Mineral Wells takes 4-0 record to Godley for final non-district game
By DAVID MAY / Special to Mineral Wells Area News
It was a great week for Palo Pinto County high school football teams as Mineral Wells, Gordon, Santo and Strawn each won their games.
Here is a review and preview as we head toward the Week 5 games:
Mineral Wells Rams at Godley
DAVID MAY PHOTO
The 4-0 Rams travel to Godley (2-2) for a 7 p.m. kickoff on Friday. They will be looking to turn around its recent turnover problems.
This is Mineral Wells’ last non-district contest before District 3-4A-2 play begins in two weeks. Mineral Wells will take a bye next week. The Godley contest is the team’s last chance to clean up some issues before the games really count.
Fortunately, the Ram’s six turnovers the last two weeks have not cost them games, but once district action begins, such errors become more magnified and potentially more damaging. Losing the turnover battle is typically not a winning formula.
The Rams turned the ball over four times (three fumbles, one interception) last Thursday against Quinlan Ford in a span of about 18 minutes of the first half, but still carried a six-point lead into halftime and won the game at Choctaw Stadium, 34-28.
The win was thanks to a defense that, despite under pressure and on the field for too many snaps, minimized the potential damage from the turnovers. The unit led by Trent Yowell Jr., Jackson Hicks, Josh Petrie and others is playing at a high level four games into the season.
Likewise, the offense is capable of controlling a game with long scoring drives mixed with explosive big plays running and passing, deploying a lot of weapons at the coaching staff’s ready. Kayden Montalvo and PR Mendez form a dynamic 1-2 punch in the run game while 6-foot-5 Texas Tech receiver commit Preztynn Harrison is a deep scoring threat each time the ball is thrown his way.
Clean up the turnovers and the Rams are a dangerous team. Mineral Wells is outscoring opponents by an average of 40-15 points per game.
The Wildcats have played three straight road games, winning two. They opened the season at home, losing to Alvarado, 48-21. They since have wins over Paradise (17-9) and Life Waxahachie (55-9) sandwiched around a loss at Stephenville (45-0).
Senior quarterback Wyatt Burke leads the Wildcats offense. He has five passing touchdowns on the year and 853 yards through the air. He has 955 total yards with a 65 percent completion percentage (70-of-107) with five interceptions.
Godley’s leading rusher is junior Adam Pempsell who has 220 yards on 54 carries on four games. He has two of the team’s five rushing touchdowns. Godley has two receivers with over 200 yards in receptions, seniors Tanner Bruton and Blane Applegate.
The Wildcats average 120.25 yards rushing per game and 219.25 passing yards. They have been outscored 93-111 in their four outings.
Gordon Longhorns vs. Covenant
What else can you say about the nation’s top-ranked sixman high school football team?
The ‘Horns (4-0) eased past Nazarene Christian on Friday, 52-0. The game ended at halftime.
The defending Class 1A-1 champions have won 31 of its last 32 games, including 19 straight all by the 45-point mercy rule. The junior-laden squad plays fast with an explosive offense and disciplined defense, swarming ball carriers and often unleashing huge hits.
Gordon this Friday hosts Fort Worth Covenant Classical (2-1). Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Strawn Greyhounds vs. Zephyr
The Greyhounds posted an impressive home win Friday, bucking the Bryson Cowboys, 56-27, to improve to 2-2 and showing why they are not only a legitimate contender for the District 9-1A-2 title, but also a team capable of a deep playoff run.
Strawn will back in Greyhounds Stadium this week, facing a test from undefeated Zephyr (4-0). Kickoff for the non-district tilt is set for 7:30 p.m.
The Bulldogs are coming off a 48-16 victory over winless Lingleville. Zephyr also has wins over Veribest, Blackwell and Gorman. They average 48 points game while allowing an average of 18 points per game. Zephyr’s opponents are a combined 4-11 on the season.
Strawn has faced a far more difficult schedule. They traveled to Montana to open the season with a big win before falling to sixman powerhouses Knox City and Gordon. Strawn has two more non-district games before opening district action against Throckmorton.
Santo Wildcats at Millsap
The Class 2A Santo Wildcats continue rebounding from their disappointing 2023 season, standing at 3-1 on the year after Friday’s 24-21 win over Rio Vista.
Santo has one more non-district game this Friday, visiting Millsap (1-3) in a 7:30 p.m. contest. The Wildcats will then take next week off before opening District 8-2A-2 action hosting Era.
Community Christian School at Thesa JV
The private school sixman Warriors were forced to forfeit last Friday’s non-district game and are now 3-2 on the year, with one of the losses coming in Texas Association of Independent Athletic Organizations-District 3 action.
CCS is scheduled to play at Thesa JV at 6 p.m. Thursday in non-district action.