Thoughts & Notes From the 1A Title Games

It was great to be at AT&T stadium and see all 4 teams and towns come out for the big day!  Safe to say no one was left in any of those 4 towns on Wednesday!

Attendance on the whole was one of the lowest I've seen at a state game (missed a few since 1995 but not many) and I think the combo of it being played on a Wednesday and in Arlington really hurt the attendance.  However, there is no question the environment and meaning of being able to playing on the same field as the Cowboys to these kids and coaches is worth the hit in attendance.

Walker Tippie of Richland Springs ran into the record books, as he has been in the entire playoffs he seemed to be untouchable, thanks in large part to an outstanding offensive line blocking for him and excellent lead blocking by Hutton Lusty and Jordan Burkhart.  Tippie had 414 yards rushing (4th most in a 6man state game), with 8 rushing TDs, which tied him for most rushing TDs in a state game with Trey Richey and Dewayne Miles, on just 15 carries.  He was also 4-6-0 for 62 yards with 2 TDs passing...oh and he was 2nd on the team with 9 solo tackles, had 1 assist, 1 fumble recovery and 1 INT!

Not to be over looked is kicker Jared Martin's 12/12 in PAT kicks for Richland Springs, which is the best kicking performance ever in a state game (Brett Chudej of Garden City was 13/16 in 2009, making one more but has a worse percentage).

As a team Richland Springs had 29 carries for 530 yards rushing scoring 10 TDs on the ground and had 592 yards of total offense.  Defensively Brandon Tharp had 12 unassisted tackles and was in on 1 assist to lead RS.

96 points scored is 3rd most in a state game.

Balmorhea was in this game for good portion of it, however they suffered a few injuries, including one to RB Kyle Garcia, and a couple of key dropped passes that set them back.  Marcos Mendoza caught 6 passes for 156 yards, 5^th most in a state game, and 2 TDs and had 192 all-purpose yards to lead the Bears.  Kyle Garcia rushed for 135 yards 1 TD and was 4-6-0 83 yards 2 TDs passing.  QB Marco Martinez was 10-17-1 for 175 yards 4 TDs passing.

Combined total offense for this game was 1,063 yards.  146 points scored is the 4th most in a state game.

This was Richland Springs 8^th title, tying them for the most ever by a school in any classification.

In the DI game Borden County had more of a balanced attack and their classic bend don’t break 2-3 defense allowed just 12 points, tied for 3^rd least amount of points allowed in a title game, to a solid Jonesboro squad.

Borden County’s Corbin Sumners had 135 yards 3 TDs rushing on 15 carries while Hunter Jones had 152 yards rushing on 13 carries.  Passing Jones was 5-6-0 for 88 yards with 3 TDs and Sumners was 1-1—0 for 22 yards with 1 TD.  Sumners caught 1 pass for 31 yards and a TD, Braxton Coors caught 2 passes for 29 yards and 2 TDs, Trace Richey caught 1 pass for 22 yards for a TD, and Kale Yarbo caught a pass for 28 yards rounding out the balanced passing attack.

The highlight of the game was Trace Richey’s one handed INT that would have been returned for a pick 6 had there not been a penalty on the return by Borden County.

Even defensively Jones and Sumners balanced it out as both had 6 solo tackles and 2 assists to lead the Coyotes.

Jonesboro grinded out and earned every inch of their 197 total yards.  Robert Robuck bruised out 59 yards and 2 TDs on 11 carries on the ground.  As a team the Eagles had 28 carries for 162 yards rushing and they ate up a lot of time with long drives, however they couldn’t convert many of them into points.  Jonesboro had 8 possessions, scoring on 2 of their first 3, they had a turnover on downs twice, were forced to punt twice, had one turnover (Richey’s INT), and were in possession of the ball as time ran out to end the 1^st half.

The oddity of this game was the fact that Borden County received both the opening and the 2^nd half kickoffs…I have only seen that once in a game before so this was safe to say the first time it has happened in a state game...or not!  It has been pointed out to me that this happened in the 2008 DII game when the wind was very bad and involved Borden County...but it was BC who decided to kick off twice in that game.

Semi-Final Six-Man Standouts

Semi-Final Six-Man Stand Out Performances:

Some big game last week and some great performances!  Up next...the State Championship Games Wednesday at 4 and 7pm!

Walker Tippie – Richland Springs – 19 carries 310 yards 6 TDs rushing; 4-5-0 for 100 yards 1 TD passing; 2 catches 31 yards 1 TD receiving; 7 tackles

Tippie ran rough shot over Crowell’s defense and threw for 100 yards as well as the Coyotes won 92-62.

Hunter Jones – Borden County – 10-18 for 293 yards 3 TDs passing; 16 carries 127 yards 3 TDs rushing; 14 tackles

Corbin Sumners – Borden County – 3 catches 123 yards 2 TDs receiving; 15 carries 101 yards 3 TDs rushing; 3-4 for 69 yards 1 TD passing; 12 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT

Big night for both Sumners and Jones as Borden County upsets #1 Happy 92-58.  Easton Edwards was also 11/11 on PATs and kicked a 32 yards FG that was the first score of the game.

Kyle Garcia – Balmorhea – 30 carries 274 yards 3 TDs rushing; 2-3-0 for 41 yards 1 TD passing; 9 tackles

Marcos Mendoza – Balmorhea – 12 carries 140 yards 2 TDs rushing; 5 catches 132 yards 4 TDs receiving; 17 tackles; 5/11 PAT kicks; 46 points scored

Garcia carries the rock 30 times eating up the clock and yardage along the way, 274 yards to be exact, in Balmorheas 74-52 win over Valley.  Mendoza accounted for 276 yards of total offense, 6 TDs scored and 46 total points scored for the Bears.

