Category: Stamford Bulldogs

by Daniel Youngblood

GAME STORY: Stamford’s Hernandez bests Coleman’s Torres in thrilling pitchers’ duel to open series

EULA — For seven full innings Wednesday, Stamford’s Alek Hernandez and Coleman’s Brayden Torres went toe to toe and blow for blow like a couple of heavyweight champs. 

With each looking to pitch his team to an early advantage in a high-profile Region I-2A Division II bi-district series between the Bulldogs and Bluecats, the senior starters delivered a pitcher’s duel for the ages in front of a strong and appreciative crowd at the Eula Athletic Complex.

In the end, a single run was all that separated the two, and it took seven innings to score as Hernandez and his SHS teammates outlasted Torres and the Bluecats 1-0 in a thrilling series opener that had both coaches feeling romantic about baseball in its aftermath.

Continue reading “GAME STORY: Stamford’s Hernandez bests Coleman’s Torres in thrilling pitchers’ duel to open series” →

by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Stephenville senior takes our weekly award

In a week that featured at least a half dozen athletes who could have taken our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, we finally settled on a Stephenville senior for our weekly award. 

Willis Jackson, one of the premiere speedsters in the Big Country, took four district titles in the District 6-4A meet last week

This included individual gold medals in the 100 meters (10.66), long jump (22-8.5) and Triple jump (43-8.5). He also collected gold with the 800 relay team (1:28.53), along with a silver with the 400 relay (42.45). 

“Willis is headed to the area track meet in five events,” coach Kolt Kittley said. “He comes to workouts every day with a big smile and a great attitude.

“He was huge in helping us win the district track meet this year.”

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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

GAME STORY: Clutch hitting, dramatic pitching lift Hawley to huge district win at Stamford

STAMFORD — In a game that saw them outhit 9-7, there was one big plus for the Hawley Bearcats in Tuesday’s 7-2 win at Stamford: performance in the clutch. 

Aside from several timely hits, Hawley also got a big-time pitching effort from starter Jesse Nieto, who escaped multiple jams and stranded 12 Stamford baserunners to help the Bearcats break a first-place tie in District 8-2A.

Jake Bristow was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one RBI while Nieto delivered 6.1 innings on the bump to lift Hawley (14-7-1, 6-1) which took sole possession of first place with the win. Stamford slipped into second at 13-5 and 5-2.

“This is big for us because we’re a young team, just like Stamford,” Hawley coach Jamie Seago said. “This is always a tough place to play so it was a big-game environment for us. 

“Hopefully, as we move along this will help us (develop) some confidence.” 

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by Brandon McAuliffe

GAME STORY: Hernandez shines on the mound as Stamford routs Hawley

HAWLEY — Stamford pitcher Alek Hernandez and first baseman Carlos Vega constantly work on the hidden ball trick during practice, but they hadn’t tried it in a game.

Stamford baseball coach Steven Gould has preached to the duo the things that they had to do in order for it to be successful — including in Wednesday’s practice when Hernandez stepped on the mound without the ball.

Friday night, the pair ended a 15-4 win over Hawley in a District 8-2A game by perfectly executing the play for the final out as they caught Jesse Nieto after he had reached on a fielder’s choice.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cisco junior earns this week’s award

When Cisco junior guard Carter Toof is on his game, there is little one can do to stop him. He’s going to get his point, whether you like it or not. 

That was the case last week when Toof helped Cisco to a win over Abilene TLCA with 43 points, 14 rebounds and three assists. He followed that with 20 points, seven boards, four assists and three steals in a playoff warmup loss to Benjamin. 

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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

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Clyde freshman captures this week’s award

Aside from being a traditional area area power in softball, the Clyde Lady Bulldogs are known for getting off to fast starts every spring and quickly establishing the fact that they’re a team to be reckoned with. 

But this year, with freshman pitcher Brynli Reynolds making a major splash, Clyde is not only good, it’s scary good.

At this point, the Lady Bulldogs are 3-0, with wins over good teams from Hawley (8-1), Littlefield (10-0) and most recently, over three-time defending 3A state champion Coahoma (7-0). 

Reynolds, who has taken our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, tossed a no-hitter in the Hawley win. And in 21 innings of work last week, she allowed only one earned run on seven hits with — get this — 51 strikeouts. Yes, you read that correctly. 

