that a new district with new foes or even a new region entirely.

The now venerated process by which the UIL releases the packet containing the new district alignments for football, basketball and volleyball is frequently compared by coaches to waking up on Christmas morning to find what presents await under the three. And on this day, in particular, few found the gifts they were expecting.

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by Evan Ren

THIS WEEK IN GIRLS BASKETBALL: It’s nail-biting time in Big Country hoops with playoff spots on the line

With January’s schedule-jumbling weather behind us, we now look forward to multiple games with playoff implications around the Big Country Preps coverage area. 

There were no shortage of big matchups last week and as usual, there are several more in the days ahead.

So let’s take a quick look at the menu for Feb. 2-6. 

It should be fun, I’ll see you on the road. 

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by Evan Ren

EVAN REN’S 2025 TRUE GRIT TEAM: The toughest, hardest-working players in the Big Country!

Most high school football teams have that one player acknowledged by the coaching staff as the prime example of what a teammate should be. 

He’s the guy who seldom misses any practice time and is a regular in the weight room. He’s early to arrive. He’s late to leave and takes pride in being coachable, though he seldom needs direction. 

He always sets the right example for younger players. He doesn’t complain and, above all else, he’s tough enough to make all the aforementioned traits consistently possible. 

Know someone like that? Here is where they are honored. 

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by Evan Ren

2025 BIG COUNTRY PREPS RISING STARS TEAM: The top underclassmen in the Big Country

Here are our selections for the 2024 All-Big Country Preps Rising Stars Team — an honor reserved for the area’s top freshman and sophomore football players. For the rest of this year’s selections, click the links below.

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by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 7-2A Div. II WEEK 11 REPORT: Albany, Roscoe, Cross Plains score wins in Week 11


Albany 33, Hamlin 0
Clay Chapman threw for 172 yards, rushed for 72 and accounted for two TDs as Albany clinched the district title. Albany’s defense was nothing short of dominant, holding Hamlin to only 28 yards in total offense.
The Lions improved to 8-0 and 5-0 with the win.  Hamlin fell to 8-2 and 

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by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 7-2A DIV. II WEEK 10 REPORT: Hamlin, Albany, Miles notch wins as regular season end approaches.

Hamlin 43, Cross Plains 18 — Luke White rushed for 171 yards and one TD and Isaiah Hutchings rushed for 62 yards and three TDs as Hamlin dominated Cross Plains. 

The Buffaloes were led by Landry Savell, who rushed for 57 yards and one score. 

Hamlin improved to 8-1 and 4-0 with the win; Cross Plains fell to 3-6 and 1-3.  

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by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 7-2A DIV. II WEEK 9 REPORT: Roscoe, Hamlin, Albany all earn wins in Week 9

Roscoe 42, Winters 0 — The Plowboys (2-6, 2-1) pounded out 208 yards as a team and limited Winters to 38 yards in total offense to score a district win.

Jace Arnwine topped the stat sheet with 64 yards passing and 72 yards rushing.

Winters, which fell to 2-6 and 0-3, was limited to only six yards rushing as a team.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Forsan’s Hayden Bowlin takes the top spot

Forsan senior Hayden Bowlin had a career night last Friday and picked up our Big Country Preps Player of the Week award in the process. 

To begin with, the FHS QB rushed for 280 yards and five scores in last week’s 60-27 win over Colorado City. Aside from that, he threw for 59 yards, he returned a punt 75 yards for a sixth TD and had a 34-yard kickoff return to give him 389 all-purpose yards and 36 of FHS’ points. 

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by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 7-2A DIV. II WEEK 8 REPORT: Hamlin, Cross Plains, Albany victorious

Hamlin 21, Roscoe 14 (OT) — Hamlin rushed for 239 yards via committee in a tough overtime win on the road. Reece Rainey led the Pied Pipers (6-1, 2-0) with 85 yards rushing on four carries and one TD.

It was the sixth straight win for Hamlin since a season-opening loss to Anson. 

Roscoe (1-6, 1-1) was led by Jace Arnwine, who threw for 136 yards, rushed for 19 and accounted for two scores. 

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by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 7-2A DIV. II WEEK 7 REPORT: Hamlin, Roscoe, Albany take district openers

Hamlin 49, Winters 0 — Javier Ramos threw for 117 yards and two scores while Isaiah Hutchings and Cade Jones both added rushing TDs to lead Hamlin (5-1) to its fifth straight win since a season-opening loss to Anson. 

Winters, which had won two of its last three starts, fell to 2-4. 

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by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 7-2A DIV. II WEEK 5 REPORT: Pied Pipers chalk up fourth straight win; Cross Plains, Winters also victorious

Hamlin 36, Quanah 6 — Javier Ramos threw for 313 yards and two scores and Hudson Smith rushed for 105 yards and two more TDs to lift Hamlin to a lopsided win over Quanah. 

It was the fourth-straight win for Hamlin (4-1) since a season-opening loss to still-unbeaten Anson. 

Quanah dropped to 3-2 with the loss. 

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by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 7-2A DIV. II WEEK 4 REPORT: Hamlin carries district torch in an otherwise tough week

Hamlin 48, Munday 14 — The Pied Pipers improved to 3-1 with a convincing win over Munday. 

Isaiah Hutchings threw for 222 yards and two scores to lead Hamlin. Reece Rainey led Hamlin on the ground with 116 yards and two scores on only eight carries. 

The Moguls fell to 3-1.

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Albany coach Denney Faith
by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 7-2A DIV. II WEEK 3 REPORT: Albany, Winters and Hamlin notch Week 3 wins

Albany 69, Seymour 6 — The Lions rushed or 399 yards as a team, led by Bennett Neece’s 155 yards and three TDs on only six carries. 

Lyle Wheeler led the Lion passing game with 101 yards and three scores to help push Albany to 3-0. 

Trailing 62-0 with seven minutes to play, Seymour notched its only score of the evening on a 45-yard rushing TD by Slade Tucker. 

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Marcos Rios
by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Big Spring quarterback takes the top spot

Our Big Country Preps Player of the Week is seldom an easy choice and this week was no exception. But Big Spring senior quarterback Marcus Rios had the numbers to snag the top spot in a brilliant performance against Lubbock High on Friday. 

Rios hit 11 of 19 throws for 261 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-27 win. But that’s just the beginning. 

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by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 7-2A DIV. II WEEK 2 REPORT: Hamlin, Coahoma, Cross Plains, Miles and Albany all chalk up wins in Week 2

Hamlin 35, Seymour 21 — Isaiah Hutchings threw for 190 yards and two scores and rushed for 127 yards to lead the Pied Pipers (1-1) to their first win of the year.

Kyson McGee rushed for 107 yards and one TD and Reece Rainey rushed for 68 yards and another score to bolster the Hamlin offense. 

The Pied Pipers will travel to Crosbyton next Friday; Seymour (1-1) will play host to Albany (2-0) on the same evening. 

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by Evan Ren

EVAN REN: Top games worth traveling for during the 2025 football season

Got the truck started yet?

Ready to jump on one of those farm-to-market roads to watch high school football into the late hours on a Friday night?

You’re not alone.

And, as tradition would have it, I tip my cap to those of you who will be hitting the trails each week in search of pigskin. My method: a preseason menu of sorts.

Each week for the next 11 weeks, Big Country Preps will be searching for its Game of the Week, and we’re already looking ahead. We now present our preliminary list of Big Country Games worth traveling for, but keep in mind: the following list is subject to change as surprises and disappointments emerge.

And as we all know … surprises and disappointments always emerge.

So, without further delay, here is our list of Big Country games worth traveling for in 2025.

I’ll see you on the road.

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by Daniel Youngblood

CROSS PLAINS FEATURE: Do-it-all senior Mackey a tone-setter for playoff-minded Buffaloes

Playing key roles on offense, defense and special teams, Tyler Mackey won’t leave the field much this season.

But that’s just the way the Cross Plains senior wants it. 

A true utility player in every sense of the word, Mackey is among the most versatile weapons in all of the Big Country. And with the senior set to be leaned on more heavily than ever this fall, the playoff-minded Buffaloes could go as he does in 2025.

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by Daniel Youngblood

2025 CROSS PLAINS FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Sanderson looks to keep Buffaloes headed in right direction

Over the past 14 years, no conversation could be had about Cross Plains football without including coach Daniel Purvis and the job he did to turn a stagnant program into into a perennial playoff contender.

This fall, for the first time since Purvis took the reins at Cross Plains in 2011, the Buffaloes will have a new voice at the top.

Jared Sanderson, Purvis’ defensive coordinator since 2022, was tabbed to take over the program when the longtime former coach left to take the Plains job in April. And while he’ll be doing some things a little differently, he looks forward to building on the strong foundation laid by his predecessor and former boss.

