FILE— White Deer’s Hunter Warminski breaks loose for a touchdown against Happy during a district game earlier this year. [Trevor Fleeman/ Press Pass Sports]
1. 10-0 looks so good
Ten weeks into the high school football regular season have come and gone, and only two teams in the Texas Panhandle remain undefeated — the Wellington Skyrockets, and Six-man’s own, Follett Panthers. The Panthers sits at 9-0 overall and clinched a shade of the District 1-1A Division II crown at 3-0 after their dominant 50-0 win against Miami Saturday. The No. 10-ranked Panthers have made a huge turnaround this year after an injury riddled 2019 season that ended with a 2-5 record. Follett‘s defense has been the catalyst for its success as the Panthers have only allowed 57 points on the year. The offense has been no slouch as well fueled by the consistent success of their run game powered by a duo of Jonathan Camacho and Shayne Franks. Follett goes for 10-0 and the outright district title hosting Hedley on Thursday.
2. The Cowboys take care of business
Happy was all smiles Friday night after wrapping up the District 1-1A Division I title by mercy-ruling McLean,56-6 at half. The Happy defense was dominant, holding McLean to only 133 yards on the night, forcing two interceptions, one of which was returned 78 yards for a pick-six by T.S. Bow. Stetson Jameson didn’t go unnoticed on Senior night, finishing his final home game with a 120 yards rushing on five carries for three touchdowns. The Cowboys (8-1, 3-0) will finish the regular season against Claude next week.
3. White Deer clinches playoff berth
In what was primed to be one of the biggest games of the night, White Deer made a statement by blowing out Valley, 74-34, to claim the No. 2-seed behind Happy in District 1-1A Division I. Unfortunately in a very competitive district a very talented Valley team will miss the playoffs, ending the year at 7-2 overall. White Deer (6-3, 2-1) will close out the regular season at McLean before getting ready for the Division I postseason.
4. Wolverines rally past Naz
The Wolverines had to pull out all of the stops Friday night in a thrilling come-from-behind 78-67 victory against upset-minded Nazareth. Swifts do-it-all star Luke Betzen put the Swifts up quickly getting a hand in on all five of the Swifts’ first half touchdowns as Nazareth led 38-26 at the half.
After Betzen’s fourth touchdown pass of the night late in the third quarter, the Wolverines found themselves trailing 60-40. It looked as though neither team could stop the other from scoring until the fourth quarter hit. Nazareth down two starters began to feel the fatigue, allowing Springlake-Earth an opportunity to get ahead. The Wolverines jumped on the Swifts in the fourth, outscoring Nazareth 30-7 in the final 10 minutes. The offensive explosion was due in part to Braxton Ethridge’s big game. The Wolverine back finished his night with 14 carries for 175 yards and three touchdowns. Evan DeLeon complimented the running game going 8-of-12 through the air for 174 yards and four scores. Earth (5-3, 3-0) can wrap up the District 2-1A Division I championship if they beat Kress on Friday.
5. Groom-Wildorado square off for district title
Not many saw the Wildorado Mustangs competing like they have entering their first full UIL season, yet here they are.
Kudos to head coach Ty James, and his players on the quick success, as the Mustangs sit at 8-1 overall and 2-0 in district.
Groom (8-1, 2-0) has been a heavy favorite to win District 2-1A Division II from the get go. Now the two meet to battle it out for the No. 1-seed at Wildorado on Friday night.
After Silverton and Hart folded due to COVID-19 concerns, then Groom was shutdown a week for the same reason, this matchup has been two weeks in the making. Will the new kids on the block be able to shock the world, or will the King’s of the Castle remain on top?
6. It’s been a fun ride
This will be the final Super-Six of the year with the UIL State Playoffs starting within the next couple of weeks. We here at Press Pass Sports appreciate all of those who read these recaps each week. Be sure and follow all of your Class 1A (Six-man) through the next six weeks of the postseason at presspasssports.com.
— Tommy King