Here are the district standings for all 11-man football districts involving Big Country schools after Week 5 (with results and upcoming games):
Category: Sweetwater Mustangs
District 1-4A Div. II Week 5 Report: Holsey, Sweetwater too much for Clyde in nondistrict romp
Sweetwater 42, Clyde 21 — The Mustangs piled up 526 yards of total offense, rushing for 289 and passing for 237, in a three-touchdown win over the Bulldogs.
Sweetwater (2-3) outscored the Bulldogs 27-7 over the first two quarters, before putting the game away with the only touchdown of the third period.
Quarterback Leo Holsey spearheaded the winning effort for the Mustangs, passing for four touchdowns while adding a fifth score on the ground. Ethan Aguilar was the Mustangs leading rusher with 110 yards and a touchdown on just six carries, while Harrison Foster was the leading receiver with six catches for 129 yards and a TD.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Jim Ned, Snyder clash in battle of unbeatens (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country picks)
LAST WEEK: 36-16, .692
OVERALL: 163-46, .779
After four straight weeks of picking 80 percent or better, the USS Ren ran aground last Friday, bottoming out with a season-low .692 percentage and dropping my season tally to .779.
I generally like to be above 80 percent by midseason, so last Friday served as a wakeup call. Actually, it was more of a gut punch. But I’ll get over it.
This week’s Big Country Preps Game of the Week will see me traveling to Snyder, where the unbeaten Class 4A Tigers will play host to 3A DI state champion Jim Ned in what should be an absolutely electric atmosphere.
You all set? Let’s dive in to this week’s picks.
Big Country Volleyball Statistical Leaders (through Sept. 21)
Big Country Preps is publishing area volleyball statistical leaders each Tuesday at 7 p.m.
This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the remainder of the season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.
We will continually update the database throughout the regular season.
District 1-4A Div. II Week 4 Report: Snyder blasts Lake View to improve to 4-0
Snyder 42, San Angelo Lake View 7 — The Tigers dominated the Chiefs, scoring 35 unanswered points after Lake View had tied the game at 7 with a touchdown late in the first quarter.
Snyder, which outgained the Chiefs 404-208, led 21-7 by halftime and added three more touchdowns after the break to improve to 4-0 on the year.
The Tigers were led in the win by Jorge Martinez, who rushed for 174 yards and three touchdowns on just 17 carries, while quarterback Hunter Stewart completed 11 of 15 passes for 144 yards and added 41 yards and one TD rushing.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Improved Lions to pay visit to Brady (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks)
LAST WEEK: 36-16, .692
OVERALL: 163-46, .779
After four straight weeks of picking 80 percent or better, the USS Ren ran aground last Friday, bottoming out with a season-low .692 percentage and dropping my season tally to .779.
Big Country Volleyball Statistical Leaders (through Sept. 14)
Big Country Preps is publishing area volleyball statistical leaders each Tuesday at 7 p.m.
This database will be continually updated for our subscribers throughout the remainder of the season, using only those statistics submitted by area coaches.
We will continually update the database throughout the regular season.
FEATURE: Talented Potts lifts up Sweetwater volleyball team
Portrait by Brandi Dent Photography in Sweetwater. Action photo by Will McClure
There’s no denying the impact of versatile senior Jazzane Potts on the Sweetwater volleyball team. The Lady Mustangs opened this season 1-12 while Potts was undergoing treatment on both her knees, but Sweetwater is 6-5 since her return.
Sweetwater (7-17) had won five consecutive matches entering Tuesday’s nondistrict match at Wall.
“We were sending her to three different doctors,” third-year Sweetwater coach Mitzi Bell said Monday. “We kept asking Jazzane, ‘Are you cleared yet? Are you cleared yet?’”
CAPITAL FARM CREDIT/BCP PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Clyde’s Phillips takes this week’s top spot
Clyde junior Payton Phillips first hit the area radar screen last spring when she took double gold at the Region I-3A track meet in the both the long jump and 100 hurdles.
But our Capital Farm Credit/Big Country Preps Player of the Week is also one of the area’s top volleyball setters as well, as last week’s effort in a three-set win over Graham and four-set loss to Stephenville illustrated.
District 1-4A Div. II Week 3 Report: Mustangs rout Lake View for 700th win in program history
Sweetwater 47, San Angelo Lake View 20 — The Mustangs claimed their 700th win in program history, piling up 493 yards of total offense in a dominating effort.
Senior quarterback Leo Holsey led the winning effort, passing for two touchdowns and rushing for another to help SHS improve to 1-2 on the season.
