Pigskin Review

Caprock about to end a 35-year wait

noreply@blogger.com (Lance Lahnert) — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 00:42:00 +0000

The Caprock Longhorns will play their first playoff game in 35 years on a chilly, windy night at Memorial Stadium.
Who cares.
This is going to be a real treat for me.
I joined the Amarillo Globe-News staff back in 1982 and will have the honor of covering The Rock in their first football playoff game since 1975.
I watched the warmups and Caprock seems calm and poised. It is windy so we will see how these conditions determine the play calling for Caprock's spread offense.
Wichita Falls Rider has an average crowd at best, considering this is a home game. The reason it's here is because Caprock lost a coin flip for home and home.
Here's what we are looking at tonight as far as history goes:
A win by Caprock tonight means the 2010 Longhorns would win nine games and tie the 1975 for the most wins in school history. Caprock opened in 1963.
A win by Caprock would be the second football playoff victory in school history.

Playoffs begin early in District 1-2A Division II

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 01:41:00 +0000

The playoffs begin a week early for four teams in District 1-2A Division II.

With Sanford-Fritch having locked up the district title with a 6-0 record, four teams are left to battle it out for the two remaining bidistrict berths.

Spearman, at 7-2 overall, travels to Tulia to meet the 5-4 Hornets with the winner moving on to next week's bidistrict round.

Abernathy (5-4) is at Floydada (5-4) in the other game that will determine a bidistrict competitor next week.

And, depending on which teams win, they will play either Stanton or Coahoma next week in the opening round of the playoffs.

District 1-2A Division I cut and dried

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 00:36:00 +0000

When the season began I thought District 1-2A Division I that featured Muleshoe, Bushland, Littlefield, Lubbock Roosevelt, Friona, River Road, Childress and Slaton would be a hotly contested one.

I was wrong as Muleshoe, Bushland and Littlefield just pulled away from the rest. With one game remaining all of them are 5-1 in district play and have secured playoff berths.

In fact, many of the games have been really lopsided this season. Nothing like I thought. Maybe we in the media gave too many of the teams too much credit when in fact they were really very average to mediocre.

District 1-2A Division II turned out to be a much better district race. Sanford-Fritch went 6-0 to win it outright, but going into Friday's final night of the regular season Tulia, Spearman, Abernathy and Floydada still have a shot at reaching the playoffs.

In fact, Spearman is at Tulia while Abernathy and Floydada meet. The winners advance to the playoffs while the losers are done.

Eagles go for 1st outright district title in 10 years

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Thu, 28 Oct 2010 19:10:00 +0000

Sanford-Fritch's Eagles go for their first outright district title in 10 years when they travel to Spearman Friday.

The last time S-Fritch won a district title outright was 2000 when it was in District 1-3A.

The Eagles are 5-0 right now in District 1-2A Division II and with a win will claim the title outright. Spearman, however, can still earn a share of the title by winning Friday and next week at Tulia.

S-Fritch sophomore running back Colton Valle has rushed for more than 1,300 yards and 21 TDs this season. The Lynx have pretty much been a run-by-committee with Cameron Meddock leading the way.

Tascosa-Coronado game delayed

noreply@blogger.com (Lance Lahnert) — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 01:25:00 +0000

Sitting here in the Lowrey Field press box in Lubbock waiting the start of the Tascosa-Lubbock Coronado District 2-5A game.
Rain and lightning have forced the delay.
Kickoff was set for 7:30 p.m. and the game looks like it won't start any earlier than 9:30 p.m., even 10 p.m.
The rain has been so strong one long puddle reaches from goal-line to goal-line on the sideline. Most of the yard markers have floated to one end of the field.
My only thought?
Too bad this isn't a natural turf field.
Would love to see an old school game in the mud.
Tascosa coach Ken Plunk wants to get this game in tonight because Lowrey hosts a doubleheader Friday and then a band contest all day Saturday. That means if this game can't be played tonight, look for a neutral site game.

Can Wildcats beat Stratford at home this year?

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 22:31:00 +0000

The Canadian vs. Stratford series has been a great one over the last four years.

The one thing that stands out most is the home team has not won during that span.