Robert Robuck – Jonesboro – 27 carries 216 yards 4 TDs rushing; 16 tackles

Jimmy Apodaca – Jonesboro – 1 catch 32 yards 1 TD

Robuck had a huge night running the ball and helped out on defense with 16 tackles.  Senior Apodaca scored his first TD of the season in the final seconds of the game to win it for Jonesboro 50-46 over Union Hill.

Tristen Hayes – Crowell – 32-68-1 for 475 yards 5 TDs passing; 12 carries 136 yards rushing

Hayes had another big night passing in Crowell’s loss to Richland Springs.  He set a single game record for attempts with 68, and ends the season as the single season record holder in passing yards with 3,946.

Rushing:

Hutton Lusty – Richland Springs – 3 carries 105 yards 1 TD rushing; 2 catches 44 yards receiving; 15 tackles

Andy Sarmiento – Jonesboro – 7 carries 76 yards rushing; 7 tackles

Passing:

Marco Martinez – Balmorhea – 8-11-0 for 159 yards 5 TDs passing

Jordan Burkhart – Richland Springs – 3-3-0 for 46 yards 2 TDs passing; 2 carries 36 yards 1 TD rushing; 8 tackles

Receiving:

Tyler Durham – Crowell – 13 catches 176 yards 3 TDs; 9 tackles

Evan de los Santos – Crowell – 5 catches 97 yards 1 TD; 5 tackles

Ben Justice – Borden County – 3 catches 86 yards

Trace Richey – Borden County – 3 catches 85 yards receiving; 1 carry 3 yards rushing; 17 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 INT

Special Teams:

Easton Edwards – Borden County – 11/11 PATs, 1/1 FG (32 yards)

Jared Martin – Richland Springs – 10/12 PAT kicks

Defense:

Wyatt Young – Jonesboro – 23 tackles

Trace Richey – Borden County – 17 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 INT

Marcos Mendoza – Balmorhea – 17 tackles

Robert Robuck – Jonesboro – 16 tackles

Hutton Lusty – Richland Springs – 15 tackles

Hunter Jones – Borden County – 14 tackles

Braxton Coors – Borden County – 11 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 INT returned for TD

Corbin Sumners – Borden County – 12 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 INT

Brandon Tharp – Richland Springs – 10 tackles

Cameron Parham – Richland Springs – 7 tackles, 1 INT

Iraan Advances to 2A DII State Title Bout

Iraan Advances to 2A DII State Title Bout

By:  Leman Saunders

Iraan’s offense busted loose for some big plays, while their defense held up their side of the ball to defeat Wellington 42-21 in the 2A Division II title game Friday night at Shotwell Stadium in Abilene.  Five of the Braves’ six touchdowns were on plays covering more than 40 yards, including a 78 yard Kick Off return by Kyle O’Bannon to start the 2nd half.

Wellington just didn’t seem to have an answer for Iraan’s option run attack all night, the Braves toted the rock just 24 times, but gained 274 yards to the tune of 11.4 yards a carry.  Daryel Lozoya found pay dirt 3 times racking up a team high 184 yards rushing on just 13 carries, while Kyle O’Bannon added a touchdown run of 66 yards and finished the night with 83 yards on 6 carries.

Iraan’s big victory came to the delight of many of the fans in attendance that were out in full force from all over the area braving the cold night air in support of Iraan.  Between 80 and 100 schools had cheerleaders present adding over 1,000 fans to the Iraan side of the stadium, along with several area mascots in full regalia, to show support and cheer on the Braves after last week’s fatal cheerleader bus crash that took the life of one of their beloved cheer sponsors and seriously injured the other sponsor as well as several cheerleaders while riding back from their Quarter-Final win over Munday.  Support also came in from their opponent Wellington as their band played Amazing Grace in Iraan’s honor at halftime and then the Wellington Cheer Squad present the Iraan Cheerleaders with a $3,000 check, money they had raised in one week to help support their opponent in their time of need.  The overflow of support for Iraan, and even more so Wellington’s kindness and show of support more than anything, showed more than any words can describe what true sportsmanship is and part of what makes Texas High School Football so special to us all.

#2 Iraan has been the favorite in many of their games so far, but now will be a true Cinderella team next week as they will be facing off with #1 ranked Bremond at 10am Thursday morning at Jerry’s World (AT&T Staduim) in Arlington.  In their Semi-Final match Bremond was down 25-22 to Burton with 5 minutes left in the 3^rd quarter only to mounted a big offensive attack and win 50-31.  Like Iraan, Bremond also features a great running game behind QB Roshuud Paul and RB Kaidyn Peralez who together combined for 492 yards and 6 TDs against Burton.  Needless to say with these two teams the game will feature a lot of rushing yards and a very fast moving game clock.  It is safe to say the only people rooting for Bremond will be from Bremond while Iraan will be bringing with them to Arlington the love and support of the rest of the state, and dare I say the nation as well…so how can you pick against the Braves!  I say Iraan controls the clock and keeps Bremond’s offense off the field just enough to pull off the upset as they win their first state title since 1996 and the hearts of all Texans in the process!

Iraan 28 Bremond 21

Quarter-Final Round Six-Man Standouts

Quarter-Final Six-Man Standouts:

Dynamic Duos prove too much for their opponents in the Quarter-Final Round!

