BOSQUE BATTLING SETBACKS

CLASS 1A SIX-MAN ROUNDUP: In battle of state-ranked teams, DII’s fourth-ranked Iredell taken down by DI’s fifth-ranked May; Walnut Springs snaps two-game skid, Morgan and Cranfills Gap fall

As Bosque County six-man squads move closer to opening district competition, efforts to challenge area teams to reach for a higher level and fine tune for the playoff chase that lies ahead produced mixed results.

While the Walnut Springs Hornets (3-2) snapped a two-game losing streak as they prepare to play in Class 1A, Division I for the first time in eight years, the Class 1A, Division II eighth-ranked Iredell Dragons (3-2) took a beating as it continues to face the gauntlet during its non-district tour of Division I opponents.

In the meantime, the Kopperl Eagles (3-1) were forced to stand idle last Friday due to their opponent cancelling the game, while the Morgan Eagles (2-3) fell short in a 63-44 shootout with Buckholts, and the short-handed Cranfills Gap Lions (0-5) continue to work toward overcoming injuries in time for district play.

WALNUT SPRINGS 26, GARLAND CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 18

After opening the season with three straight victories, the Walnut Springs Hornets snapped a two-game losing streak with the hard-fought road win over Garland Christian Academy, 26-18, on the road last Friday night in a low-scoring defensive struggle.

Senior quarterback Josue Ontiveros threw for three scores, and senior running back Jesse Lamb ran for one touchdown and caught a pass for another to give the Hornets all the offense they need to get the win.

” I thought we came up big in this game, trying to establish some momentum getting ready for district,” Walnut Springs head coach Richard Dye said. “It was important for us to play well on both sides of the ball, and we did just that.

Needing to overcome three turnovers and untimely penalties, the Hornets (3-2) trailed most for most of three quarters. But with Ontiveros utilizing Lamb, sophomore Jesus Rodriguez and senior Angel Muniz coming out of the backfield, the Walnut Springs running game took control in the fourth quarter. Lamb led Walnut Springs with 65 yards rushing on 12 carries, followed by Rodriguez with 58 yards on eight totes.

Completing eight of 14 passes for 76 yards, Ontiveros connected with Lamb, junior Landon Chambers and senior Dawson Gomez on scoring strikes.

“I thought our running game really stepped it up,” Dye said. “All three of our backs and our quarterback out of the spread had some great runs all night long. And Josue was able to get the ball to our receivers, Dawson Gomez and Landon Chambers, when we needed big yardage. Center Deegan Murrah had his best game, too.”

Defensively, Lamb led the Hornets with five tackles, followed by junior Ashton Shuemake with four as well as Ontiveros and Rodriguez with three each while Ontiveros came up with a key fumble recovery.

“Except for a couple of big plays, our defense got back on track,” Dye said. “I feel like it was the most physical our defense has been all year. We held them deep in their own territory in the fourth to end up scoring the touchdown that put the game away.”

To close out their non-district schedule, the Hornets (3-2) will host the Class 1A, DI Jonesboro JV on Homecoming Night at 7 p.m. Saturday.

“Jonesboro has a formidable program all the way up and down,” Dye said. “So I know the ones we play will be well-coached and fundamentally sound. Coach Gallegos has done a great job over there for a long time. We need to cut out the mistakes this week, and focus on hitting on all cylinders.”

MAY 62, IREDELL 14

Taking on the Class 1A, DI fifth-ranked and undefeated May Tigers, the Class 1A, DII’s previously fourth-ranked Iredell Dragons proved no match in the showcase of state-ranked teams as the Tigers handed Iredell a disappointing 62-14 home loss last Friday night.

“I felt like, going into the game, we were up for the challenge and ready to take it on,” Iredell head coach Luis Guereca said. “Unfortunately, from the start, we could not get any momentum on our side. As they kept pulling away, I was proud of our guys on how they kept working hard and kept fighting.”

With junior Cole Heutzenroder providing Iredell’s only scores on a five-yard touchdown run and a 48-yard kickoff return, the Tigers (5-0) jumped out to a 32-0 first quarter lead and never looked back before closing out the win early in the third quarter by virtue of the 45-point mercy rule.

“With a team like May, the mistakes are even more crucial,” Guereca said. “They took advantage of every single mistake in the first half. On both ends of offense and defense, we could not be consistent enough to make up ground on the whole we dug ourselves in.

“In the end, we just need to get better each week to get us ready for district play and look to improve through district as well.”

Iredell (3-2) will wrap up the non-district schedule with a road game at the Class 1A, DI Gholson Wildcats (2-2) at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Wildcats will be coming off an open date after crushing Blum 46-14 two weeks ago.