This season sure points to a Canadian win at home on Friday, but never underestimate a Stratford team that seems to rise to the occasion.

The Elks won two years ago at Canadian by a 17-7 margin when things looked very similar to this season.

One thing's certain. It sure promises to be an entertaining game no matter which team wins.

Dalhart headed for 10-0 regular season

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 04:02:00 +0000

Dalhart improved to 8-0 with an impressive 41-10 road win at Perryton Friday and heading into its home meeting this week against Borger sure appears to be the team to beat in District 1-3A.

This year's team is now two wins from posting a 10-0 regular season record for the first time since 1963, and if it continues playing the way it has so far it's kind of hard to imagine the Wolves not doing it.

Borger, however, should pose a solid threat to pull off an upset despite a 3-4 season record that easily could be better. The Bulldogs, like the Wolves, like to run the ball and do it well with Shavoyiea Clement and Ty Brown.

This one should be a knock-down-drag-out from start to finish.

Falcons face another tough test

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 22:22:00 +0000

For the second time in three weeks the Bushland Falcons face one of the elite teams in District 1-2A Division I Friday when they host 5-1 Littlefield.

The teams are tied for first place with 3-0 district records and the winner will grab sole possession of the top spot with three games remaining.

Bushland ended Muleshoe's 30-game regular season win streak two weeks ago. Littlefield has won 20 straight district games while the Falcons have won 13 district games in a row. Something has to give here.

It's the classic run vs. pass matchup as Littlefield likes to run the ball while the Falcons throw it all over the place out of their spread offense.

It should be a dandy, to say the least.

1963 Dalhart team won 13-straight games

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 19:58:00 +0000

My thanks go out to Vic Chandler, courtesy of an email he sent me.

I had wondered if Dalhart had ever gone unbeaten during the regular season and he answered my question.

According to Mr. Chandler, the 1963 Golden Wolves actually won 13-straight games before losing to Rockwall by a 35-7 margin in the Class 2A state semifinals.

Dalhart was coached by Doug Ethridge and one of his assistants was the late, great Greg Sherwood.

Will the 'Rock make history?

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 19:07:00 +0000

The Caprock Longhorns' 31-28 overtime win Friday at Hereford left the football team 6-0 in a season for the first time in history.

With four weeks remaining in the regular season the question now is can they run the table and record the first-ever 10-0 regular season in history.

Making the playoffs for the first time since 1975 is now a foregone conclusion. Only a complete meltdown the rest of the way will prevent that and I for one don't think it will happen. This team is simply too good.

I'm going to say right here and now that the 'Horns will go 10-0. They have Dumas on the road Friday, Canyon at home on Oct. 21, at Plainview on Oct. 29 and Palo Duro on Nov. 5.

It will take a huge stumble by Caprock to lose to any of those teams. None appears to have enough offense to get the job done. The Rock's biggest stumbling block might be the Rock itself and I just don't see it happening.

For good measure, in this writer's opinion, Caprock head coach Seth Parr has done one TREMENDOUS job at the school. He deserves to the coach of the century for what he and his staff have accomplished.

Good luck, Horns the rest of the way.

A first for Farwell on Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 19:35:00 +0000

I've covered high school football for the Globe-News for a lot of years, but on Friday I'll do a game at Farwell for the first time.

I've been there for football photo shoots in August, but never for a game.

This week's game matches the Mustangs against nearby neighbor Farwell in a District 3-1A Division II opener.

It should be a good one as Farwell is 5-1, losing only to unbeaten New Deal. Bovina started the season with three straight wins but has since lost three in a row. Can they end that skid against a good Farwell team that has played some good defense this season.

I'm also looking forward to seeing Bovina running back Desmond Fox and Farwell QB Landry Actkinson.

A classic battle of cattle

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:13:00 +0000

The Caprock at Hereford game Friday is perhaps the most meaningful between these teams since 1973 they met in a bidistrict game at Dick Bivins Stadium.

While Hereford has reached postseason play many times since then, Caprock has done so just once and that came in 1975.

That meeting between the teams in 1973 ended in a 13-7 Hereford victory that was sparked by running back James Harris who rushed for more than 200 yards.

