Happy’s Stetson Jameson (4) looks for yards against Sterling City on Thursday. [ Bobbie Brown/ Texas 1A Fan]
1. Follett asserts dominance
Coming into this game the Panthers weren’t a lock for many to come away with a win. So, Follett took its doubters to heart and proved why they deserve to be in the conversation as a Division II contender with a 52-8 against Nueces Canyon.
It was the power tandem of Jonathan Camacho and Shayne Franks that took control for the Panthers. Camacho led the team with 24 rushes for 156 yards and three touchdowns as Franks tacked on another three scores to go with his 19 carries and 120 yards. He also added a pick six on the defensive side.
2. White Deer survives
The White Deer Bucks took the lead with a 1:15 left on the clock, and their defense then sealed a 64-63 victory holding Springlake-Earth on its final drive. Hunter Warminski was asked to take on 20 rushes for 225 yards and three house calls. After five straight weeks on the road the Bucks finally get a home game hosting Nazareth on Friday.
3. Happy falls in battle of top 10’s
The Cowboys were not supposed to make it four quarters in this game in the opinion of many. The Cowboys forgot listen to those opinions. Not only did Happy make it four quarters, they made the game close every step of the way for No. 2-ranked Sterling City in a tough 50-42 loss. Happy has many things to hold up its heads for and most important was the spectacular play of Stetson Jameson. The senior was a perfect 8-of-8 on passes racking up 155 and two touchdowns, and carried it 25 times for 182 yards and two more scores.
4. The Swifts are close
After their 70-50 loss to No. 1 Balmorhea, Nazareth is a team under .500 after five weeks of action. However, the Swifts losses have come to top 10 teams in either division. Groom, Happy, and now Balmorhea have each got the best of the Swifts, but only by an average of 15 points. In a game where there’s huge separation between the bottom and top of the pack, I still believe Nazareth is on the top half. They have another chance at a top team this week as they head to White Deer.
5. Wildorado wins thriller
This young Mustangs program hasn’t been a part of too many close games, but it pulled out a 23-22 win against Amherst on Friday night. “It was a great feeling knowing that we understand how to win close games,” Wildorado head coach Ty James said. “Our players displayed a lot of heart.”
Harris Albracht was a force for the Mustangs offense toting the ball for 177 yards and three touchdowns. Tyler Espenson was a rock for the impressive Wildorado defense. Espenson compiled 10 and a half tackles, forced a fumble, and had a fumble recovery.
6. Who’s left
With the addition of Class 6A-5A schools, there now only 10 undefeated teams in the Texas Panhandle, and only two of those reside in the Six-man ranks. Follett (5-0) have just one more game before they get into district play where they are heavily favored. The other undefeated program is the Valley Patriots. The Patriots (3-0) have had to take the last two weeks off due to Covid-19 concerns but look to get back in the groove come Week 6.