I Am Back

IS LATE BETTER THAN NEVER??

Don Hardin reporting for duty. Sorry I have been tied up lately and have not published my blog on a timely schedule. Between work, making insurance pictures, and play, watching Six-Man football, I have logged 28000 mile on the little HHR that I drive. That is since the middle of August. Coupled with fact I turned 60 back in October, things finally caught up with me and I couldn't or didn't answer the bell on time. Of all times for me to falter, it is playoff time!!!!!!!!!!!!

Let's rehash a bit shall we?

WHERE WE HAVE BEEN

Round One

D1
Valley 56 Paducah 6
No surprise here. Valley has performed well all season. WEEK ZERO in Hico saw Valley go down to Throckmorton 65-62. They have not lost since and have improved every week. There only serious challenge was in a 54-42 victory over Crowell. Valley may very well be the state representative from the west.

Ropesville 40 Petersburg 38 Ok, here is one that goes down as a major upset in my way of thinking. The GURU had picked Petersburg by 45. Previously the Buffaloes, ranked #7 for the last five weeks or so, had one loss and that was to Borden County. Ropes entered the contest 7-3 with losses to Ira, Garden City, and Meadow. Early on Ropes had been ranked as high as #9 in the state but had fallen in the rankings to #23. Shelve everything, Ropes advances to round two.

Meadow 79 Spur 38 Meadow entered this game with a #10 ranking and a 7-3 record. Their three losses were consecutive losses to Borden County, Rankin, and Petersburg. The Broncos had defeated Spur in WEEK ZERO 42-28.

Crowell 67 Follett 53 Ranked #9 coming into this contest with n 8-2 record, the Wildcats were 18 point favorites. Crowell's losses were to Valley by 12 and a sound defeat at the hands of Petersburg. Follett's highest ranking of the year came back in WEEK ZERO when they were #5. The Panthers came in to this game ranked #14. Previous losses were to Ira in WEEK ZERO, Mötley County, and Valley.

Borden County 66 Aspermont 27 The Coyotes began the season ranked #1 in the state in WEEK ZERO and were ranked #5 most recently. Their only loss of the season occurred in WEEK ZERO to the Rankin Red Devils 38 to 26. Aspermont, the two seed from their district, entered the game with only one loss and that was to Ira by the score of 50-0.

Rankin 64 Robert Lee 0 Twice defeated, Rankin came into this game as #1. I don't agree with that but we are using the GURU's system. Their losses were to Ira and Water Valley in back to back weeks. Robert Lee enter this contest with 6 wins and 4 losses and ranked #28. There has to be a sacrificial lamb and in this case it was the Steers.

Water Valley 54 Fort Davis 8 The GURU had installed undefeated #3 Water Valley as a 43 point favorite to which I laughed out loud. Fort Davis entered the game 7-2 and a #11 ranking. Their losses were to Throckmorton and Rankin. Fort Davis had done some things very well that I thought would be problematic for WV. Granger, you are the man.

Ira 56 Sands 40 Great game. Tied 0-0 at the end of 1st quarter and 16-16 at the half. Ira remains undefeated while Sands finishes the season at 8-3. Their previous losses were to Water Valley and Borden County.

That is just the West. THE WILD WEST!!!!!!!! Buckle your chin straps and hang on to all things you consider dear because there are some train wrecks coming down the track.

Moving East.

Throckmorton 66 May 36 The Greyhounds of Throckmorton were ranked #1 for five weeks during the regular season and #6 entering this game and undefeated were 45 point favorites. May entered 7-3 with losses to Milford, Newcastle, and Zephyr. May played very well trailing 24-14 at the end of the 1st quarter, and 38-30 at the half. Throckmorton pulled away late.

Avalon 89 Irving Universal Academy 40 Avalon entered as a 5-5 team while Irving Universal Academy was 7-3. Avalon was never the less a 34 point favorite.

Walnut Springs 50 Gold-Burg 0 WS entered the contest 8-2 and ranked #30 and a 45 point favorite over the 3-7 Bears of Gold-Burg. Certainly no surprise here. WS losses were to Abbott and Milford.

Knox City 65 Zephyr 46 Zephyr entered the game undefeated and a slight 1 point favorite over a 5-5 Knox City team. Zephyr had wins over six playoff teams in winning their district to get to this game. KC losses were to Crowell, Ira, Newcastle, Spur, and Throckmorton. All playoff teams. Some will say this was an upset while others won't. Knox City is a very senior laden team.

Oakwood 79 Aquilla 52 Oakwood per the GURU came in undefeated as a 5 point favorite and ranked #15 in the state. Aquilla on the other hand entered once defeated losing to Penelope by 7 in district and creating a 3 way tie. Abbott and Aquilla advanced to the playoffs from one if not the most competitive districts across Six-Man.

Lometa had a bye in round one and will face Oakwood in round two.

Rochelle also had a bye in round one and will face Abbott in round two.