Corbin Sumners – Borden County – 27 carries 305 yards 4 TDs rushing; 10 tackles, 1 fumble recovery

Hunter Jones – Borden County – 22 carries 168 yards 3 TDs rushing; 6-9-2 for 102 yards 1 TD passing; 9 tackles, 1 INT

Borden County Outscored Garden City 42-12 in the second half to come back and beat Garden City 66-48.  The tag team effort by Sumners and Jones combined for 575 yards of total offense, were in on all 8 Borden Co Touchdowns (scoring 7 of them on the ground and Jones passing for 1).  The kicking game proved pivotal as well…as Easton Edwards was 7/8 with 2 point conversions and made a 4 point 21-yard Field Goal…for 18 points…the same number of points BC won by.

Walker Tippie – Richland Springs – 26 carries 320 yards 5 TDs rushing; 1-2-0 for 8 yards passing; 1 KO return for a TD; 1 INT returned 80 yards for TD, 12 tackles

Hutton Lusty – Richland Springs – 10 carries 112 yards 2 TDs rushing; 1 catch 22 yards 1 TD receiving; 11 tackles

In an overly hyped matchup Richland Springs handily defeated Calvert by 50 points, 86-36.  The rushing combo of Tippie and Lusty shredded the Calvert defense all night as they accounted for over 400 yards and 7 TDs on the ground attack alone.  Tippie, for good measure, added a kickoff return for a touchdown and an 80 yard Pick 6 for a TD as well and Lusty also caught a TD pass bringing the duos total TDs scored to 10.   The Coyotes kicker, Jared Martin, also converted on all 10 of his PAT kicks…not an easy task in 6-man.

Marcos Mendoza – Balmorhea – 12 carries 237 yards 4 TDs rushing; 3 catches 76 yards 2 TDs receiving; 10 tackles

Kyle Garcia – Balmorhea – 8 carries 164 yards 3 TDs rushing; 2 catches 2 yards 1 TD receiving; 12 tackles

Balmorhea faced off with district foe Grandfalls-Royalty in a Quarter-Final rematch.  In what was a close game for much of the first half, GF simple did not have an answer for the Balmorhea ground attack.  The Bears combo of Mendoza and Garcia averaged over 20 yards a carries and scored accounting for over 400 yards and 7 TD rushing…and they had 3 TDs receiving as well as Balmorhea ended the Grandfalls playoff win streak of 7 that dated back to 2013 87-42.

Rushing:

Karson Bryan – Happy – 10 carries 197 yards 3 TDs rushing; 1-3-0 for 22 yards 1 TD passing

Ethan Lilljedahl – Jonesboro – 13 carries 148 yards 3 TDs rushing; 5-5-0 for 67 yards 1 TD passing; 3 tackles

Jose Gallegos – Garden City – 13 carries 112 yards 1 TD rushing; 1 catch 6 yards 1 TD receiving; 3 tackles, 1 INT; 4 KO returns for 156 yards 1 TD

Javier Aguilera – Crowell – 4 carries 106 yards 3 TDs rushing

Jayton Walden – Happy – 5 carries 66 yards 1 TD rushing; 1 catch 28 yards 1 TD receiving

Passing:

Trent McMillan – Garden City – 13-24-1 for 158 yards 3 TDs passing; 9 tackles

Tristen Hayes – Crowell – 7-13-0 for 155 yards 2 TDs passing; 5 carries 112 yards 2 TDs rushing

Marco Martinez – Balmorhea – 8-9-0 for 150 yards 6 TDs passing

Colton McCarley – Happy – 3-4-0 for 101 yards 3 TDs passing

Receiving:

Jaren Brooks – Grandfalls-Royalty – 9 catches 172 yards 3 TDs receiving

Riley Eggemeyer – Garden City – 8 catches 116 yards 2 TDs receiving; 14 carries 130 yards 1 TD rushing; 2-2-0 for 40 yards 1 TD passing; 6 tackles

Tyler Durham – Crowell – 3 catches 105 yards 1 TD receiving; 11 tackles

Dalton Gray – Happy – 3 catches 95 yards 3 TDs receiving

Ethan Goodwin – Garden City – 6 catches 76 yards 1 TD receiving; 14 tackles, 2 INTs

Eric Carrasco – Balmorhea – 2 catches 67 yards 2 TDs receiving; 3 tackles, 1 sack

Ben Justice – Borden County – 3 catches 45 yards receiving

Braxton Coor – Borden County – 2 catches 38 yards 1 TD receiving

Danny Lopez – Jonesboro – 2 catches 32 yards 1 TD receiving; 8 tackles

Special Teams:

Jared Martin – Richland Springs – 10/10 PAT kicks

Jose Gallegos – Garden City – 4 KO returns for 156 yards 1 TD

Easton Edwards – Borden County – 7/8 PAT kicks, 1/1 FG (21 yards)

Defense:

Morgan Wilson – Borden County – 17 tackles, 1 forced fumble

Wyatt Young – Jonesboro – 16 tackles 1 INT

Robert Robuck – Jonesboro – 16 tackles

Ethan Goodwin – Garden City – 14 tackles, 2 INTs

Alex Sarmiento – Jonesboro – 14 tackles

Walker Tippie – Richland Springs – 12 tackles, 1 INT

Cesar Chavez – Garden City – 13 tackles

Kyle Garcia – Balmorhea – 12 tackles

Tyler Durham – Crowell – 11 tackles

Hutton Lusty – Richland Springs – 11 tackles

Cameron Parham – Richland Springs – 11 tackles

Braxton Coor – Borden County – 10 tackles, 1 sack, 1 punt block

Corbin Sumners – Borden County – 10 tackles, 1 fumble recovery

Nick Gonzales – Crowell – 10 tackles

Marcos Mendoza – Balmorhea – 10 tackles

2nd Round Six-Man Standouts

Area Round Six-Man Stand-Outs:

Some big games and surprising scores in the 2^nd round last week!  Here are some of the stats from the Area round of the playoffs.