Lake View, which was limited to 347 yards and had a pair of turnovers, was paced by quarterback Cade Henry, who passed for 173 yards with a touchdown and an interception.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Brady cancels, Ren goes scrambling (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks)
LAST WEEK: 42-9, .823
SEASON TOTAL: 85-21, .801
I was very much looking forward to our Big Country Preps Game of the Week – Coleman (2-0) at Brady (2-0). Unfortunately, COVID intervened by midweek, forcing a cancellation of the contest.
On a positive note, there are several other quality games throughout the area for us to focus on, and (taking a bow) the column is already hitting over 80 percent on picks and we’re only in Week 3.
Numbers of that sort are generally reserved for Weeks 7-10, so I’m feeling pressure to keep the early momentum going.
In the absence of our Game of the Week, I’ll be heading to Cross Plains on Friday, where Haskell will be paying a visit to the Buffaloes (COVID allowing, of course).
Let’s dive in to this week’s picks:
District 1-4A Div. II Week 2 Report: Snyder cruises past Levelland to stay unbeaten
Snyder 45, Levelland 7 — The Tigers improved to 2-0 with an impressive win over the Lobos, racing out to a 31-7 halftime lead and cruising from there to a 38-point victory.
Hunter Stewart hit all 10 of his passes for 127 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for 58 yards and two scores to lead the SHS offense. Jorge Martinez also had a nice day running the ball, finishing with 78 yards and a TD on seven carries, while Tim Henderson (5-79, 1 TD) was the Tigers’ top receiver.
Snyder outgained Levelland 364-240, rushing for 237 yards in the victory.
PHOTO GALLERY: Sweetwater at Stephenville (40 images)
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District 1-4A Div. II Week 1 Report: Snyder rides big third quarter to win over Slaton
Snyder 28, Slaton 9 — A big third quarter was all Snyder needed to pull away from Stanton for a three-score win in its season opener.
Trailing 8-7 at halftime, coach Wes Wood’s Tigers scored 22 unanswered points in the third quarter to cruise to the victory.
BCP GAME OF THE WEEK: ‘Jackets dominate Sweetwater in opener
STEPHENVILLE — One club met its preseason expectations. The other left with something to build on.
Bolstered by a 30-0 second-half run, the Stephenville Yellow Jackets put away Sweetwater, 51-13 in Friday’s Big Country Preps Game of the Week — spoiling the debut of new Mustang coach Russell Lucas,
Ryder Lambert threw for 214 yards and three scores and rushed for two others to lead Stephenville (1-0), which took control of the game with three unanswered touchdowns and a safety in the third quarter.
BIG COUNTRY PREPS GAME OF THE WEEK: Stephenville play host to Sweetwater (w/ Evan Ren’s Big Country Picks)
LAST WEEK: 0-0, .000
SEASON TOTAL 0-0, .000
At last, here we are.
The 2021 football season has arrived, giving us a much-needed diversion every Friday night, in isolated spots all over Central Texas. As always, I will endeavor to pick the winner of all our area games, from Class 1A through Class 6A, with the top matchup serving as our Big Country Preps Game of the Week.
Our first spotlight game should come as no surprise, with long-time Hamlin coach Russell Lucas debuting as the head coach of the Sweetwater Mustangs — one of the most -storied programs in the Big Country.
Their opposition?
The Stephenville Yellow Jackets at Tarleton State’s Memorial Stadium.
With that, let’s dive into the picks, shall we?
BCP Football Preseason Position Rankings: Quarterbacks
After a week of highlighting area playmakers, we wrap up our eight-part preseason position rankings series with the Big Country’s best signal callers.
To complete our look at the area’s top players, we’ve ranked our top 10 quarterbacks with a list of others to watch in 2021.
We hope you enjoy this list and that you’ve enjoyed our position rankings as we get set to kickoff a new season.
BCP Football Preseason Position Rankings: Running Backs
As we wind down our eight-part preseason position rankings series, we arrive finally at the Big Country’s top ball-carriers.
After breaking down this year’s crop of receivers and tight ends Monday, we move now to the area’s top backs, ranking our top 10 with a list of others to watch in 2021. Don’t forget to check in Wednesday night when we conclude our series with the top 10 area quarterbacks.
We hope you enjoy tonight’s list and encourage you to check out the other position groups, which are linked below.
BCP Football Preseason Position Rankings: Wide Receivers/Tight Ends
We’re approaching the final stretch of our eight-part preseason position rankings series, and it’s time to look at the Big Country’s top pass-catchers.
After starting the offensive portion of our series Sunday with the linemen, we now shift our attention to the playmakers on the perimeter, ranking our top 10 wide receivers/tight ends with a list of others to watch in 2021.
