Class 1A, DI State Semifinals Highlights:
MAY TIGERS 92, BLUM BOBCATS 86 (OT)

In a wild Class 1A, Division I State Semifinal shootout, the third-ranked May Tigers prevailed by getting a defensive stop when they needed it most to dethrone the defending state champion Blum Bobcats, 92-86, in overtime at Bob & Norma Cervetto Stadium in Dublin Saturday night.

In an instant classic, May running back Kaden Halk outraced everyone for a 25-yard touchdown run on the first play of overtime to put the Tigers (13-1) out front.

But after May missed the two-point conversion kick, the Tiger defense rose to the occasion to deny Blum (9-4) a return trip to the State Championship game scheduled for Dec. 16 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington.

Class 1A, DII State Semifinals Highlights:
RICHLAND SPRINGS 59, STRAWN GREYHOUNDS 56

The Class 1A, Division II defending state champion and fifth-ranked Richland Springs Coyotes survived a furious fourth quarter comeback to hold off the eighth-ranked Strawn Greyhounds, 59-56, last Friday night in a State Semifinal rematch at Bob & Norma Cervetto Stadium in Dublin.

Although Richland Springs (12-0) enjoyed 53-34 advantage with 7:54 left in the game, the Greyhounds (11-3) rallied to pull within three points with 1:04 remaining. Strawn senior Luke Eli pulled down an interception to give the Greyhounds the ball at their own 38-yard line with 45 seconds on the clock.

On the game’s final play, Strawn quarterback Kadin Parsons avoided getting sacked long enough to dump the ball off to Eli, who was forced out of bounds at the Richland Springs five-yard line as time expired.

Class 1A, DII State Quarterfinals Highlights:
RICHLAND SPRINGS 48, CALVERT TROJANS 34

The Class 1A, Division II defending state champion and fifth-ranked Richland Springs Coyotes hung on to eliminate the seventh-ranked Calvert Trojans, 48-34, in a Class 1A, Division II State Quarterfinal matchup Friday night at Hico’s historic Tiger Stadium.

Getting one step closer to claiming their 10th state championship since 2004, the Coyotes (11-0) knocked off Calvert (9-3) for the ninth time in 12 postseason showdowns since 2002. Trailing 48-14 early in the third quarter, the Trojans scored 20 unanswered points to make the enthusiastic Richland Springs faithful uneasy until the final second ticked off the clock.

Class 1A, DII Area Playoff Highlights:
RICHLAND SPRINGS 70, OGLESBY TIGERS 38

The Class 1A, Division II defending state champion and sixth-ranked Coyotes held off the surprising Oglesby Tigers, 70-44, in an Area Playoff matchup Friday night at Hico’s historic Tiger Stadium.

After making the playoffs for the first time since 1983 under head coach Jeb Dixon, Oglesby (10-2) battled back in the second half despite falling behind early. But under the direction of head coach Jerry Burkhart, Richland Springs (10-0) came up with late turnovers to secure the victory as the Coyotes seek their 10th state championship since 2004.

Class 1A, DII Bi-District Playoff Highlights:
GORDON 30, MORGAN 28

In a Class 1A, Division II Bi-District playoff game, the 19th-ranked Gordon Longhorns rallied not once, but twice in the fourth quarter to slip past the 15th-ranked Morgan Eagles, 30-28, last Friday night at Gorman’s historic Brogdon Field.

Morgan (8-3) grabbed a 28-22 advantage with 7:49 left in the game, but Gordon (8-3) came right back to recapture the lead 1:09 later. Despite coming up with two Longhorn turnovers late in the fourth quarter, Morgan failed to capitalize.

Class 1A, DII Bi-District Playoff Highlights:
STRAWN 46, WALNUT SPRINGS 0

In a Class 1A, Division II Bi-District playoff game, the 11th-ranked Strawn Greyhounds posted a convincing 46-0 victory over the Walnut Springs Hornets Thursday night at Hico’s historic Tiger Field.

Despite a strong start by Walnut Springs (7-4), the District 11-1A, DII champion Greyhounds (9-2) took control of the game early, scoring quickly and often on their way to securing the win by virtue of the 45-point mercy rule at halftime.