Anthony Estrada – Knox City – 20-37-1 for 269 yards 5 TDs passing; 16 carries 115 yards rushing; 2 INTs

Christian Abila – Knox City – 6 catches 63 yards 1 TD receiving; 7 carries 13 yards 2 TDs rushing; 2-3-1 for 28 yards 1 TD passing

Hard to pick who had the bigger night for Knox City, while Estrada’s stat line is more gaudy Abila scored the final two touchdowns for the Greyhounds as they came back and upset Nazareth 74-70 with a nearly flawless 2 minute drill to go ahead with only seconds remaining in the game.

Easton Edwards – Borden County – 5/5 PAT kicks

The game went into Double Over-Time and with both Borden County scores and the pressure on Edwards, he converted both 2 point PAT kicks which helped seal a win for Borden County over Buena Vista 40-32.  Edward’s had already converted on high pressure kicking situation when his PAT tied the game with 1:24 left in regulation for the Coyotes.

Bishop Norman – Zephyr – 45 carries 336 yards 6 TDs rushing; 5-9-1 for 101 yards 3 TDs passing

Robert Clark – Zephyr – 3 INTs

Norman was a terror to May as he rushed for 336 yards and threw for over a 100 for good measure!  But equally as important to Zephyr’s 68-44 win over May was the 3 INTs by Robert Clark, 2 of which while May was in the redzone.

Gabe Nelson – Union Hill – 33 carries 306 yards 8 TDs rushing; 8 tackles, 2 INTs

Nelson scored all 8 touchdowns for Union Hill on the ground as the Bulldogs are having their best season on the grid iron since 2006 when they were 11-man.

Jalen Helms – Grandfalls-Royalty – 24-32-1 for 404 yards 6 TDs

Jaden Brooks – Grandfalls-Royalty – 11 catches 239 yards 4 TDs

The dynamic Duo for Grandfalls-Royalty teamed up to upset Guthrie 58-56.  Grandfalls has now won 7 straight playoff games, along with Richland Springs, as the last time the Cowboys were in the playoffs was 2014 when they won it all in D2.

Karson Bryan – Happy – 13 carries 247 yards 4 TDs rushing; 2-4-0 for 32 yards 1 TD passing; 8 tackles

In a rematch with Meadow Bryan proved he was one of the best players in 1A as he rushed for 247 yards and 4 TDs on just 13 carries and threw for another TD just for good measure in Happy’s 66-20 win.

Rushing:

Walker Tippie – Richland Springs – 289 yards 6 TDs rushing; 2-3-0 for 40 yards passing; 1 catch 22 yards receiving

Ethan Lilljedahl – Jonesboro – 16 carries 200 yards 5 TDs rushing; 1-2-0 for 44 yards 1 TD passing; 2 tackles, 1 INT

Kyle Langford – Abbott – 18 carries 177 yards 3 TDs rushing; 3-5-1 for 29 yards 1 TD passing; 8 tackles

Fernando Padron – Avalon – 23 carries 160 yards 3 TDs rushing; 3-4-0 for 75 yards 1 TD passing

Corbin Sumners - Borden County – 23 carries 123 yards 3 TDs rushing; 1-2-0 for 12 yards passing; 2 catches 50 yards receiving

Hutton Lusty – Richland Springs – 122 yards 2 TDs rushing; 15 tackles

Riley Eggemeyer – Garden City – 5 carries 111 yards 3 TDs rushing; 1-1-0 for 38 yards 1 TD passing; 1 catch 43 yards 1 TD receiving; 1 tackle

Jose Gallegos – Garden City – 5 carries 111 yards 2 TDs rushing; 7 tackles

Kyle Garcia – Balmorhea – 7 carries 85 yards 3 TDs rushing; 2-2-0 for 56 yards 2 TDs passing; 12 tackles

Danny de la Pena – Crowell – 4 carries 75 yards 3 TDs rushing; 7 tackles

Jayton Walden – Happy – 5 carries 67 yards 3 TDs rushing; 2 tackles, 1 fumble recovery

Passing:

Tristen Hayes – Crowell – 20-34-0 for 330 yards 5 TDs passing; 1 tackle, 1 INT

Wyatt Mote – May – 16-30-3 for 253 yards 4 TDs passing

Ethen Evans – Buena Vista – 17-23-0 for 181 yards 3 TDs passing; 19 carries 135 yards 1 TD rushing

Taron Smith – Milford – 10-20-0 for 170 yards 1 TD passing; 11 carries 139 yards 2 TDs rushing; 4 

catches 52 yards 1 TD receiving; 6 tackles; 3 KO returns for 83 yards

Hunter Jones – Borden County – 6-6-0 for 129 yards 2 TDs passing; 1 carry 9 yards rushing

Marco Martinez – Balmorhea - 3-3-0 for 92 yards 2 TDs passing

James McIntyre – Milford – 4-5-0 for 77 yards 1 TD passing; 7 carries 50 yards 1 TD rushing; 2 catches 39 yards receiving; 4 tackles

Trent McMillan – Garden City – 2-4-0 for 75 yards 1 TD passing; 4 tackles, 2 INTs