We hope you enjoy our list and encourage you to check out the other position groups, which are linked below.
BCP Football Preseason Position Rankings: Offensive Linemen
With the defensive and special teams rankings behind us, it’s time to look at the area’s top offensive players. And we’ll start with the foundation of any productive offense: the offensive line.
For the fifth installment of our eight-part preseason position rankings series, we turn our attention to the trenches, ranking the Big Country’s top 10 offensive linemen with a list of others to watch in 2021.
We hope you enjoy reading through our rankings.
BCP Football Preseason Position Rankings: Kickers/Punters
After recognizing the top defensive players throughout the Big Country over the past three days, it’s time to honor the specialists.
We continue our eight-part preseason position rankings series by naming our top 10 kickers and top three punters to watch this fall.
We hope you enjoy this list and that you have enjoyed our position rankings as we get set to kickoff the 2021 season.
BCP Football Preseason Position Rankings: Defensive Backs
After starting with the linemen and linebackers, we turn to the defensive backfield to complete our look at the top defenders in the Big Country.
For the third installment in our eight-part preseason position rankings series, we shift our focus to the secondary, giving our list of the area’s top-10 defensive backs and others to look out for in 2021.
We hope you enjoy our list.
BCP Football Preseason Position Rankings: Linebackers
After taking a look at the Big Country’s top defensive linemen on Wednesday, it’s now time to examine those who will backing them in 2021.
Continuing with Big Country Preps’ eight-part preseason position rankings series, here’s our top 10 linebackers to watch this fall, as well as a list of the others we’re expecting big things from.
We hope you enjoy our list.
BCP Football Preseason Position Rankings: Defensive Linemen
With the start of football season around the corner, it’s time to take a look at the players who will be making the biggest impact in 2021.
For the first installment in an eight-part series that will cover all position groups, we’ll be taking a look at the area’s top defensive linemen, ranking our top 10 with a list of others to watch this fall.
As with any such list, these rankings are subjective. We hope you enjoy reading through them.
2021 DISTRICT PREDICTIONS: Evan and Daniel make their picks
Without further ado it is time for us to make our Big Country predictions, district-by-district.
This is the culmination of several weeks of research and two solid months of summertime labor, so we’re more than ready to post it.
So dive in and study our take on the upcoming season, along with the more than 80 preseason stories we posted earlier today. Enjoy! We’ll see you on the road.
EVAN REN: The top area games worth traveling to in 2021
Every year, one of the things I look forward to most, is mapping out the upcoming football season — charting the games I believe will have the greatest impact.
First and foremost, it’s a preseason menu for area fans who enjoy driving to some of the Big Country’s best football games on a weekly basis. Call it a football roadmap of sorts.
EVAN REN: Lucas embracing the challenge of moving up to 4A
SWEETWATER — The biggest coaching change in the Big Country over the offseason is unlikely to fade away quietly.
When long-time Hamlin coach Russell Lucas resigned in March to take the open job at Sweetwater, jumping two classifications (four divisions) from Class 2A DII to 4A DII, the heightened interest was automatically set into motion.
Are you kidding me? This is a great story.
2021 SWEETWATER PREVIEW: Lucas’ first Mustang team isn’t without talent
SWEETWATER — As first-year coach Russell Lucas begins his journey as the head of the Sweetwater football program, he can take comfort in knowing that he has inherited a cupboard that is anything but bare.
No fewer than 21 lettermen are expected to return from last year’s 8-2 squad, with five offensive and eight defensive starters among them. This includes standout quarterback Leo Holsey, who begins his fourth season behind center for the Mustangs after throwing for 2,261 yards and 31 scores a year ago.
More good news for the Mustangs: The new system Lucas is installing is quite similar to what they’ve been running at SHS for years, meaning the transition period should be relatively short.
COUNTDOWN TO TWO-A-DAYS: Sweetwater Mustangs
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 Saturday, Aug. 14. 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. 2, we’ll be spotlighting each 11-man team in the area and posing some of the key questions they’ll face in 2021 as part of our annual “Countdown to Two-a-Days” series.
Today, we stay in Class 4A Division II with the Sweetwater Mustangs. On Tuesday, we will take a look at the Big Spring Steers, followed by the Brownwood Lions on Wednesday.
All-Big Country Preps Softball Superlatives: Daniel, Gutierrez, Herrera headline the top spots
Here are our superlative award winners for the 2021 All-Big Country Preps softball team. For the rest of this year’s selections, click the links below.
- First-Team Selections
- Second-Team Selections (plus honorable mention)
- Big Country Preps All-Hustle Team (Monday night)
LIVE: State Track and Field Meet medalists and Big Country Placings (DAY 1)
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