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by Evan Ren

Evan Ren’s 2025 Big Country Preps All-Hustle Team (the hardest-working baseball and softball players in the area)

OTHER 2025 ALL-BIG COUNTRY PREPS TEAMS

  • ALL BIG COUNTRY PREPS BASEBALL Superlative Awards (Pitcher of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, etc)
  • ALL-BIG COUNTRY PREPS BASEBALL: First-Team Selections
  • ALL BIG COUNTRY PREPS BASEBALL: Second-Team Selections (plus honorable mention)
  • ALL BIG COUNTRY PREPS SOFTBALL: Superlative Awards (Pitcher of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, etc)
  • ALL BIG COUNTRY PREPS SOFTBALL: First-Team Selections
  • ALL BIG COUNTRY PREPS SOFTBALL: Second-Team Selections (plus honorable mention)

Our All-Big Country Preps Softball and Baseball Teams, released Saturday and Sunday, respectively, are in place to honor those who achieved the most on-field success in 2025. It is off the field, however, where character, grit, and work ethic are often measured. And it is with our Big Country Preps All-Hustle Team that we wish to honor those players, male and female, who were (simply put) the hardest-working, best teammates in the area this spring. 

This team isn’t about who the best baseball and softball players were.

The All-Hustle team honors effort, discipline, toughness, coachability and selflessness — traits that coaches wish they had in every player and upon which championships are built.

It is for that reason that this team is largely selected by area coaches and described in their own words.

Big Country Preps is now honored to present these individuals to you — the best team players (boys and girls) that the Big Country had to offer during the 2025 season.

The players below are listed in no particular order. 

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by Daniel Youngblood

2025 All-Big Country Preps Baseball Team: First-Team Roster

Here are our first-team selections for the 2025 All-Big Country Preps baseball team. For the rest of this year’s selections, click the links below.

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by Daniel Youngblood

2025 All-Big Country Preps Baseball Team: Second-Team Roster (w/ honorable mention)

Here are our second-team selections for the 2025 All-Big Country Preps baseball team. For the rest of this year’s selections, click the links below.

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by Evan Ren

2025 Big Country Preps Rising Stars Baseball Team

Ladies and gentlemen, we are proud to release our 2025 All-Big Country Preps baseball teams. 

Here, you will find our Rising Stars Team honoring the top freshmen and sophomores in the Big Country.

For the rest of this year’s baseball selections, please click the links below.

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by Daniel Youngblood

2025 All-Big Country Preps Softball Team: First-team Roster

Here are our first-team selections for the 2025 All-Big Country Preps softball team. For the rest of this year’s selections, click the links below.

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by Daniel Youngblood

2025 All-Big Country Preps Softball Team: Second-team Roster (w/ honorable mention)

Here are our second-team selections for the 2025 All-Big Country Preps softball team. For the rest of this year’s selections, click the links below.

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by Evan Ren

2025 Big Country Preps Rising Stars Softball Team

Ladies and gentlemen, we are proud to release our 2025 All-Big Country Preps Softball teams. 

Here, you will find our Rising Stars Team honoring the top freshmen and sophomores in the Big Country.

For the rest of this year’s softball selections, please click the links below.

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by Evan Ren

2025 COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: The Cross Plains Buffaloes … 43 days to two-a-days

Football is just around the corner, 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 Wednesday, Aug. 20. But you won’t have to wait until then to sate your gridiron appetite.

Leading up to the first day of fall football practice on Aug. 4, we’ll be spotlighting each 11-man team in the area and posing some of the key questions they’ll face in 2025 as part of our annual “Countdown to Two-a-Days” series.

Today, we take a look at the Cross Plains Buffaloes.

by Evan Ren

AREA BASEBALL STAT LEADERS (Final stat report for 2025)

Here are the area’s baseball statistical leaders through May 1.

Statistics are from throughout the Big Country Preps circulation area as submitted by coaches. These lists will be continually updated as we receive more submissions. 

If your favorite team is missing, please give your head coach a friendly reminder to check his email for our weekly stat request or send Evan Ren a note at Evan.Ren@BigCountryPreps.com. 

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by Evan Ren

Final Area Softball Stat Leaders (through April 24)

Here are the area’s softball statistical leaders through April 24:

Statistics are from throughout the Big Country Preps circulation area as submitted by coaches. These lists will be continually updated as we receive more submissions. 

If your favorite team is missing, please give your head coach a friendly reminder to check his or her email for our weekly stat request or send Evan Ren a note at Evan.Ren@BigCountryPreps.com. 

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by Evan Ren

Area Baseball Stat Leaders (through April 24)

Here are the area’s baseball statistical leaders through April 24.

Statistics are from throughout the Big Country Preps circulation area as submitted by coaches. These lists will be continually updated as we receive more submissions. 

If your favorite team is missing, please give your head coach a friendly reminder to check his email for our weekly stat request or send Evan Ren a note at Evan.Ren@BigCountryPreps.com. 

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