Class 2A Game Of The Week:
HICO 17, MERIDIAN 0

With the Meridian Yellowjackets looking to clinch a Class 2A, Division II playoff berth, the Hico Tiger shocked the Jackets by winning 17-0 to snap a seven-game losing streak and move into District 8-2A, DII postseason contention.

The Tigers (1-3, 2-7) used a ball-control, time-consuming ground game to drive for two scores while their attacking defense kept the Meridian (1-2, 3-4) offensive unit off schedule the entire game.

Class 1A Game Of The Week:
MORGAN 52, CRANFILLS GAP 6

In their District 12-1A, Division II opener, the 15th-ranked Morgan Eagles soared to a resounding 52-6 victory over the defending district champion Cranfills Gap Lions at John Bryant Field in Morgan Friday night.

Morgan (1-0, 5-2) closed the door on Cranfills Gap (0-2, 1-5) with 8:25 left in the third quarter by virtue of the 45-point mercy rule.

Class 3A Game Of The Week:
CLIFTON 41, FLORENCE 3

Coming off a crushing defeat in Rogers last week, the Clifton Cubs celebrated Homecoming Night with a dominating 41-3 victory over the Florence Buffaloes in a District 13-3A, Division II matchup Friday night at Cub Stadium.

Florence (0-2, 0-6) scored first on its opening possession, but then it was all Clifton (2-1, 3-4) the rest of the way.

Class 1A Game Of The Week:
WALNUT SPRINGS 76, LINGLEVILLE 28

On Homecoming Night in Walnut Springs, the young Hornets (4-2) celebrating with a convincing 76-28 victory over the Lingleville Cardinals to wrap up the non-district schedule at Hornet Field Saturday night.

Walnut Springs ended the game by virtue of the 45-point mercy rule with only 1:57 left in the fourth quarter. Be sure to check out the Morgan High School Homecoming Court at halftime.

Class 3A Game Of The Week:
CLIFTON 36, RIESEL 19

Looking for their seventh straight trip to the postseason, the Clifton Cubs won their District 13-3A, Division II opener by wearing down the Riesel Indians, 36-19, Friday night at Cub Stadium.

Clinging to an 8-6 lead at intermission, the Cubs (1-0 in district, 2-3 overall) opened it up in the second half and put Riesel (0-1, 2-3) away in the fourth quarter.

Class 3A Game Of The Week:
CLIFTON 43, TENAHA 26

After opening the 2020 season with three straight narrow losses to larger classification schools, the Class 3A, Division II Clifton Cubs claimed their first win of the season in dramatic fashion in a thrilling second half comeback to overcome the Class 2A, DII perennial powerhouse Tenaha Tigers, 43-26, Friday night at Cub Stadium.

Trailing 20-7 at halftime, the Cubs capitalized on two fumbles to get back in the game before putting Tenaha away late.

Class 2A Game Of The Week:
MERIDIAN 7, BARTLETT 0

After snapping a 13-game losing streak with a 27-0 victory over the Frost Polar Bears last week, the Meridian Yellowjackets established a two-game winning streak with the win over the Bartlett Bulldogs Friday night.

On Homecoming Night at Jacket Stadium, Meridian celebrated with a hard-fought defensive struggle, blanking Bartlett, 7-0.

Class 1A Game Of The Week:
JONESBORO JV 34, WALNUT SPRINGS 16

Coming off a hard-fought 39-30 season-opening victory over Three Way, the Class 1A, DII Walnut Springs Hornets visited Jonesboro Thursday, taking on the junior varsity squad of Class 1A, DI’s second-ranked team.

The Hornets fell behind early and could never make up the difference despite battling until the final seconds rolled off the clock, losing 34-16 at Pruitt Field in Jonesboro.

Class 3A Game Of The Week:
SANGER 25, CLIFTON 14

Playing in Aledo’s Bearcat Stadium, the young and inexperienced Class 3A, Division II’s 21st-ranked Clifton Cubs took on the up-and-coming Class 4A, DII Sanger Indians in the 2020 season opener Friday night.

Although the Cubs led 14-6 going into the fourth quarter, Sanger rallied to win, 25-14.