Randall’s Brayden Beck finds running room against Abilene Wylie during a District 3-5A Division II clash Friday night at Happy State Bank Stadium. [Trevor Fleeman/ Press Pass Sports]
With their playoff lives on the line the Randall Raiders stepped up when they needed to most and nabbed a crucial 28-14 win against Abilene Wylie in a District 3-5A Division II clash on Friday night at Happy State Bank Stadium in Canyon.
The Raiders had seen these type of games slip away this season, but they got the lead in the second half and didn’t let up in their final home game.
WIth the score tied at halftime, Randall got the second half kickoff and had a three-and-out, giving Wylie a short field at the Randall 44-yard line. But on the next play, Wylie’s Josh Carpenter fumbled after a 7-yard gain and and Randall’s Mason Gilbert recovered. On the ensuing drive, scooted through a hole for a 42-yard touchdown run to give the Raiders a 14-7 lead they’d never relinquished.
Randall opened up the lead on the first play of the fourth quarter. Running Brayden Beck took a swing pass from Braxton Burd and went 13 yards for a score to make it 21-7. It was Burd’s second scoring pass of the game.
Beck scored two touchdowns on the night, rushing for 133 yards on only 11 carries. He also helped do his part for a Raiders defense that held the Bulldogs to 175 yards of offense. Byrd completed 11-of-16 passes for 136 yards with two TDs.
Randall (4-4) is now 2-2 in district and in good position for a playoff spot. Wylie falls to 3-2, 1-2.
Randall 28, Abilene Wylie 14
Wylie 7 7 — 14
Randall 0 7 7 14 — 28
Lubbock Coronado QB Sawyer Robertson eludes pressure during a 45-13 win against Amarillo High at PlainsCapital Park at Lowrey Field on Friday. [Billy Watson/ Hub City Preps]
Coronado hands Sandies second straight loss
Turnovers and the arm of Mississippi State commit Sawyer Robertson were too much for Amarillo High to overcome, as Lubbock Coronado dismantled the Sandies 45-13 in a District 2-5A Division I clash on Friday at PlainsCapital Park at Lowrey Field in Lubbock
The No. 7-ranked Mustangs, led by former Caprock coach Seth Parr, showed how dominant their defense is this season forcing four AHS interceptions, holding the Sandies to a negative rushing attack, and 184 total yards. The loss spoiled the return of senior starting quarterback Will Maynard. Maynard was making his first start since an injury to Midland High in Week 2. Maynard showed glimpses of his talent but was picked off twice, going 6-of-13 for 187 yards. Backup Brock Wade came in later in the contest for Maynard and suffered the same fate with two interceptions of his own.
The Mustangs took advantage of the miscues and never let this become a ball game opening the first quarter with three Robertson TD tosses, and a touchdown run. Robertson, who has verbally committed to head coach Mike Leach at Mississippi State, was on point throwing for 496 yards on 29-of-41 passing with four touchdowns.
AHS has suddenly dropped back-to-back games in district falling to 2-2 in district and 4-3 overall. Coronado stays undefeated on the year at 7-0, 3-0.
Coronado 45, Amarillo High 13
Amarillo High 7 6 — 13
Coronado 14 17 14 — 45
Dons nab first win of season
In a win to stay in the playoff picture, Palo Duro picked up its first win of the season with a big second half running the football to prevail over Lubbock HIgh in a District 2-5A Division I matchup at Dick Bivins Stadium.k
The first half was an offensive struggle as Palo Duro (1-5, 1-2 in district) trailed 6-3 at halftime. But the Dons came to life offensively, especially running the ball, as they ran for 191 of their 224 yards in the second half.
Avery Randle played quarterback for Palo Duro and ran for 93 yards and three touchdowns on only 12 carries. DeZhaun GIlbreath had eight catches for 85 yards.
The Dons overcame a big night for Lubbock (2-4, 0-4) throwing the ball as Brandon Smith threw for 247 yards and three touchdowns. Noe Tijerina had a big night catching the ball for the Westerners with five catches for 149 yards and two touchdowns.
Palo Duro 27, Lubbock High 20
Lub. High 6 14 — 20
Palo Duro 3 14 10 — 27