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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 Brandon McAuliffe

GAME STORY: Stamford boys rally for win over Cisco; Lady Loboes complete undefeated district run

CISCO — With the playoffs being split into Division I and Division II, not all-late season basketball games have the high-stakes feel that they’ve had in the past.

That wasn’t the case on Tuesday night at Ray Saunders Gymnasium, where Stamford visited Cisco for a crucial District 10-2A matchup.

The hosts jumped out to a 14-point lead in the first half but couldn’t hold off a fourth-quarter rally as Stamford all but clinched the district runner-up spot with a 50-44 win.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Comanche senior takes this week’s award

Comanche senior J’Lee Salinas is no stranger to BCP accolades, having already won our Player of the Week award as well as being named to our All-Big Country Preps team. 

Well, she’s done it again after helping Comanche sweep district mates Millsap and Peaster — taking our Player of the Week award for the week ending Feb. 7.

Salinas had a solid week with a double-double in a win against Millsap (83-27), finishing with 24 points,10 rebounds, four assists and six steals.

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by Daniel Youngblood

THIS WEEK IN BOYS BASKETBALL: District title, playoff races continue to take shape as regular season nears its end

The boys basketball regular season is nearing its end, and district championship and playoff pictures across the area are coming into view.

Most leagues now have clear favorites in both their title and playoff races, but several remain unresolved with just two or three games left to play. 

With just a couple of weeks of games remaining, let’s dive in and take a look at this week’s biggest games and last week’s most significant developments.

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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 Daniel Youngblood

THIS WEEK IN BOYS BASKETBALL: Weather-truncated week sets up wild stretch run in several area districts

Last week’s winter storm made for a wild week of action, condensing a week’s worth of games into three day’s time. And the results were as unpredictable as you might expect given the circumstances.

We saw several district championship and playoff races shaken up by upsets and others take shape as the cream continued its rise to the top.

As we do here weekly, it’s time to take survey of the Big Country boys basketball landscape. We hope you enjoy this look at the biggest developments from last week and the biggest games this week’s slate has to offer.

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by Daniel Youngblood

THIS WEEK IN BOYS BASKETBALL: Big games in full supply despite weather-related schedule changes

Mother Nature did her best to bring the high school basketball season to a standstill, sending a winter storm that put most Big Country teams on the shelf for a week. But the action around that unexpected break gives us plenty to talk about in this week’s look at the area boys basketball scene.

With a number of excellent (and meaningful) games last week and some big matchups slated for the next few days, the area district races remain as intriguing as ever.

Let’s go ahead now and take a look at the biggest games the area slate has to offer this week and some of the outcomes last week that helped shape the weeks to come.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Cisco junior earns this week’s accolade

You have to appreciate a player who can contribute big numbers in several different ways. And in the case of our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, such players have an advantage when it comes to taking down our weekly award. 

This time around, it’s Cisco junior Owen Kilpatrick, who posted a triple-double in a 74-38 win over Abilene TLCA, finishing with 18 points, 21 rebounds and 12 assists. 

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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

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: French foreign exchange student takes this week’s accolade with quadruple-double

Ysée Le Borgne may feel like a fish out of water living in Ballinger, Texas. After all, the 16-year-old foreign exchange student and native of Lille, France is more than 5,000 miles and (needless to say), a major cultural shift away from her hometown. 

On the basketball court, however, the 6-foot sophomore guard is right at home — so much so that she earned our Big Country Preps Player of Week for the week ending Jan. 17 with a rare quadruple double. 

Le Borgne, who opened the week with a 24-point, 14-rebound double-double in a loss to Colorado City, showed the potential for a “quad” that night with seven steals, six pass deflections and four blocks. 

Three days later it happened in a 43-32 win over Coleman that saw Le Borne finish with 23 points, 12 boards, 10 steals and 10 pass deflections. 

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by Daniel Youngblood

THIS WEEK IN BOYS BASKETBALL: District races taking shape as title, playoff favorites begin to emerge

District races are heating up throughout the Big Country and the cream is quickly rising to the top in our area leagues.

Last week and helped provide some clarity in a number of district’s throughout the BCP coverage area, and this week will, no doubt, do the same.