Receiving:

Brady Hawkins – Knox City – 7 catches 156 yards 3 TDs receiving

Cameron King – May – 9 catches 121 yards 3 TDs receiving; 8 carries 72 yards 2 TDs rushing; 1-1-0 for 16 yards passing

Skyler Hayes – Crowell – 5 catches 105 yards 2 TDs receiving; 7 tackles

Devin Williams – Zephyr – 5 catches 94 yards 4 TDs receiving; 8 tackles

Avie Lozano – Buena Vista – 10 catches 93 yards 2 TDs receiving

Tyler Durham – Crowell – 5 catches 83 yards 1 TD receiving; 11 tackles, 1 fumble recovery

Miguel Padron – Avalon – 4 catches 80 yards 1 TD receiving; 3 carries 4 yards rushing; 3 tackles

Preston Johnston – May – 3 catches 71 yards 2 TDs receiving; 6 carries 35 yards 1 TD rushing

Devonteh Williams – Milford – 3 catches 61 yards receiving; 4-4-0 for 56 yards 1 TD passing; 4 carries 20 yards rushing

Eric Carrasco – Balmorhea – 2 catches 57 yards 2 TDs receiving; 5 tackles

Marcos Mendoza – Balmorhea – 2 catches 53 yards 2 TDs receiving; 12 tackles

Trace Richey – Borden County – 1 catch 48 yards 1 TD receiving; 2 carries 10 yards rushing

Special Teams:

Marcos Mendoza – Balmorhea – 7/8 PAT kicks

Defense:

Trent McMillan – Garden City – 2 INTs, 4 tackles

Tony Balderas – Avalon – 16 tackles,2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries

Wyatt Young – Jonesboro – 17 tackles

Hutton Lusty – Richland Springs – 15 tackles

Andy Satmiento – Jonesboro – 13 tackles

Danny Lopez – Jonesboro – 13 tackles

Colt Mallory – Union Hill – 12 tackles

Nick Gonzales – Crowell – 12 tackles

Tyler Durham – Crowell – 11 tackles, 1 fumble recovery

Corbin Schrotke – Milford – 11 tackles

Cesar Chavez – Garden City – 10 tackles

Nathan Davis – Abbott – 10 tackles

Fernando Padron – Avalon – 10 tackles, 1 forced fumble

Gabe Nelson – Union Hill – 8 tackles, 2 INTs

Cameron Parham – Richland Springs – 7 tackles, 1 INT returned for TD

Best Kept Secret in American Sport: How to Watch a 6-Man Football Game

The Best Kept Secret in American Sport:

By:  Leman Saunders

If you find yourself in need of an adventure one Friday night and venture out in search of a football game, you may stumble across a type of football that seems a little different.  In the smallest classification of schools in Texas, an abbreviated game known as 6-Man Football is played.  It is a game played by over 250 schools, public and private, in the state of Texas, as well as a handful of schools in Colorado, New Mexico, Nebraska, Montana, Wyoming, Kansas, and Idaho.  This fast paced, exciting brand of football is probably the best kept secret in American sports.  It is all the excitement of the 11-man game, long runs, jaw dropping hits, electrifying special team plays, amazing passes and catches, nail biting coaching calls, all magnified in every play.  However, before you head out to one of these Texas outposts to discover for yourself and experience this secret first hand there are a few things that a novice to 6-man needs to know...

How to Watch a 6-Man Football Game

Know the History:

Born out of the depression, 6-man football was the brain child of a rural Nebraska educator named Stephen Epler who thought that rural American schools with limited enrollments should be able to play football.  Most of these small schools had high participation in basketball, so Epler concluded that surely if 5 players could be found to make up a basketball team, 6 should not be out of the question to make up a football team...and that was how the number 6 was chosen.  The first game was played in Nebraska in 1934 and quickly spread across the county in each passing year.  It found its way to Texas in 1936 and became an officially sanctioned sport by the UIL in 1938.

Show up early:

There is no doubt the game is unique, but a big part of that allure is found in the towns and communities that bear witness to the game every Friday night.  The very essence of what high school sports should be all about, community involvement and school pride and no other classification of football or high school sport can match a 6-man community when it comes to this.  So show up a few hours early, take in the town, visit the antique store on the corner where the old bank use to be…stop into the “Greasy Spoon” and enjoy a cup of coffee and a slice of pie while eves dropping on the table of old timers about their thoughts on tonight’s game… arrive at the field early and watch the teams warm up while eating a frito pie made by one of the players’ moms in the concession stand.  Be sure to pick out a good midfield seat on the 40 yard line (as you notice that there is no 50 yard line in 6-man football) and watch as slowly two whole towns come out to support their teams.

Pay Attention:

Unlike its 11-man counterpart, the 6-man game is fast paced and wide open, and therefore it is important to time your trips to the concession stand and bathroom properly, in order to miss as little of the action as possible.  If there is a large crowd, be aware that this isn’t their first rodeo and they all will be better versed in this than you are, yes even the fans must be fast paced and quick with their timing during breaks in the action (which only occur briefly after touchdowns and at the end of every quarter), so plan out your path ways and know your order before you leave your seat to save you time, as it is not unheard of for 2 and sometimes 3 touchdowns to be scored within a span of seconds off the game clock…you wouldn’t want to miss back to back kickoff returns for a touchdown would you!

