Mineral Wells Area News

Success runs throughout ‘Horns football program with JV, junior high and youth teams

By DAVID MAY / Special to Mineral Wells Area News

GORMAN – Ry Reed, Stryker Reed and Brayden Walters each scored twice and the Gordon Longhorns completed a scoreless sweep of their district foes while claiming a second consecutive district title Thursday night by cruising past Gorman, 52-0.

Once again, the ‘Horns (10-0, 4-0) ended a contest at the halftime break via the Texas six-man 45-point mercy rule. The win marked Gordon’s fourth-straight defensive shutout and the sixth in its last seven games. Gordon outscored its four district opponents 221-0.

The defending Class 1A-1 state champions have won 25 straight games and 37 of their last 38 games stretching back to the 2022 season.

While Gordon clinched the District 13-1A-1 title with the win, the loss knocked Gorman from post-season contention, with Baird taking second place and advancing.

The game was moved to Thursday because of a shortage of officials available to work games.

The ‘Horns await the outcome of Friday’s Jonesboro vs. May game to determine which team they will face in next week’s bi-district round of the playoffs.

Ry Reed was in the mix on Gordon’s first two touchdowns on the night. He threw a 30-yard pass to Stryker Reed (no relation) for the first score, then scored on a 17-yard run. Quarterback Noah Kostiha found Walters for a 32-yard passing touchdown, which was followed by Stryker Reed throwing a 65-yard scoring touchdown to Asher Salinas.

Gordon added three more TDs in the second quarter. Stryker Reed ran in from 5 yards out before Walters’ 46-yard romp into the end zone. Ry Reed scored the game’s last touchdown on a 70-yard pick and score.

Much success

Gordon Athletics Director and head football coach Mike Reed noted the success Gordon’s other football teams have had this season, which bodes well for the future of the school’s program.

He said the junior varsity squad, coached by Jesse Hallmark, lost just once, to Jacksboro, and finished the year as district champs while the junior high team, coached by Ligon West, also finished as district champs with just one loss.

A couple of decorated Gordon alums are leading their youth squads to success, Reed said. The fifth/sixth-grade team is playing in the semifinals of their league playoffs. That team is coached by Jason Sizemore, the Longhorns’ 1996 Offensive MVP and part of the Class 1A state championship team that season.

The third/fourth-grade team is coached by Lyle Campbell, who played on the 1999 state champion Gordon team, was state MVP that year and went to play college football at Dartmouth. Likewise, his young ‘Horns are also in the semifinals of their league’s playoffs.