Sterling City 44, May 40
The #7 May Tigers came up short in their home opener against the #4 Sterling City Eagles 44-40. The Tigers finished with 425 yards of total offense – 269 passing and 156 rushing. Next week, May will attempt to bounce back at Knox City (1-1), Knox City lost to Motley County 68-67 Friday night.
Blanket 53, Gustine 8
The No. 14 Blanket Tigers landed in the win column for the first time this season, notching a 53-8 victory over the Gustine Tigers in their home opener.
Blanket (1-1) led 14-0 after one quarter and opened a 45-8 lead at halftime before ending the contest early in the third period.
The Tigers racked up 275 yards of total offense, with 249 coming on the ground, while allowing Gustine (1-1) just 99 yards – 84 passing and 15 rushing. Both teams turned the ball over once. Next week, the Tigers eye a second straight win as they travel to Lingleville (0-2), which has started its season with losses to Three Way, 57-32, and Lometa, 56-6.
Strawn 64, Brookesmith 37
The No. 16 Brookesmith Mustangs finally got their season started Friday night, but came out on the short end of a 64-37 decision against the No. 5 Strawn Greyhounds.
Brookesmith (0-1), whose season opener at Veribest was canceled last week because of COVID issues, finished with 343 yards of total offense, including 310 rushing, but committed three turnovers.
Next week, Brookesmith will face Rochelle (2-0) as the Mustangs’ original game with Evant was canceled due to COVID. Rochelle has defeated the Westbrook JV, 62-15, and Abilene Texas Leadership Charter, 67-0, thus far.
Veribest 42, Zephyr 32
The Zephyr Bulldogs slipped to 0-2 on the season with a 42-32 road loss at Veribest, which kicked off its regular season Friday night.
Zephyr was coming off a 48-0 home loss to Sidney, while Veribest (1-0) had its original season opener against Brookesmith canceled due to COVID issues.
Next week, Zephyr will continue its pursuit of its first win as Stephenville Faith (1-1) comes calling. Faith defeated Mineral Wells Community Christian, 58-6, Friday night after opening the year with a 57-12 loss to Union Hill.
Anson 38, Coleman 14
In a game broadcast on KOXE.com, the Coleman Bluecats lost to Anson in Coleman’s home opener. The Bluecats are now 1-1 on the season. Coleman had the 7-6 advantage after the first quarter but Anson outscored Coleman 13-7 in the second quarter for a 19-14 score at the half. It was the third quarter where Anson secured the win with 19 unanswered points. Coleman failed to score in the second half.
Richland Springs 55, Austin Royals 8
The reigning Class A Division II state champion Richland Springs Coyotes, ranked third in the state, opened their season Friday night with a 55-8 victory over Austin Royals.
The Coyotes (1-0) jumped out to a 29-0 lead over Austin Royals (1-1) after one quarter, carried a 41-8 advantage into the locker room at halftime and ended the game with 4:01 left in the third period.
Next week, the Coyotes travel to Throckmorton in a Thursday night game to tangle with Crowell in a neutral site, non-district battle. Crowell (1-0) was off this week after starting the season with a 58-12 triumph over Baird.
Cross Plains 28, Goldthwaite 14
The Class 2A Division II No. 19 Cross Plains Buffaloes moved to 2-0 on the season Friday night, handing the Goldthwaite Eagles a second straight defeat, 28-14.
Cross Plains (2-0) jumped out to a 21-0 lead at halftime and fought off a Goldthwaite (0-2) attempted rally over the final two quarters.
The Buffaloes finished with 315 yards of total offense – 236 rushing and 79 passing – with a pair of turnovers. The Eagles ended the night with 253 yards, including 223 on the ground, and one turnover.
Next week, Cross Plains will take to the road for the first time in 2020 visiting Haskell (0-2), which has started its campaign with losses to Archer City, 60-7, and Quanah, 35-13. Meanwhile, Goldthwaite welcomes Olney (1-1), which has defeated Chico, 48-0, and fallen to Petrolia, 33-14.