Know the Rules and Terminology:

There are slight differences in rules for the 6-man game and it is better to know them before hand, or catch onto them as quickly as possible, in order to let yourself get fully immersed in the game.  There are a few other rule differences other than the ones listed here, but these are the main ones you need to be aware of early on…

Early on you will probably notice that the field is slightly smaller, to be exact it is an 80x40 field, thus making midfield the 40 yard line and eliminating the 50 yard line (as well as 19 other yard lines) all together.

Next, the phrase “1^st and 10” should be replaced with “1^st and 15” as it takes 15 yards to make a 1^st down and not 10.

Every player is eligible to move down field and receive a pass!  This one rule, more than any other, helps make the game of 6-man football more fun for its players than its older 11-man brother by giving every player the opportunity to know what it feel like to score… and just maybe a game winning… touchdown!

Be aware that what is traditionally referred to as the “Quarterback” (the player who receives the snap from the center) cannot advance the ball across the line of scrimmage without the ball being in possession of another player first.  As a result some teams will have offensive schemes that involve a pitch back to a “Spreadback” that will give them the option to run or pass the ball.

Due to a number of factors, there is a premium on kicking and thus a kicked PAT is worth 2 points and a run or pass play resulting in a PAT is worth 1 point.  Also, if you are lucky enough to witness one attempted, a field goal is worth 4 points instead of 3.  While we are talking about kicking, don’t be alarmed to see teams kick onside kicks early and often (if not all the time) and more often teams will try for the first down on 4^th down plays than punt the ball way…which leads to a far more exciting game than the “crowded field” version of the sport.

Sometimes games can get out of hand and to help with that there is a mercy rule in 6-man football.  If a team is leading by 45 points or more at halftime or any point after halftime the game is official ended via the 45 point mercy rule and thus the term “45’d” is often used in the vernacular of the 6-man community and their own brand of number sense has evolved to where every fan knows with little thought needed just how many more points need to be scored in order to end the game early.

Truly “It ain’t over till it’s over”:

A common rookie mistake of upstart 6-man spectators is to assume a game is out of hand and one team cannot possibly come back and make it competitive, let alone win.  Unlike the 11-man game, in 6-man there if there is a missed tackle or 100% blocking on the part of the offense a touchdown is not that hard to come by as there is no second line of defense there to back you up.  Add to this the explosiveness and athleticism of the athletes and the river boat gambling style of coaches when it comes to the kicking game it all makes it very possible to score quickly and get the ball back and score again within literally a matter of seconds.  I have seen team down by as much as 32 points mount a comeback and win, and teams that were 1 or 2 points away from being “45’d” come back and almost pull off an upset and win!  Do not make the assumption that a game is over because in 6-man, more than any other sport, “it ain’t over till it’s over!”

Most Importantly…Be Respectful:

What really makes 6-man football unique is not only does the town, it’s players, and coaches love, respect and rally around the game, but unlike any other classification in the state of Texas every single school in the state that plays the game comes together and forms a “6-man Community”.  These individual towns, communities and teams band together and will stick up for one and other and be there in support for one another when needed.  6-man football in a sense is a representation of life in these small towns.  It is something that only they understand and there is a constant fight for respect and acceptance with the outside world.  The game, and by proxy the towns and the life it represents is something that can only be truly appreciated if you have experienced it and lived it firsthand…something that people from larger cities cannot fully know the joys or the struggles of.  6-man football is one common thread that runs through many of these places across the Texas landscape and the people who show up every Friday night in these towns hold the game dear to their hearts and consider a slight against the game as a slight against themselves and their community… so please above all else be respectful and enjoy and respect the game, and everything that it represents.

Bi-District Six-Man Standouts

Bi-District Standouts:

Dylan Reagan – Chillicothe – 4 INTs 2 returned 160 yards for 2 TDs; 9 tackles; 5 carries 100 yards 2 TDs rushing; 1-2 for 8 yards passing.

In an upset victory over Aspermont Regan made 4 interceptions on defense 2 of which when Aspermont was in the redzone about to score and both were returned 80 yards for touchdowns!  Add to that Reagan carried the ball just 5 times and recorded 100 yards on the ground and scored 2 more TDs.

Jalen Helms – Grandfalls-Royalty – 24-32-0 for 414 yards 9 TDs passing; 7 carries 86 yards rushing

A huge passing performance once again by Helms as he leads his team to a big Bi-District win over Sands 69-46.  Grandfalls-Royalty has extended its playoff win streak to 6 games as the last time they made the playoffs, 2013, they won state!  Grandfalls, Abbott, and Richland Springs all have 6 game playoff win streaks now!

Arron Luna – Marfa – 29 carries 244 yards 5 TDs rushing; 5-6-0 for 78 yards 1 TD passing; 4 INTs, 7 tackles

Marfa and Santa Anna lit up the score board in a back and forth battle with Marfa winning 94-79 in the last six-man game to go final Friday night.  Luna’s rushing stat line is only exceeded by his 4 INTs on defense which likely made the deference in the game for the Shorthorns.

Andy Sarmiento – Jonesboro – 5/5 PATs; 12 carries 96 yards 2 TDs rushing; 11 tackles

Lometa showed up and gave top East team Jonesboro a real scare in what was a near upset.  Jonesboro proved victories and Sarmiento played a big part in that as he filled in as a running back scoring 2 TDs on the ground, made 11 tackles on defense, and was a perfect 5 for 5 kicking PATs (scoring 22 total points for Jonesboro) which proved crucial in the Eagles 40-32 (8 point) win over Lometa.