I wonder how many people remember who the Caprock quarterback was back then?

If you said David Ream, you'd be correct.

Clarendon's Gaines worth the price of admission

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 00:45:00 +0000

Johnny Gaines, Clarendon's do everything quarterback, is worth the price of a $4 admission for adults if you want to watch perhaps the area's best all-around athlete.

The senior is outstanding in football, basketball, baseball and track.

Being that it's football season, he certainly is worth watching. Clarendon is a good team without him, but an outstanding one with him. He makes things happen anytime he gets his hands on the ball, and that's often.

He as a great arm, is cat-quick and can make opposing defenses consistently miss him when he decides to tuck the ball and run.

I've enjoyed watching him during the last three years, and personally I think he's at the top of his game right now.

A busy weekend

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 20:24:00 +0000

I was at Plainview Thursday for Dalhart's game against Seminole, and on Friday I'll be at Sunray for the Bobcats vs. Clarendon game.

OK, I know I passed up the Bushland at Muleshoe game, but what the heck. I've seen the Falcons play this season and I simply wanted to see Sunray and Clarendon go at it with 4-1 records. I think both teams will reach the playoffs.

Muleshoe has won 30-straight regular season games and has never lost to Bushland. It's certainly a big game for both teams in District 1-2A Division I and in a way I'll miss seeing it. But I can only do one on Friday night.

I'm anxious to see Dalhart, 5-0 this season, play. I think if the Wolves win this one they have a very good chance to go unbeaten during the regular season.

Comanches ring up 70 points vs. Electra

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 03:36:00 +0000

I wonder when the last time West Texas High's Comanches scored 70 points in a game.

They did it last Friday in a 70-20 win over Electra a week after losing at Spearman by a 24-14 margin.

The Comanches rushed for 506 yards while throwing for 32. Logan Hoff rushed for more than 210 yards and scored on runs of 60, 56, 37 and 37.

The 70 points is a high this season by an 11-man team and their 506 rushing yards certainly rank among the best in the area this season.

WT goes for its 4th win of the season Friday at home against an improved Claude team that is 3-2.

And then there were four!

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 23:14:00 +0000

The list of Panhandle-area football teams including 6-man ones that are still undefeated this year has dwindled to four.

They include Caprock in Class 4A, Dalhart in 3A, Muleshoe in 2A and Canadian in 1A.

While we don't actually count Springlake-Earth as a area team the Wolverines also are undefeated in Class 1A.

This week the Longhorns face Frenship, Dalhart meets Seminole on Thursday at Plainview, Muleshoe visits Bushland and Canadian travels to Panhandle.

I like all four teams' chances of remaining unbeaten another week including Springlake-Earth which is at Olton.

Wellington vs. Clarendon an excellent matchup

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 01:40:00 +0000

Friday's Clarendon at Wellington Class 1A matchup is an excellent one featuring a pair of teams that should reach postseason play this year.

The past few years this has been a district game, but with the recent UIL realignment Clarendon now is in Division I while Wellington is in Division II.

The Skyrockets have lost just three games during the last three seasons and only once at home, that to Childress in this year's opener by one point on the game's final play.

Clarendon features one of the area's best all-around players in quarterback-defensive back Johnny Gaines. He does everything well and just might be the difference in this game.

Can Spearman go 5-0 for first time since 1998?

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 22:22:00 +0000

The Spearman Lynx will try to go 5-0 to start a season for the first time since 1998 when they host Floydada Friday in a District 1-2A Division II opener.

In 1998 they actually went 10-0 during the regular season and won the District 5-2A title.

In the playoffs the Lynx, behind running back Michael Lusby and quarterback Aaron Winegarner, reached the state semifinals before losing to Stanton.

According to this week's Harris Ratings, the Lynx are a 8-point favorite over the Whirlwinds.

Going to Friona on Friday

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 02:23:00 +0000

For the second week in a row, I'm going to cover a high school football game at a place for the first time.

This week it's Friona for the Childress vs. Friona District 1-2A Division I opener.

I've covered basketball games at Friona in the past and I've shot football mug shots for the Pigskin Preview, but have never covered a football game there.