“Gholson will be a good game to follow up after May,” Guereca said. “They will test you offensively and defensively. And that will give us an indication on how much we have improved this week. Do we keep making the same mistakes, or do we turn it around to give us a big win, after a tough loss?”

BUCKHOLTS 63, MORGAN 44

With the Morgan Eagles unable to slow down a prolific aerial attack, the Buckholts Badgers soared past the Eagles, 63-44, in a wild shootout on Homecoming Night in Morgan last Friday night.

Buckholts freshman Marc King tossed four touchdown passes while senior Anthony Saloman threw four more scoring strikes and caught one himself as the Badgers (1-4) posted their first win of the season.

“We faced a lot of adversity with injuries and illness, which made it difficult to perform at a top level,” Morgan head coach Alan Berrio said. “Despite our efforts, it just wasn’t enough to secure a win. We’re in a learning phase right now. And while this loss stings, it’s part of the growth process. We’ll use this experience to regroup and improve moving forward.”

Despite putting up 44 points, the Eagles (2-3) turned the ball over four times with two fumbles and two interceptions, while the Badgers kept the Morgan passing game under constant pressure with four hurries and two sacks.

“Offensively, we’re still working through a lot of adjustments,” Berrio said. “We’re implementing new plays and formations, and the team is still struggling with alignment and execution. There were flashes of good work, but finishing plays consistently remains an issue. This is something we’ll focus on in practice to improve moving forward.”

Shredding the Eagles through the air, King completed 16 of 20 passes for 252 yards while Saloman completed another six passes on seven attempts for 140 yards. With a complementary running game that produced 126 yards on only 11 carries, the Badgers proved basically unstoppable for Morgan.

“Defensively, it was tough out there,” Berrio said. “With the injuries and players not at full strength, our defensive unit struggled to keep up, especially against some of the big plays. There were moments when we held them well. But overall, we need more consistency in executing our defensive strategies.

“I’m proud of the heart and effort the team has shown despite the setbacks. We’re still learning, still figuring things out with our new offensive schemes, but I have confidence in this group. It’s all about growth, and while we’ve had a tough go, I believe we’ll get better as we gain more experience and familiarity with the playbook.

With one more non-district game before opening district, Morgan will hit the road to take on the undefeated Gustine Tigers (4-0) at 7 p.m. Friday.

“Gustine is a tough, undefeated team, coming off a big 76-66 win, so we know they’ll be a challenge,” Berrio said. “But we’re focused on improving and taking what we’ve learned from the last few games into this matchup. It’s a great opportunity for us to test ourselves and grow as a team. We’ll be working hard to iron out the kinks in our offense and defensive alignment. And hopefully, we can put together a more complete performance.”

LINGLEVILLE 51, CRANFILLS GAP 0

Despite playing on Homecoming Night in Cranfills Gap, the short-handed and injury-depleted Lions proved no match for Class 1A, Division I Lingleville as the Cardinals made quick work of the Lions, 52-0, wrapping up the win at halftime by virtue of the 45-point mercy rule.

“Offensively, we still have a lot of work to do,” Cranfills Gap head coach Josh Raulston said. “Our blocking isn’t there, and it was tough to move the ball. Defense was a little better, but we were out-manned. And there’s not much you can do when a team is just more athletic than you are. I was glad to see a little more fight out of our guys.”

Before opening district play, the Lions (0-5) will host the Kopperl Eagles (3-1) at 7:30 p.m. Friday. The Eagles will be coming off an open date.

“Kopperl is our last chance to clean up our blocking and tackling before district starts,” Raulston said. “Hopefully, we can have some returning starters for our upcoming battle with Priddy. But for now, the focus is to get better at blocking against Kopperl.”

KOPPERL at AVALON JV, Cancelled

Although the Kopperl Eagles were originally scheduled to play Campbell last Friday, the Indians decided to drop due to travel distance concerned, leaving Kopperl with an open date this week. The Eagles tentatively planned to fill the date with the Avalon JV, but they pulled out early last week.

“We were disappointed about not getting to play,” Kopperl head coach Ken Davis said. “But the guys practiced well, and it gave us a little extra time to heal up from previous games.”

This week, the Eagles (3-1) will visit the injury-depleted Cranfills Gap Lions (0-5) at 7 p.m. Friday prior to getting another open date before starting district play. Playing short-handed for the last two weeks after being forced to cancel one game, the Lions are coming off a 51-0 loss to the Class 1A, DI Lingleville Cardinals.

“The Gap will be a challenge even though they have had some injuries,” Davis said. “Playing at their field is always tough, and we never take anyone lightly. Hopefully, the team will stay focused this week, and we will get some momentum going into district play.”

Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS