Mineral Wells Area News

Both teams look to claim district titles in Friday’s regular-season finales

By DAVID MAY / Special to Mineral Wells Area News

The Gordon Longhorns and Strawn Greyhounds extended their 2024 football seasons Friday with halftime mercy-rule victories.

Both teams can lock up their respective district titles on Friday.

Gordon 62, Baird 0

The Class 1A-1 top-ranked Gordon Longhorns baked Baird’s bread with a game called at halftime because of six-man football’s 45-point rule.

The defending state champion ‘Horns improved to 9-0 on the year and 3-0 in District 13. Gordon has won 24 straight games and 36 of their last 37 outings.

Ry Reed scored three rushing touchdowns on three carries totaling 120 yards on the night. Quarterback Noah Kostiha and spread back Stryker Reed were each 3-of-4 passing, throwing two touchdowns each. One of Reed’s passing scores went to Kostiha on a throwback. Reed also had a receiving touchdown. Asher Salinas caught two touchdowns.

Ry Reed had touchdown runs of 20, 70 and 30 yards. Kostiha threw for 104 yards as the ‘Horns amassed 286 total yards on just 14 plays.

Evan Jackson closed out the game’s scoring by returning a Bears fumble 5 yards for a score. Kicker Juan Cabrera was 7-of-8 on points-after conversions.

Gordon ends the season Friday at Gorman, which is 2-1 in district (4-5 overall) after routing Ranger, 53-6, on Friday. Baird is 3-1 (7-3 overall) after concluding its regular season. Baird defeated Gorman and seemingly has second place and a playoff spot secured.

A Gorman win over Gordon would leave all three teams at 3-1 in district, with two playoff spots at stake.

Strawn 62, Moran 0

Strawn and Woodson will play for the District 9-1A-2 title, with the loser finishing runner-up but both teams making the post-season.

Strawn dismantled Moran, 62-0, on Friday to improve to 6-2 on the year and 2-0 in district. Woodson claimed a forfeited win over Throckmorton to improve to 2-0 in district, 6-3 on the year.

The ‘Hounds scored 46 first-quarter points, dominating Moran on both sides of the ball. Defensively, Strawn hounded Moran’s quarterback, who was repeatedly sacked and tackled for losses to end up with negative 62 yards rushing. The Bulldogs (1-8, 0-2) fumbled three times and suffered two interceptions in the game called at halftime.

Woodson travels to Strawn for Friday’s regular-season finale. Kickoff at Greyhounds Stadium is set for 7:30 p.m.

Lindsay 49, Santo 14

For the second straight year, the Santo Wildcats will miss post-season after their 49-14 loss Friday at Lindsay.

The loss left the Wildcats at 4-5 on the year and 1-3 in District 8-2A-2.

Santo needed to beat the Knights to keep their playoff hopes alive, but they now sit in fifth place one game back of Era and Lindsay, with one game left in the regular season. Santo also lost to Era.

It won’t be an easy home and season finale with Collinsville coming to town this Friday. The No. 2-ranked Pirates are 8-1 overall, 3-1 in district in second place behind top-ranked Muenster, which defeated the Pirates to win the district crown.

Kickoff Friday at Wildcats Stadium is 7 p.m.

Grayson Christian 60, CCS 43

The Community Christian School Warriors couldn’t quite keep pace with Grayson Christian, ending up on the short end of 60-43 contest Friday.

CCS sits at 6-5 on the year and 1-2 in TAIAO Division 3-North. Grayson Christian improved to 4-1 and recorded a season-high in points.

Senior Jace Little rushed for 154 yards and junior Helden Yelverton ran for 121 yards with two touchdowns to go with 49 receiving yards and a score. Yelverton was no stranger to the big play, turning on the jets for a run that went for 55 yards. Little had a touchdown receiving with 49 yards on four catches.

CCS had 234 yards passing, with freshman Parker Dehls going 12-of-23 for 131 yards with four touchdowns, but he also suffered two interceptions. Senior Jace Little was 9-of-12 for 103 yards with one touchdown.

CCS is scheduled to host Hill County on Friday, a team the Warriors defeated 53-6 two weeks ago.