Anthony Estrada – Knox City – 14 carries 124 yards 2 TDs rushing; 12-22-2 for 108 yards 3 TDs passing; 2 INTs

Estrada was key on both sides of the ball in Knox City big win over Ropes 65-54.  He had a hand in 5 touchdowns and had 2 key interceptions on the defensive side of the ball as well.

Manning Marsh – Weatherford Christian – 26 carries 418 yards 9 TDs rushing

Rushing:

Kason Vigil – White Deer – 24 carries 327 yards 5 TDs rushing; 1 catch 35 yards 1 TD receiving; 9 tackles

Cameron King – May – 18 carries 239 yards 2 TDs rushing; 1 catch 52 yards 1 TD receiving; 11 tackles

Kellen Everett – Cherokee – 19 carries 190 yards 3 TDs rushing; 9-16-2 for 183 yards 3 TDs passing; 4 tackles, 1 fumble recovery

Fernando Padron – Avalon – 25 carries 179 yards 2 TDs rushing; 3-3-0 for 63 yards 1 TD passing; 7 tackles

Corbin Sumner - Borden County - 11 carries 171 yards 2 TDs rushing; 1-1-0 for 16 yards passing; 1 catch 7 yards 1 TD receiving; 6 tackles, 2 INTs one returned for a TD

Morgan Whitfield – Iredell – 15 carries 145 yards 2 TDs rushing; 1 catch 41 yards 1 TD receiving; 17 tackles; 1 KO return for TD

Kyle Langford – Abbott – 18 carries 141 yards 3 TDs rushing; 7-8-0 for 96 yards 1 TD passing; 7 tackles, 1 INT

Gage Freeman – White Deer – 14 carries 141 yards 3 TDs rushing; 3-5 for 41 yards passing; 4 tackles

Hutton Lusty – Richland Springs – 3 carries 138 yards 3 TDs rushing; 1 catch 39 yards receiving; 11 tackles, 1 INT

Levi Martinez – Newcastle – 16 carries 136 yards 4 TDs rushing

Kyle Garcia – Balmorhea – 8 carries 132 yards 3 TDs rushing; 7 tackles, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery

Weston Cantrell – Abbott – 17 carries 129 yards 3 TDs rushing; 2 catches 27 yards receiving; 1 tackle

Tristan Garza – Petersburg – 5 carries 124 yards 2 TDs rushing; 4 tackles

Mikey Walker – Newcastle – 12 carries 108 yards 1 TD rushing; 11 tackles

Karson Bryan – Happy – 5 carries 90 yards 3 TDs rushing; 3 tackles; 1 punt return 59 yards for TD

Javier Aguilera – Crowell – 7 carries 74 yards 3 TDs rushing; 7 tackles

Preston Johnson – May – 14 carries 60 yards 2 TDs rushing

Passing:

Tristen Hayes – Crowell – 15-26-0 for 336 yards 5 TDs

Brayden Houser - Bryson - 23-36-1 for 255 yards 5 TDs passing; 12 carries 64 yards rushing

Trayton McLain – Nazareth – 12-18 for 241 yards 5 TDs

Trent McMillian – Garden City – 10-13-1 for 227 yards 5 TDs; 3 tackles, 1 INT

Adrian Benitez – Iredell – 7-10 for 153 yards 2 TDs passing

Wyatt Mote – May – 4-7 for 146 yards 2 TDs passing

Taron Smith – Milford – 5-5-0 for 132 yards 3 TDs passing; 5 carries 79 yards 1 TD rushing

Eric Smith – Avalon – 6-12-0 for 97 yards 1 TD passing; 4 carries 29 yards 1 TD rushing; 7 tackles

Gage Bozeman – Newcastle – 3-3-0 for 93 yards 2 TDs passing

Hunter Jones - Borden County - 5-6-0 for 91 yards 3 TDs passing

Jesse Garcia – Marfa – 3-6-0 for 89 yards 2 TDs passing

Preston Freeman – White Deer – 5-6 for 71 yards 2 TDs passing; 2 tackles

Marco Martinez – Balmorhea – 5-7-0 for 67 yards 4 TDs passing

Receiving:

Jaren Brooks – Grandfalls-Royalty – 11 catches 269 yards 7 TDs receiving

Ethan Goodwin – Garden City – 7 catches 135 yards 2 TDs receiving; 8 tackles

Salvador Roman – Marfa – 5 catches 114 yards 2 TDs receiving; 11 carries 111 yards 3 TDs rushing; 1-1-0 for 16 yards passing

Jake Waldo – Nazareth – 4 catches 102 yards 4 TDs

Skyler Hayes – Crowell – 4 catches 100 yards 1 TD; 8 tackles

Paul Davidson - Bryson - 7 catches 97 yards 4 TDs receiving; 1-2-0 for 43 yards 1 TD passing; 10 tackles

Colton Fowler – Iredell – 4 catches 94 yards 1 TD receiving; 7 tackles

Trace Richey - Borden County - 4 catches 81 yards 2 TDs receiving; 9 tackles, 1 INT returned for a TD

Jake Smith - Bryson - 3 catches 72 yards 2 TDs receiving; 2 tackles

Rhett Newton – Avalon – 4 catches 68 yards 1 TD receiving

Danny de la Pena – Crowell – 2 catches 67 yards 1 TD receiving; 6 carries 54 yards 1 TD rushing

Riley Eggemeyer – Garden City – 2 catches 64 yards 2 TDs receiving; 6 carries 26 yards 1 TD rushing; 5 tackles

