After suffering through miserable week, teams in the all-Bosque County six-man District 12-1A, DII opens on the upswing; Jonesboro, Abbott top DI state poll
With Class 1A, Division I’s third-ranked Jonesboro Eagles (6-0) and fifth-ranked Abbott Panthers (6-0) idle before opening district play, the Heart of Texas six-man spotlight turned to other, less high-profile programs.
After enduring a winless week, the Bosque County six-man football teams rebounded to notch a few victories last Thursday and Friday nights before heading into District 12-1A, DII action this week.
Certainly, nothing has turned out as expected among the all-Bosque County league during the non-district schedule as injuries left each team playing shorthanded as some point in the early going.
As district competition opens this Friday night, the defending district Morgan Eagles (0-4) will have an open week to get ready as the Cranfills Gap Lions (3-3) will visit the 2020 runner-up Walnut Springs Hornets (2-4), while the Iredell Dragons (3-2) will play host to the Kopperl Eagles (0-4).
CRANFILLS GAP 57, BYNUM 40
Senior Cruz Flores caught two touchdown passes, rushed for another score, tossed a touchdown pass and returned a kickoff for a score to lead the surprising Class 1A, DII Cranfills Gap Lions to an impressive 57-40 road victory over the Class 1A, DI Bynum Bulldogs last Friday night.
After building a 30-20 advantage before halftime, the Lions matched Bynum score-for-score before putting the game away in the fourth quarter.
“We pulled ahead late and kept it,” Cranfills Gap head coach Adam Carroll said. “Our offense looked efficient and kept scoring with only a couple turnovers. The defense was swarming for most downs, but an occasional missed tackle would cost us some scores. District starts next week, and we have to be prepared for a well-coached Walnut Springs team.”
Flores rushed for a game-high 176 yards while catching five passes for 103 yards and leading the defensive unit with 22 tackles. Junior Aiden Doty completed six of eight passes for 111 yards and two touchdowns to Flores while Case Koehler hauled in an 18-yard scoring strike from Flores.
Sophomore Trenton Roberson added two rushing touchdowns while Elias Marquez Peter producing another running score. Defensively, sophomore Blake Allen collected 10 tackles, followed by Marquez Peter with seven.
LINGLEVILLE 58, WALNUT SPRINGS 6
Playing shorthanded for the third straight week, the Class 1A, DII Walnut Springs Hornets could not keep pace with Class 1A, DI Lingleville as the Cardinals soared to a convincing 58-6 home victory last Friday night.
“It’s tough enough playing a team that’s as physical and athletic as Lingleville,” said Walnut Springs head coach Lonnie Flippen as the Hornets played without starters Pablo Gonzales and Anthony Muniz, “But when you leave two starters at home, it makes it much more difficult. We were not able to get anything going offensively or defensively, so we just took a good ole country whipping.”
Diego Muniz passed to Josue Ontiveros for the scored the lone Hornet touchdown, while Jordan led the Walnut Springs defense with four tackles.
“Cranfiils Gap is coming off a big win against Bynum,” Flippen said. “We just have to put the last three weeks behind us and try to get prepared on a short week. I think our kids know what’s on the line. We just have to prepare and hope we are at full strength.”
MULLIN 60, KOPPERL 0
Fielding a young, inexperienced team, the Kopperl Eagles proved to be no match for 20th-ranked Mullin as the Bulldogs made quick work of the visiting team for dominating 60-0 victory last Friday night.
“It was a tough loss, but the team showed a lot of heart and character Friday night,” Kopperl first-year head coach Aaron Maxwell said. “We have had a very challenging non-district schedule, and that’s good for us. We’re excited and ready to get the district season kicked off this week.”
MORGAN vs. BORDEN COUNTY – Cancelled due to weather
After playing a little more than a quarter, the showdown between the Class 1A, DII Morgan Eagles and Class 1A, DI Borden County Coyotes was cancelled due to weather. With both teams looking for their first win of the season, Borden County led 14-8 after the first quarter, but the Eagles were driving when cancelled due to lightning detected in the area.
“We began to spread the field and marched down the field to make a quick score,” Morgan head coach Edward Aviles said. “We just started the second quarter when there was lighting nearby according to the lightning meter.”
Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS
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