Without further ado, let’s go ahead and dive into this week’s column and take a look at the biggest games on this week’s slate and some of the top results last week had to offer.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Wall big man takes our first award of 2026

Nobody played a tougher schedule over the holidays than the Wall boys. And nobody had a bigger impact on their successful run through a brutal five-game stretch than 6-foot-7 big man Paxton Brake who takes our first Big Country Preps Player of the Week for 2026.

Brake, a junior, scored a combined 70 points through the break, averaging 14 points, 9.2 boards and 3.2 assists to help the Hawks go 4-1 over the break with wins over Decatur, Lorena, Ponder and Sweetwater, along with a close loss to perennial power Brock.

Wall enters this week at 17-5 overall.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Abilene High’s Henry takes award after record-setting performance

You have to love a great all-around performance and in the case of Brayden Henry, our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, his effort in last week’s 84-25 bi-district win over El Paso Bel Air was a record-setter.

Aside from going 6 of 7 through the air or 56 yards and one TD, he also rushed five times for 137 yards and three more scores.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Wylie RB Laine takes honor with monster game in high school finale

Coming off a breakout junior season that ended prematurely due to a torn ACL late in district play, Wylie running back Julius wasn’t having the type of senior season he had hoped to going into Friday’s Senior Night game against Plainview.

Running behind a young and often banged-up offensive line, Laine entered that matchup with 668 yards on 135 carries on the year, including a combined 139 yards on the ground in three consecutive losses leading up to the Plainview game.

On Friday, though, the 6-foot-2, 235-pound bruiser finally broke loose and found some open field — a lot of open field — in closing out his high school career with a memorable night worthy of our Big Country Preps Player of the Week honor. By the game’s end, Laine had run for a career-high 300 yards and five touchdowns, including scoring runs of 35, 39 and 49 yards, to lead the Bulldogs to a wild 70-52 victory.

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by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 4-2A DIV. I WEEK 11 REPORT: Cisco, Anson, Hawley all headed for the playoffs

Cisco 56, Olney 24 — Colby MciLroy threw for 143 yards and two TDs and Cody Gayle rushed for 96 yards and another score to help Cisco (9-1, 5-0) to a lopsided win over Olney.

Colbin Harrison was McilRoy’s top target, hauling in two catches for 89 yards and two scores.  

Cisco improved to 9-1 with its ninth straight win over Clyde in Week 1.

Olney fell to 3-7 and 1-4.

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by Brandon McAuliffe

BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Hawley holds off Stamford in thriller to claim the No. 2 playoff seed

HAWLEY — The final play of Friday night’s showdown between Stamford and Hawley in the Big Country Preps Game of the Week couldn’t have been written into any script — Hollywood or otherwise.

It sure wasn’t in the playbook for either head coach.

Stamford forced a Hawley punt with nine seconds left and nearly pulled off a miracle, when — after numerous laterals on the punt return — C’nai Whitfield was finally pushed out of bounds at the HHS 25 to allow the Bearcats to hold on for a 36-28 win in the District 4-2A Division I finale at Forrest Field.

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Goldthwaite’s Owen Campbell earns this week’s accolade

It’s been a good while since a Goldthwaite Eagle snagged our Big Country Preps Player of the Week award in any sport. But sophomore Owen Campbell obliterated that streak with a fabulous effort in a 61-0 rout of Meridian on Friday. 

His performance came on both sides of the ball, beginning with 12 carries for 144 yards and four touchdowns from his running back position. 

Defensively Campbell charted eleven tackles, including seven solos, four assists and an interception from the GHS secondary. 

“Owen had a tremendous game on Friday where he contributed to our win,” coach Andy Howard said. “He made a huge impact in all three phases of the game. He plays a huge role for us every week on defense, offense and on special teams.

“He continues to grow and improve as a player every week. I am proud of Owen but proud of everyone around him as well.” 

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by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 4-2A DIV. I WEEK 10 REPORT: Cisco, Stamford, Hawley continue their winning ways

Cisco 35, Anson 14 — Colby McIlroy rushed for 169 yards and one score and threw for 95 yards and another TD to lift Cisco to a district-clinching win over Anson. 

Leading 21-14 at the break, the Loboes iced the game with a pair of unanswered touchdowns in the second half. 