Jacob Davidson – Avalon – 3 catches 57 yards 1 TD receiving; 15 tackles

Judson Sconce – Newcastle – 2 catches 57 yards 1 TD receiving

Ray Ray Arredondo – Cherokee – 1 catch 56 yards 1 TD; 2 tackles

Jaden Stringfellow – Iredell – 2 catches 52 yards 1 TD receiving

Josue Loyola – Abbott – 2 catches 51 yards 1 TD receiving; 7 tackles

Colt Carlise – Richland Springs – 2 catches 50 yards 2 TDs receiving; 12 tackles

Samuel Schnable – Knox City – 3 catches 50 yards 1 TD receiving

Josh Barnes – Jonesboro – 3 catches 50 yards receiving; 4 carries 49 yards rushing; 3 tackles

T Chaney – White Deer – 4 catches 44 yards 1 TD

Kohlton Harding – Cherokee – 2 catches 43 yards 1 TD; 8 tackles

Jordan Lilly – Cherokee – 1 catch 42 yards 1 TD receiving

Eric Carrasco – Balmorhea – 2 catches 40 yards 2 TDs

Special Teams:

Samuel Schnable – Knox City – 3 KO returns for 125 yards 1 TD

Andy Sarmiento – Jonesboro – 5/5 PATs

Karson Bryan – Happy – 1 punt return 59 yards for TD

Defense:

Dylan Reagan – Chillicothe – 4 INTs 2 returned 160 yards for 2 TDs; 9 tackles

Arron Luna – Marfa – 4 INTs, 7 tackles

Tony Balderas – Avalon – 17 tackles, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble

Morgan Whitfield – Iredell – 17 tackles

Daniel Salinas – May – 15 tackles

Jacob Davidson – Avalon – 15 tackles

Nathan Davis – Abbott – 15 tackles

Marcos Mendoza – Balmorhea – 12 tackles, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery

Colt Carlise – Richland Springs – 12 tackles

Hutton Lusty – Richland Springs – 11 tackles, 1 INT

Alex Argott – Iredell – 11 tackles, 1 fumble recovery

Andy Sarmiento – Jonesboro – 11 tackles

Jose Gallegos – Marfa – 11 tackles

Cesar Chavez – Garden City – 11 tackles

Mikey Walker – Newcastle – 11 tackles

Yovahn Marroquin – Petersburg – 10 tackles, 1 fumble recovery

Trace Richey - Borden County - 9 tackles, 1 INT returned for TD

Jarvis Harris – Milford – 9 tackles

Tyler Durham – Crowell – 8 tackles, 1 INT, 1 fumble recovery

Mathew Urbanovsky – Abbott – 8 tackles, 1 INT

Colton McCarley – Happy – 8 tackles, 1 safety

1A Sixman Rankings - DII - Final

By: Randy Savage Jr. 

Division II

Final Regular Season

Rank	Team
1	Richland Springs
2	Calvert
3	Balmorhea
4	Crowell
5	Milford
6	Valley
8	Strawn
7	Amherst
9	Follett
11	Guthrie
12	Sands
10	Loraine
15	Petersburg
18	Grandfalls-Royalty
13	Oakwood
14	Aspermont
19	Jayton
16	Motley County
21	Lefors
17	Dawson
26	Panther Creek
22	Highland
24	Iredell
20	Walnut Springs
29	Throckmorton
35	Grady
28	Moran
23	Rule
25	Lueders-Avoca
27	Cherokee
31	Chillicothe
30	Groom
36	Silverton
37	Mount Calm
34	Whitharral
40	Southland
38	Blackwell
32	Fort Elliott
33	Woodson
41	Oglesby
39	Trinidad
43	Mullin
42	Brookesmith
44	Kress
46	Wilson
47	Sanderson
55	Wellman-Union
51	Benjamin
45	Prairie Lea
49	Trent
48	Cotton Center
52	Lazbuddie
54	Rising Star
50	Cranfills Gap
56	Gustine
53	Buckholts
58	Loop
57	Higgins
63	Sierra Blanca
62	Morgan
61	Patton Springs
60	Sidney
59	Rochelle
67	Hedley
64	Northside
66	Paint Creek
65	Dell City
68	Lohn
69	Harrold

1A Sixman Rankings - DI - Final

By: Randy Savage Jr. 

Division I

Final Regular Season

Rank	Team
1	Happy
2	Borden County
3	Jonesboro
4	Garden City
5	May
6	Ira
7	Sterling City
8	Zephyr
9	Meadow
10	Union Hill
11	Westbrook
12	New Home
13	Knox City
14	Nazareth
15	Abbott
16	Newcastle
17	Coolidge
18	Ropes
19	Buena Vista
20	Gorman
21	Gordon
22	Santa Anna
23	Paducah
24	Robert Lee
25	Spur
26	Blum
27	White Deer
28	Avalon
29	Bryson
29	Lingleville
30	McLean
31	Hermleigh
32	O'Donnell
33	Tioga
35	Anton
36	Aquilla
37	Blanket
38	Whiteface
39	High Island
40	Gholson
41	Lorenzo
42	Marfa
43	Veribest
44	Rotan
45	Leverett's Chapel
46	Hart
47	Lometa
48	Evant
49	Penelope
50	Apple Springs
51	Eden
52	Klondike
53	Water Valley
54	Medina
55	Forestburg
56	Rankin
57	Savoy
58	Chester
59	Fannindel
60	Covington
61	Nueces Canyon
62	Saint Jo
63	Paint Rock
64	Gold-Burg
65	Fruitvale
66	Miami
67	Fort Davis
68	Kopperl
69	Bynum
70	Irving Universal Academy