Abbott 78 Leverett's Chapel 30 A 45 point favorite, Abbott, 8-2 and ranked #18 lost to Austin Hill Country by a wide margin and a close district contest to Aquilla. LC came into the playoffs riding on an 8-2 record.






D2

Miami 80 Hedley 34 Miami ranked #9 and 9-2 was a 45 point favorite over the Owls of Hedley. The Warriors dropped two games to D1 playoff teams in back to back weeks against Follett and Petersburg. Hedley came in to the playoffs as a 4-6 team.

Amherst 60 Guthrie 22 Once beaten #7 Amherst, losing to Mötley County was installed as a 31 point favorite against Guthrie 6-3. The Jaguars 3 losses came at the hands of D1 Sands and to Trent and in district to Mötley County.

Motley County 53 Whitharral 8 Mötley County entered this game as #6 with one loss and that was to the D1playoff team Crowell Wildcats. Whitharral ranked #15 was a 33 point dog in this game. They brought a 7-3 record with them.

Groom 76 Lefors 59 The GURU installed the #17 ranked 8-2 Groom Tigers as a 3 point favorite over the 7-2 Lefors Priates despite the fact that Lefors defeated Groom 54-50 earlier in the season. How does he do it? BTW Groom's other loss was to D1Follett

Dawson 51 Balmorhea 36 6-4 Dawson started out slow this season losing their first three games. Later they lost to Sands decisively but then finished the regular season strong winning five in a row going into the playoffs. Balmorhea entered into the playoffs with a 5-5 record and was a 31point dog in this contest.

Sterling City 59 Panther Creek 12 Defending state finalist and currently ranked #3 Sterling City brought their 8-2 record in with losses to D1 Water Valley and Sands. Panther Creek entered the playoffs 6-4 and a 45 point underdog.

Loraine 64 Paint Rock 42 Loraine ranked #10 carrying a 7-3 record was a 25 point favorite over the Indians of Paint Rock and their 8-2 record. PR losses were to Robert Lee and Santa Anna. Loraine was previously beaten by Miami in WEEK ZERO and Robert Lee in WEEK TWO then lost in district to Sterling City in WEEK TEN.

Grandfalls-Royalty 61 Loop 42 GF-R, 10-1 and ranked #8 making some noise this year after going 5-23 the previous three years combined. Good to see the Cowboys back in the saddle again. They entered the tourney as a 38 point favorite over the Loop Longhorns, 4-6.

That's the West half of D2. Let's head East!

Lueders-Avoca 40 Strawn 38 WARNING. Be on the look out for a dangerous 45 point dog on the loose. Last seen in Throckmorton headed for round two of the playoffs.

L-A Raiders rode into the playoffs as district champion for the first time in 40 years with an overall 6-5 record counting a 1-0 gift from Benjamin. Even so, they came in as 45 point underdogs. Strawn let the Raiders hang around long enough that the Raiders started believing they could compete with the Greyhounds. On to round two.
Bryson 71 Fannindel 23 The 5-5 Bryson Cowboys were 20 point favorites to defeat Fannindel who brought a 6-4 record. The Cowboys rode home with a big win.

Milford 46 Forestburg 0 Milford opened WEEK ZERO with a win over a d1 playoff team and then lost their next four games all to very good teams. The b
bulldogs put the break on at that point and reeled off five impressive wins to enter the playoffs 6-4 and a 45 point favorite over Forestburg. The Longhorns finished the regular season 7-3 and was district runner up to Bryson.

Newcastle 52 Jayton 0 Newcastle ranked #4 entered this game with only one loss to a very good private school team in Abilene. Jayton finished the regular season 2-7 and district runner up to the Lueders-Avoca Raiders. Six of Jayton's seven regular season losses were to teams that advanced to the playoffs. That is a tough schedule.

Jonesboro 46 Rising Star 0 the Jonesboro Eagles started out the season in WEEK ZERO ranked #10 in the state. After playing ten games and being undefeated along the way they came into the playoffs as the #2 team in the state allowing their opponents to score a total of 42 points. 22 of those were to Strawn. Prior to this playoff game, they had shut out six teams. Make that seven shut outs now. Rising Star finishes their season at 5-6 district runner up to Gustine.

Richland Springs 48 Buckholts 0 What can you say? The Coyotes are ranked #1 and have been for most of the current players lives or so it seems. They are the D2 defending state champions and well on their way to another. Where does it stop? When does it stop? It does have to stop doesn't it? Short answer is it was not with Buckholts. The Badgers finish the season 6-5 overall.

Calvert 77 Cherokee 32. Calvert made it to the playoffs again. This is something like 13out of 14 years! This time with a 5-4 record and just outside of the TopTen. After finishing the season for Cherokee they are on a four game winning streak. Cherokee was a 17point dog coming in with a 6-4 regular season record.

Gustine 62 Cranfills Gap 14 Gustine came in as a 14 point favorite with a regular season record of 6-4. Their opponents made the playoffs for the first time in a long time with a regular season record of 6-4. Congratulations to the Lions for their first winning season since 2003. They were 5-5 in 2010.