The Loboes improved to 8-1 and 4-0 with the win; Anson fell to 6-3 and 1-3. 

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by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 4-2A DIV. I WEEK 9 REPORT: Anson snaps losing skid, Cisco rallies to stop Hawley, Stamford tops TLCA

Anson 54, Olney 15 — The Tigers snapped a two-game losing streak with a lopsided win at home over the Cubs. 

Hunter Teichelman threw for 334 yards and five scores and added one rushing touchdown to pace Anson (6-2, 1-2) which put itself in an excellent position to earn a playoff spot with the win. 

Alex Lozano (four catches, 136 yards, two TDs) and Malachi St. John (seven catches, 114 yards, two TDs) were Teichelman’s targets of choice. 

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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 4-2A DIV. I WEEK 8 REPORT: Stamford tops Anson; Hawley and Cisco coast

Stamford 28, Anson 21 — Stamford entered this game as an underdog in the view of many, but left as the victor after forcing four Anson turnovers. 

Limited to only 185 yards in total offense for the night, the Bulldogs (4-3, 1-1) still managed to build a 28-6 first-half lead before hanging on for the win. 

Despite piling up 371 yards in total offense and outgaining Stamford by nearly 200 yards, Anson (5-2, 0-2) dropped its second straight game after a 5-0 start. 

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by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 4-2A DIV. I WEEK 7 REPORT: Hawley, Olney, Cisco open district play with wins

Hawley 32, Anson 26 — Aiden Romo threw for 214 yards and four scores to lead Hawley (4-2, 1-0) to a huge win over previously unbeaten Anson in the district opener for both clubs. 

Hunter Teichelman led Anson (5-1, 0-1) with 314 yards passing and two scores. 

Anson will face Stamford (3-3, 0-1) in a crucial matchup next Friday; Hawley will travel to Olney on the same evening. 

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by Evan Ren

BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Cisco stuns Stamford 30-20

CISCO — Entering Friday’s district opener with an explosive Stamford team, the Cisco Loboes knew they would have to control the football and keep the SHS offense off of the field to win. 

Not only did they achieve that, but the Loboes also managed to hurt Stamford through the air in a 30-20 win in the Big Country Preps Game of the Week. 

Colby McIlroy threw for 126 yards and one score and rushed for 62 yards and another TD to lead Cisco (5-1, 1-0 District 4-2A DI), which notched its fifth straight win following a season-opening loss to Clyde. 

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by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 4-2A DIV. I WEEK 6 REPORT: Olney wins while the rest of the league enjoys a night off

Olney 33, Crosbyton 0 — The Cubs (2-3) were the lone districts member to hit the field on Friday and came away with a win over struggling Crosbyton.

Tucker Cortinez threw for 343 yards and four scores to lead the Cubs.

The victory was the second in succession for Olney, which travels to Abilene TLCA next Friday.

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by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 4-2A DIV. I WEEK 5 REPORT: Cisco, Hawley, Stamford, Anson all collect wins

Cisco 65, Frenship Memorial 13 — The Loboes rolled up 500 yards in total offense including 321 on the ground in a lopsided win over Memorial. 

Noah Hernandez rushed for 108 yards and one score on four carries and Colby Mcilroy threw for 179 yards and three scores to led Cisco (4-1), which charted its fourth straight win. 

Memorial dropped to 3-2. 

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by Evan Ren

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

Since losing their season opener to Peaster (34-0), the Tolar Rattlers (2-1) have not only managed to improve, but they’re rapidly gaining momentum to go with that progress.

Our Big Country Preps Player of the Week, Briton Rice, is a part of that, having thrown for 197 yards and four scores in last week’s 42-18 win over Millsap. This, after missing a week with an injury.

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by Evan Ren

DISTRICT 4-2A DIV. I WEEK 3 REPORT: Hawley, Anson and Cisco pick up victories

Hawley 51, Merkel 34 — This was projected to be a shootout and those in attendance were treated to exactly that. 

Jesse Nieto threw for 249 yards and five TDs to lift Hawley (2-1), which held off the Badgers after building a 37-13 third-quarter lead. Brycen

Stofel was another key contributor for Hawley with 170 yards rushing on 20 carries. 

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