RIVALRIES REVISITED

Class 1A, DII’s 25th-ranked Cranfills Gap Lions win big, Morgan Eagles soar over Walnut Springs Hornets in Bosque County six-man shootout

For the first time since the five Bosque County six-man football teams were moved out of a league of their own, two long-time rivals squared off in a non-district game and produced a wild shootout. In fact, the Morgan-Walnut Springs showdown kicked off a slate of games featuring matchups between former district rivals from Bosque County.

This week, Iredell visits Morgan Friday, while Walnut Springs plays host to Kopperl for homecoming night Saturday. Both games will be highlighted as THE SPORTS BUZZ Games Of The Week.

And in the Heart of Texas region’s marquee matchup last week, the Class 1A, Division II’s 25th-ranked Cranfills Gap Lions knocked off the TAIAO Division II’s fourth-ranked Stephenville Faith Knights.

CRANFILLS GAP 50, STEPHENVILLE FAITH 26

Junior Adan Flores scored four touchdowns and senior Aiden Doty threw for four scores as the Class 1A, Division II’s 25th-ranked Cranfills Gap Lions clawed their way past the TAIAO Division II’s fourth-ranked Stephenville Faith Knights, 50-26, in a non-district showdown on the road last Friday night.

Doty completed eight of 13 passes for 246 yards while tossing scoring strikes to four different receivers and Flores rushed for 123 yards and three touchdowns while added a 65-yard touchdown reception as the Lions (5-1) knocked off previously unbeaten Stephenville Faith (5-1). Senior Case Koehler hauled in two catches for 54 yards and a touchdown, while junior Blake Allen finished with two receptions for 58 yards and a score.

“I am really proud of the way the boys fought through early diversity,” Cranfills Gap head coach Rodie Johnston said. “We trailed 19-8 after the first quarter, but the guys never gave up and played a solid game the rest of the way. Offensively, we were able to run the ball to set up pass plays, and defensively, we were flying to the ball and making plays. It was a good night all around for the Lions.”

Defensively, sophomore Logan Viss led Cranfills Gap with 15 tackles, followed by Allen with 10 and freshman Diego Rodriguez with nine.

MORGAN 85, WALNUT SPRINGS 46

Sophomore EJ Aviles tossed three touchdown passes and ran for three more to lead the Morgan Eagles over Bosque County rival Walnut Springs, 85-46, last Friday night.

Posting back-to-back wins for the first time this season, Morgan (3-3) battled to establish a 38-30 halftime lead before reeling off 20 unanswered points in the third quarter to take control of the game.

“Overall, our efforts to score have been a strength,” Morgan head coach Eduardo Aviles said. “It took some time for the defense to find ways to stop the Hornets. But the Eagles were able to make some adjustments that allowed us to get the win. I am proud of the team’s resilience to get better on offense, defense, and special teams.”

Losing for the second straight time, Walnut Springs (3-3) played shorthanded and could not overcome a rash of injuries. Sophomore Josue Ontiveros tossed six touchdown passes in the loss, passing for 197 yards and rushing for 71 more. Juniors Santos Pina and Brenden Shuemake hauled in two scoring strikes apiece.

“Every loss is a tough one, but to have so many kids hurt is my concern,” Walnut Springs head coach Lonnie Flippen said. “We sent one to the hospital Friday night with a concussion. We just can’t get a break. But that’s probably not a good word to use with the way things have been going.”

For Morgan, Aviles rushed for a game-high 149 yards and three touchdowns while senior Adrian Vera-Rico ran for 141 yards and three scores, and sophomore Zach Mitchell caught two touchdown passes. Defensively, freshman Adrian Alonzo and Aviles led the Eagles with 15 tackles each, followed by Vera-Rico with 14 and senior Kason Sims with 11.

KOPPERL 34, MULLIN 24

Snapping a two-game losing streak, the Kopperl Eagles pulled off a dramatic 34-24 victory over the Mullin Bulldogs last Friday night.

“Our boys prepared all week to win this game,” Kopperl first-year head coach Darrell Wallace said. “Not only was it our homecoming, but we knew we needed to win a big game. I couldn’t be more proud of our boys.”

IREDELL 58, GHOLSON 8

The Iredell Dragons made quick work of the Gholson Wildcats, 58-8, last Friday by virtue of the 45-point mercy rule to snap a two-game skid.

“It was a great win for our team,” Iredell head coach Luis Guereca said. “Our defense is flying to the ball, and offensively, we are improving. The team is trusting the process, and the results are showing. I’m very proud of the work the team is putting in.”