PALO PINTO COUNTY AREA – Several of our local teams found themselves in the winner’s circle after week two of high school football.
Mineral Wells Rams
The Rams found themselves on top for the second week in a row, after another big win over Iowa Park, 36-6. Both sides of the ball were strong and efficient with multiple Rams making an impact.
Leading the offense, second year quarterback Owen Gadd threw for 7-of-11 passing, throwing a touchdown pass and running in one of his own. He finished the game with 151 total yards. His highlight reel pass to Preztynn Harrison in the second quarter for a 71-yard touchdown was a crowd favorite. Harrison caught for 114 yards, leading all receivers on his three catches. Also getting in on the receiving game was Jaidun Fisher who caught three passes for 21 yards, and Kadin Kaspar who caught a 16-yard pass as well. Kaspar just missed scoring a touchdown on the opening kickoff where he ran it to the endzone but was called back due to a penalty.
Despite the error by the Rams, they used that to fuel their opening drive, where Kayden Montalvo capped it off with a short run score, his first of two on the night. Montalvo finished the night off with two touchdowns, and 110 yards, only to be outrun by fellow senior running back, PR Mendez, who ran for 119 yards, leading all rushers. Mendez’s highlight of the night came in the first quarter, when he scored a 64-yard touchdown run.
The defense, which has been equally as effective in the Rams first two games, holding opponents to 20 points so far, came up big against the Hawks. Several Rams found the stat sheet, with 11 recording tackles. Garrison Facteau had nine tackles, leading total tackles. But the defensive standout of the game was Trent Yowell with five total tackles, a tackle for lost yards, and a sack. Adding to the defense was Josh Petrie with seven tackles, and Montalvo with three tackles, a sack and a tackle for loss.
Millsap Bulldogs
The Bulldogs put on a performance for their home fans as they took the field on their new turf, by the generosity of the Durant Family. The Bulldogs seem well adapted to the new field, as they even out their record 1-1, earning their first win of the season after a tough loss to Hamilton in week one.
Millsap racked up 536 yards on offense, where they scored 42 points on Dublin. Leading the ‘Dawgs in yardage was quarterback C.R. Tippie with 270 passing yards, and 114 rushing yards. Tippie threw for three touchdowns and rushed for one as well in the week two win. On the receiving end of those touchdown passes was Conner Penry with two touchdowns and 114 yards, and Nixon Delaune with a touchdown catch and 70 yards.
The run game was solid for the Bulldogs as well, with three different ‘Dawgs scoring touchdowns on the ground. Reid Green, Tippie, and Xavier Aguire each scored a touchdown with a combined 326 yards.
Santo Wildcats
Santo was all set for their home opener, with a new turf field as well, then it started raining. The new field wasn’t able to be maintained in time for the Friday night kickoff for the ‘Cats, so after some last minute calls, the Wildcats found themselves at Ram Stadium in Mineral Wells to host Valley View.
The obstacles didn’t seem to slow down the ‘Cats, as they trampled the Eagles in a shut out victory 47-0. After a week on the road, they look to officially play on their home field in week four, Friday, September 20 when they match up with Rio Vista.
Gordon Longhorns
The Longhorns haven’t lost a beat, as they find themselves on a 17-game winning streak, stemming from last season. They hosted the Valley Patriots in a Saturday afternoon game, and came out with yet another win by mercy, 68-6.
Gordon has already surpassed 100 points on the season, with a total offense of 119 points, versus their opponents 12, allowing only six points in each of this season’s games.
Strawn Greyhounds
Unfortunately for the Greyhounds, they found themselves on the losing end of week two, after a big win in week one in Montana.
Week two wasn’t as nice to Strawn as they faced a tough Knox City team on the road. They look to turn things around and forget about this week two loss.
Community Christian Warriors
CCS finds themselves undefeated after two weeks of play after a win over Bluff Dale JV last week. Leading the Warriors this season is Hayden Yelverton with eight total touchdowns, followed by Jace Little with seven, and Kayson Gaston with two. Yelverton is the leader in the ground game, rushing 179 yards per game, and third in the receiving stats, with 41 yards per game. Leading the recievers is Jace Little with 48 yards per game.
Yelverton and Little, along with River Bryan also lead the defense in tackles per game. Yelverton with 10 tackles per game, Bryan and Little each with 9.5 per game. Little also has three interceptions already this season.