The only thing I can think of about Friona is a couple of years ago when G-N sportswriter Miles Blankenship went there for the Bushland-Friona game and wound up walking the sidelines because there wasn't enough room in the pressbox. I hope that won't be the case on Friday.

Hospitality in Spearman

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 01:28:00 +0000

I can't say enough about how nice I was treated Friday at Spearman.

In all of my years of covering high school football games, I had never covered on at Spearman until Friday's Homecoming game against West Texas.

I met former superintendent James Cunningham for the first time and what a treat that was. He is a true gentleman and showed me all the courtesy and kindness that someone in my professions could ever want.

Like myself, he is a true fan of former Spearman coach Greg Sherwood. We both thought the world of Greg, both as a coach and person. I've never known a greater person than Greg, and I'll always cherish his friendship.

I'd been through Spearman before, but had never driven around town. I found it to be especially nice. I'm not sure I expected it to be so nice.

At any rate, I'll be looking forward to the next trip there.

Tech will upset Texas

noreply@blogger.com (Lance Lahnert) — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 23:21:00 +0000

Here in Lubbock awaiting the start of the Texas-Texas Tech game. About 30 minutes before kickoff.
I love to hear people predict AFTER an upset game how they predicted this and that would occur.
I'm stepping up right now before this game to say Tech will win in a squeaker (and if a blowout will occur tonight that baby will be handed out by Texas - not Tech).
My thinking is simply this.
Texas has looked average to date in wins over Rice and Wyoming. Tech has looked average in wins over SMU and New Mexico.
However, Tech has the more veteran quarterback in Taylor Potts. I believe Texas QB Garrett Gilbert will become a star, but he's not there, yet. He's vanilla right now. No flavor to him.
In a game like this, the QB becomes critical.
Potts is no Heisman candidate, but he will pull out a win for Tech.
What do you think?

One more stadium down

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 20:26:00 +0000

Over the years I've covered high school football games at a majority of the schools in the Texas Panhandle.

One that I've never been to is Spearman.

That will end tonight when I go there for the Spearman vs. West Texas High game. I'm looking for a good game, and I sure hope it plays out that way. The Lynx are 3-0 and the Comanches 2-1.

It seems kind of funny when I think about it. I've done games at Gruver and Perryton over the years, going through Spearman to get to each place. But until this week I've never made the stop at Spearman.

Ricky Guy steps down at Memphis

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 20:38:00 +0000

Ricky Guy, longtime boys basketball and coach of Memphis High's boys and girls golf teams, has stepped down because of heart issues.

Guy is currently on a waiting list to receive a heart transplant and is only teaching at the present time.

His son Trevor, an outstanding basketball player at Memphis and Southwestern Oklahoma State University, will assume the head coaching duties for the boys basketball team.

Here's hoping Ricky's time on the heart transplant waiting list won't be a long one. He is a good friend and has been for a long time. He said he could get a call at any time, and I know he hopes it will happen soon.

How good is 3-1A Division II?

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 01:31:00 +0000

This week's Harris Ratings makes a case for District 3-1A Division II being the toughest in the state.
The weekly ratings have Springlake-Earth ranked No. 1, Bovina No. 2 and Farwell No. 12.

When those teams play each other during district play there should be some close, hard-fought games. At this point it's probably anyone's guess as to which team will come out on top, but one thing appears certain---they all will reach postseason play.

A nice trip to Canadian

noreply@blogger.com (Les Giles) — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 21:35:00 +0000

The final score of 55-28 with Canadian over Perryton wasn't quite what I expected Friday, but the game was entertaining to say the least.

The Wildcats' offense simply was outstanding as it had 537 yards total offense, averaging just over 12 yards per snap. Perryton was good too, getting 456 yards including 229 rushing.

The game began as though it would be a close, high-scoring affair, but quickly turned in Canadian's favor. The Wildcats scored on their first six possessions of the game and on eight of nine before putting in subs in the final period. Perryton simply couldn't match them TD for TD and as a result just fell farther behind.

I know one game does not make an entire season, but Canadian appears to have the kind of team that might still be playing in mid-December.