Round Two

D1

Valley defeated Ropes 67-22
Valley is doing what every team strives to do. They are getting better every week.

Meadow defeated Crowell 49-30
The Broncos are playing great ball at the right time despite a line up that has had more than their share of injuries.

Borden County defeated Rankin 36-32
Borden County has played well all season and it took a huge effort to get past the Rankin Red Devils. As is always the case in the playoffs, one team goes on while the other team goes home.

Ira defeated Water Valley 56-34
This game had been highly anticipated for sometime and rightfully so. Two dominate and undefeated teams lived up to the hype. In the end, the speed of Ira was too much.

Throckmorton defeated Avalon 70-22
The Greyhounds have been running full stride all season but are now hitting their playoff stride toward yet another deep run.

Knox City defeated Walnut Springs 32-14
Revenge is sweet. KC lost to Walnut Springs last season in the playoffs. This sets up a playoff game with district foe Throckmorton. Yet another chance at revenge.

Lometa defeated Oakwood 84-54
Lometa enjoyed their first round bye and came out scoring.

Abbott defeated Rochelle 61-16
Abbott is responding very well to the opportunity presented them in the playoffs after serving an extremely tough district race that ended in a three way tie.

D2

Amherst defeated Miami 64-50
Some called this an upset. However you look at it, this one went to the second overtime before it was settled. The score sounds crazy for overtime but I believe what happen was Amherst scored and when Miami took their turn to match or beat what the Bulldogs had put up they threw an interception which Amherst returned for a touchdown. The Bulldogs want a rematch with Mötley County in the worst way.

Motley County defeated Groom 53-8
Motley County has but one thing on their mind. That one thing isn't necessarily Amherst unless they get in the Matadors way to Abilene.

Sterling City defeated Dawson 89-42
Team Eagles from Sterling City are determined to get back to the finals this year. Dawson gave them a good game but not enough to advance.

Grandfalls-Royalty defeated Loraine 78-72
This was a hard fought game as the score would indicate. GFR raked out the win.

Bryson defeated Lueders-Avoca 57-12
The Raiders slipper fell off to a tough Bryson team on this night.

Newcastle defeated Milford 75-38
The Bobcats of Newcastle continue to amaze as they walloped Milford.

Richland Springs defeated Jonesboro 60-14
This game featured the #1 and #2 team in the state going at each other in a highly anticipated game played in Hico. What happened? What you would have expected if you have followed the Coyotes of Richland Springs!!!!

Calvert defeated Gustine 65-36
Most people picked Calvert to win and they did just that. Gustine gave them all they wanted and then some before an injury.

Round Three

D1

Valley defeated Meadow 76-48.
These two teams have been here before several times. Valley knew that they would have to slow down HQ if they were to win. They managed to do that. You don't stop him.

Borden County defeated Ira 49-32
Borden County scored early forcing Ira to play from behind all day. More importantly, BC was able to contain the tremendous speed of Ira. #12 Lance Morris of Ira had to be carted off the field with a scary looking injury. Glad to report he is extremely sore but that is all. The West side of D1 was loaded this year. Several great teams that could of represented well at the State game. Borden County and Valley will determine the best representative.

Throckmorton defeated Knox City 78-43
In a rematch of district foes, Throckmorton once again prevailed. Is this the year the Greyhounds win the title? Stay tuned.

Abbott defeated Lometa 118- 100
Lometa scored 84 the week before and 100 this week but that was not enough as Abbott put up 118 points to advance. Abbott playing for themselves and the rest of tough District 14.

D2
Motley County defeated Amherst 73-24
Be careful what you ask for!

Sterling City defeated Grandfalls -Royalty 74-23
The Sterling City Eagles were flying high.

Newcastle defeated Bryson 66-18
Newcastle had little problems here. Great season for Bryson.

Richland Springs defeated Calvert 77-22
Anyone see a pattern here?


WHERE WE ARE GOING

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

D1
Valley vs. Borden County
Friday December 2nd 7:30 PM
Wolfforth Frenship
I like VALLEY by 11

Throckmorton vs. Abbott
Saturday December 3rd 7:30 PM
Springtown
I like THROCKMORTON by 18

D2
Newcastle vs. Richland Springs
Friday December 2nd 5:00 PM
Jim Ned
I like RICHLAND SPRINGS by 28

Motley County vs. Sterling City
Friday December 2nd 7:30 PM
Jim Ned
I like MOTLEY COUNTY by 3
PRIVATES

Dallas The Covenant vs. Abilene Christian
Saturday December 3rd 12:00 PM
Moody
I like ABILENE CHRISTIAN by 4

Granbury Happy Hill vs Fredericksburg Heritage
Saturday December 3rd 6:00 PM
Moody
I like FREDERICKSBURG HERITAGE by 20

Lord, I hope to do better in the future of reporting in a timely manner.